Recipes

(Recipe) Kniepertjes – A dutch new year’s tradition

26
dec
Sweet potato soup vegan

Kniepertjes are thin, crisp wafers traditionally baked in the eastern and northern parts of the Netherlands around New Year. They are simple in ingredients, yet rich in meaning.

For many families, baking kniepertjes is not just about food. It is about gathering in the kitchen, sharing time, and passing on a tradition that connects generations.

The symbolism behind kniepertjes

Kniepertjes are closely linked to the transition from the old year to the new.

  • On New Year’s Eve, kniepertjes are eaten flat.
    They symbolise the year that has passed — finished, open, and fully known.

  • On New Year’s Day, the same wafers are rolled into small tubes.
    These represent the year ahead — still empty, still open, waiting to be filled with new experiences.

This quiet symbolism makes kniepertjes a meaningful part of the New Year celebration.

(Recipe) Traditional Kniepertjes

Ingredients

(Makes approx. 30–40 wafers)

  • 250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour

  • 250 g (1¼ cups) sugar

  • 2 eggs

  • 125 g (½ cup) butter, melted

  • 250 ml (1 cup) water

  • A small pinch of salt

Optional:

  • Vanilla or aniseed, depending on family tradition

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar and salt.

  2. Add the eggs and melted butter and stir well.

  3. Slowly add the water while mixing, until you have a smooth, thin batter.
    The batter should be pourable, similar to pancake batter.

  4. Let the batter rest for at least 30 minutes.

  5. Heat a kniepertjes iron or a thin waffle iron.

  6. Pour a small amount of batter into the iron and bake until the wafer is light golden and crisp.

  • Serve flat on New Year’s Eve.

  • Roll carefully while still warm for New Year’s Day.

Allow the kniepertjes to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.

A tradition worth keeping

Kniepertjes remind us that the turn of the year does not need to be loud or rushed. Sometimes, it is the quiet rituals — baked, shared, and remembered — that stay with us the longest.

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