Top 15 Belgian Desserts
Belgium is known for some of the best chocolate in the world, so you would expect chocolate to feature in some of their amazing desserts. The country is also known for their waffles, which are a fabulous dessert of their very own. You will also have heard of Belgian beer, some of the best, but, it’s ok, there are no Belgian beer desserts on this list!
If you don’t know a lot about Belgian cuisine, and, let’s face it, few people do, getting stuck into their desserts is a great way to become acquainted. And you can do this to scale as the Belgians believe their desserts don’t end up in the stomach; they go straight to your heart.
1. Lukken
Probably the most well-known of Belgian desserts is the waffle. Though “the” waffle is somewhat inaccurate as there are probably more waffle recipes in Belgium than just about anywhere else.
The lukken waffle is a little bit special, though, reserved for occasions such as New Year, when families get together to make them and then give them away for good luck – a particular tradition in West Flanders.
What makes them so special is that they contain more sugar than most other waffles, making them crisp, caramelized, and long-lasting. Of course, back in the day, sugar was expensive so these little delicacies became associated with the nobility.
While they are not so exclusive today, they have retained their specialty status.
2. Chocolate mousse
Producing some of the best chocolate in the world, Belgium also gave us the chocolate mouse. So you can expect Belgian mousse to be one of the best, and it rarely disappoints.
Made with luxurious dark chocolate, whipped cream, and eggs, a good chocolate mousse is light and airy and melts in your mouth. Just the thing after a delicious dinner.
3. Rice Pudding
Rice pudding everywhere tends to be associated with simple, rural life. This is no different in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking north of Belgium, which has the folkloric saying “heaven welcomes you with bottomless bowls of rijstpap and golden spoons”.
Belgian rice pudding, or rijstpap, gets its hue from the straight-from-the-cow milk traditionally used to make it. Today, the color is helped along with saffron and the dish is flavored with cinnamon as well as vanilla.
It is thicker than a rice pudding you might expect at home, more of a porridgy consistency, and it is not as sweet. Though, it is common to thickly dust it with dark brown sugar, which slowly melts into a molasses-type syrup.
Truly a dessert made in heaven!
4. Knapkoek
This little sugary treat evolved in the Meuse valley when Maaseik was a port for inland navigation vessels. The dry biscuit, cooked on a high heat, lasts for a long time so was ideal for taking on board ship. It’s dryness led also to its name – knap = snap – which it does when you break one in half.
5. Chocolate Truffles
When you make such delicious chocolate, you devise delicious things to do with it. And that continues to evolve today with over 2,000 Belgian choclatiers, producing the great classics and artisan treats.
Belgian truffles are some of the finest, of course, and you’ll find plenty to choose from on a visit to the country. Why not a truffle tour of Brussels!
Chocolate ganache, cooled a little and dipped in luscious melted chocolate, then rolled in chocolate flakes – it’s a crunchy chocolate praline with a soft chocolate filling. Heaven, for short.
6. Waffles
How do you like to eat your fresh fruit, cream, chocolate sauce and syrup? On a waffle of course. Waffle stands abound on the streets and offer just about any topping you please.
For some, the sight of a waffle topped with sliced banana, a mountain of cream, drizzled with a thick chocolate sauce, and dotted with blueberries is just too much to bare. For others, it’s the waffle itself.
The naked waffle – crispy and golden with pockets of crunchy sugar. A simple and more-ish delight.
7. Liers Vlaaike
Liers Vlaaike, or “little pie from Leirs”, is a truly little pie, measuring 5-6 cm round and 3 cm high. But it has a big history, going back 300 years and through various iterations. Today, the product is protected under the Order of Leirs Vlaaike, which ensures it is produced to an agreed traditional recipe – kept in secret behind the closed doors of Lier’s town hall – and that it’s only produced in that Flemish town.
The filling for the little pastry cups is made with milk, syrup, breadcrumbs, flour, and spices – cloves, cinnamon, coriander and nutmeg. The result is a combination of crunchy crust and soft, sweet, and spicy filling.
8. Cuberdon
Belgians affectionately call these “little noses”, given their shape, and enjoy them in pineapple, Amaretto, lime, cherry, apple, violet, champagne, banana, and wild fruits flavors. But the original were made from natural Arabic gum and flavored with raspberry, giving them the purple color.
They are very sweet, since they are mainly sugar, are hard on the outside and have a gooey centre. Grab a bag to accompany you while sightseeing.
9. Mattentaart uit Geraardsbergen
Another dessert with a long history are these Mattentaart, which are said to have originated in the Middle Ages. They feature in famous paintings by Pieter Brueghel, and to honor their historic significance, a day at the end of April is put by to celebrate them in Geraardsbergen, the place where it all started.
Mattentaart is rather like a cheesecake wrapped in puff pastry. The filling is made with egg, almonds, milk and buttermilk, which have been allowed to curdle. They taste super and the buttermilk gives them a slight tang.
10. Speculaas
Speculaas are often referred to as Belgian gingerbread, but they are much more. Made with wheat flour, brown sugar, and butter, they are flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamon, cloves, and ginger – this thanks to the Dutch East India company that brought the spices from the Middle East.
These lovely spicey cookies are stamped with designs, usually Christmas themed, and were traditionally eaten on special occasions. They are eaten all through the year now, though, so there’s no chance of missing out whenever you visit.
11. Bread Pudding
This is thought of as a typical British pudding – but, in fact, is said to have originated in Belgium. It is probably the most hearty, homey, soul food you can find and well worth looking out for if you are in Belgium in the winter.
With wet and windy winter days averaging between 37 and 44° F, what better way to warm up than with a steaming portion of bread pudding topped with ice cream.
12. Bresilienne Taart
Not all Belgian desserts have a long history. The bresilienne taart originated in Wallonia in the 1970s and quickly took on throughout the country. It is now one of the most popular cakes in Belgium and you can find it in almost every bakery.
And it is well worth seeking out as this leavened dough is covered with a generous layer of pastry cream, or crème pâtissière, which is covered with whipped cream, which is sprinkled with caramalized and ground roasted hazelnuts and almonds – the bresilienne.
13. Advocaat
Ok, so this is a liquor, not a dessert. But it goes well in desserts, so think of it as an ingredient.
Of course, you may just want to add some brandy and sugar to a glass of advocaat and drink it up on a cold winter’s day. But in Belgium, you’ll find it poured into a chocolate cup, from which you can spoon it out before downing the cup. Or you can find it added to cakes and pastries.
However you prefer your Advocaat, it is as delicious as it is distinctive.
14. Chocolate Moelleux
Now, we know this is a French creation, although which French chef devised it is disputed. But the best, most luxurious chocolate moelleux is made with Belgian chocolate. And probably because of their love and pride in Belgian chocolate, and likely because almost half the population speak the French language, the Belgians have taken this delectable cake as one of their very own.
What could be better than a velvety chocolate cake, warm from the oven, that oozes melted chocolate? Rich and delectable, it is an after-dinner winner.
15. Oliebollen
Ah! Donuts. Go to a funfair and follow your nose to find stalls that serve these lovely balls of deep fried dough.
Served in conical bags and dusted with powdered sugar, they are the ultimate treat to finish off the day and to finish off this list of wonderful Belgian desserts.
Related: Most Popular Belgian Foods
