Nan makes her dutch letters with LOTS of yummy moist real almond paste filling inside. But it also had practical benefits: Each sweet is constructed from just one piece of dough, making it sturdier than letters with joints. 6 Dutch Letters, 1 Pkg. Knead the dough 10 times by pressing and pushing dough together to form a rough-looking ball, lifting pastry … My husband request these as he spent time out in Pella, Iowa freqently before we were married and discovered them in the Jaarsma Bakery on the square. In a small bowl, whisk together remaining egg and milk; set egg wash aside. Dutch Letter Cookies??? A delightful gift for any occasion. They are unbelievable! Thank you for shopping with Vander Ploeg Bakery! I'd never even heard of Dutch letters until I moved to Des Moines, Iowa. The recipe is from the wonderful magazine Our Iowa -- the June/July 2010 edition, and it was submitted by B. Weiser. As you can see, the Pella Dutch letters are shaped like an "S," but I read last year in the Des Moines Register that the home bakers in Pella actually make Dutch letters in any shape. Cut dough crosswise into 4 equal pieces. Here's HER description as written in the magazine, "My family is Dutch, and my aunt passed down her traditional Dutch letter recipe to me. Apparently they are one of the things to get when you go to the Pella Tulip Time Tulip Festival in May. In a small bowl, mix 1 egg with 1 cup cold water and add to flour-butter mixture; stir to form a loose dough. ADDRESS. Though the letters are still made using Harmon's recipe, they're no longer shaped by hand; after almost a century, the Jaarsmas commissioned a machine that takes six people to run and can churn out hundreds of the treats an hour, each nearly a foot long if stretched out. At an Iowa bakery, it's Christmas every day with these Dutch treats. Dutch Letter Box (1 Dozen) Price $45.00. Iowa Letters: Dutch Immigrants on the American Frontier Johannes Stellingwerff Snippet view - 2004. Each Dutch Letter is an "S" shaped puff pastry about eight inches tall, with moist almond paste filling, baked to golden perfection and sprinkled with a touch of sugar. Robert P. Swierenga, editor. unsalted butter, cut into 1/2" slices and chilled. Price $39.00. secret – the most incredible dutch bakery on this side of the Atlantic. "He'll die, he'll love it so much; I'll look like his ma.'' So, I have not been to the actual store yet, however I have purchased the Dutch Letters at a local market near me several times. FREE Shipping on All Orders $25+! Wrap dough with plastic wrap and chill 1 hour. Like us on FACEBOOK. Rotate rectangle 90°; repeat rolling and folding technique. Common terms and phrases. From SAVEUR Issue #143 When I was a kid, the winter holiday meant a 20-hour drive from my family's home in the Carolinas to my grandmother's in Des Moines, Iowa. Roll dough into a 12. Of course, Van Hemert’s isn’t the only Dutch Bakery in Iowa – though it may be the best. Transfer dough to a floured work surface, and knead until dough comes together, about 10 strokes. Dutch Letters WOW! Dutch letters: Iowa's quintessential treat This story is a part of the Iowa Pride series. 105 22. The alphabet-shaped cookies were a natural fit for St. Nicholas, who is also the patron saint of students. Brush each pastry with egg wash and sprinkle liberally with sugar. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. I, … Uncover; and repeat rolling and folding technique twice more. The Story Behind This Iowa Bakery Is Truly Incredible. Price $39.00. In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt; add butter and toss until flour evenly coats butter. These dutch letter bars are addicting and delicious! Roll dough into a 15" x 10" rectangle. Check out our Online Orders page to have our wonderful Dutch treats delivered to you. 711 Franklin Street. Add remaining egg white and the sugars, and beat until smooth, 1-2 minutes; set filling aside. Growing up in Iowa, you become accustom to the seasonal trips to Pella and the delicious Dutch Letters from Jaarsma Bakery. Twelve of our famous Dutch Letters. Pie Amidst the Pomp: The Dessert That Could’ve, Should’ve Been at Biden’s Inaugural Luncheon, How to Make Menestra, Spain’s Most Unsung Comfort Food, 15 Excellent Asian Dishes for a Lunar New Year Celebration, Caldo Verde (Portuguese Potato and Collard Green Soup With Chouriço), How One Peruvian Chef Is Preserving Amazonian Food Traditions, The Truth About Natural Wine and Hangovers, Beyond Champagne: The Best Sparkling Wines Under $50, This Forgotten Cult Dessert is Still a New York Signature, This Holiday Season, Treat Yourself to Vintage Champagne, 1 lb. In Holland, the treats are called banketletters (named for the type of dough used in this sweet) and are eaten on December 5 for Sinterklaas Eve, when Dutch Santa Claus delivers presents to youngsters. The recipe for these flaky, almond-filled pastries is based on one from Jaarsma's Bakery in Pella, Iowa. Paul Van Patten Dec 2016 . Saveur may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. More In Minnesota and Iowa (USA) we still give pastry Dutch letters as gifts…on Christmas Eve…they correspond with the families last names. 13,822 Views. After all, that is the best part. And here as well, Christmas is the only time you will find them at Dutch bakeries throughout the midwest. Creme Horns Filled with our own Holland creme. Copyright © 2021 Saveur. Fold up the 2 short sides of rectangle so they meet in middle, and then fold dough like a book. All rights reserved. Here's HER description as written in the magazine, My family is Dutch, and my aunt passed down her traditional Dutch letter recipe to me. They were a near perfect delicacy, their sole flaw being that they came only in S's, and not as a girl named Katie would have preferred, in K's. Customer Service. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Though that's probably more cookie than a small girl should tackle, I'd down one with ease, savoring the ends where the almond paste had oozed out. Pages Businesses Media/News Company The Des Moines Register Videos Dutch letters: Iowa's quintessential treat. 844.344.0031 I had never tried a Dutch letter until a couple years ago. These are made with cinnamon and sugar baked into layers of puff pastry dough and are lightly glazed These traditional pastries are light and airy and are filled with a delicious marzipan filling. Worth a stop but the regulars take up a lot of chairs. Date of visit: September 2019. I used to make them all the time, but they take a lot of time. We make our puff pastry from scratch every day to assure the quality of our products. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. But now I'm hooked! The Dutch Oven Bakery does a great job of taking care of your sweet tooth. All rights reserved. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, beat almond paste and 1 egg white on medium-high speed of a hand mixer until smooth. Dutch Country General Store is home to country vintage style, shop Mennonite & Amish made quilts, Rada Cutlery, reclaimed wood furniture, bulk candy & more! Pella, Iowa – Dutch Influence Distinctive yet quaint is a perfect way to describe the small town of Pella, Iowa. Transfer to a rack and let cool for 20 minutes before serving. This recipe lets you replicate the Dutch Letter with out the trip. Pella, Iowa … They make fantastic peanut brittle for the holidays. Transfer 1 dough piece to a lightly floured work surface, chilling remaining 3 pieces. These dutch letter bars are addicting and delicious! Even in this current computer age, lot’s of letters are still written on paper… Either handwritten or printed. "I can't wait to send the pictures to Dad,'' she said with a giggle. Dutch Settlers in Northwest Iowa 103. continued for many years, strengthening the ethnic and agrarian character of the northwest Iowa colony. Jaarsma's Dutch Letters. HOURS. Pecan Crispies An old fashioned favorite loaded with pecans, cinnamon and sugar. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. At Nan’s Nummies we believe that food is one of the greatest pleasures of life. Pella, Iowa 50219. Bake, rotating baking sheets once halfway through cooking, until golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Jeff Wichhart. Reply. In the Netherlands letterbanket are traditionally eaten on Sinterklaasavond on December 5, where they are shaped in the initials of family members. Iowa Letters: Dutch Immigrants On The American Frontier (Historical Series of the Reformed Church in America (HSRCA)) [Johan Stellingwerff, Robert P. Swierenga] on Amazon.com. Heat oven to 375°. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for 20 minutes. of White Walnut Bars. of Dutch Spice Cookies, 1 Pkg. The modern Dutch alphabet consists of the 26 letters of the ISO basic Latin alphabet and is used for the Dutch language.Five (or six) letters are vowels and 21 (or 20) letters are consonants.The letter E is the most frequently used letter in the Dutch alphabet. Professional letters, personal letters… letters all over the world still manage to find their way. Welcome to Nan’s Nummies. The least frequently used letters are Q and X.In some aspects, the digraph IJ behaves as a single letter. Remove from baking sheet; cool on racks. They make authentic dutch letters, cookies, donuts, sweet rolls, breads, etc. A Bonnier Corporation Company. Des Moines Register. Dutch Letters are our specialty. We hand make and shape every single letter. 515.277.2201. Johan Stellingwerff. Repeat with remaining 3 dough portions and filling. We create desserts that bring back memories of favorite family traditions: luscious cupcakes, fantastic dutch letters and cookies and bars that play such a part of our Midwestern roots. Saveur may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Walter Lagerwey, translator. One of the most unique towns in Iowa is hiding a (poorly kept!) Before baking, the pastry ropes can be shaped to resemble alphabet letters, although the most common letter … Iowa Letters: Dutch Immigrants on the American Frontier. Homemade and handmade and from scratch- that’s what makes us stand apart from the rest! View Comments. Van Hemert’s Dutch Oven Bakery is located in Boone (605 Story St., Boone, IA 50036) and Ames (219 Duff Ave., Ames, IA 50010). While similar baked letters date back to the Middle Ages, the pastries did not become connected with the holiday until the 1800s, when the popular children's book St. Nicholas and His Servant inspired a renewed interest in the saint. Jaarsma's Bakery is probably the most popular bakery in Pella. Dutch Strip Same as the Dutch Letter, only half the size. Brush with water and sprinkle with additional granulated sugar. Revised translation of Amsterdamse Emigranten: onbekende brieven uit de prairie van Iowa, 1846-1873.Edited by Johan Stellingwerff. Susan Stapleton. Dutch Letter Pastries are one of the most beloved holiday desserts of all time. Quick View. Dutch Letters. SCS was ranked #1 in Iowa for grades 3 to 5 in a five-year longevity report in 2011 that … As members of Christian Schools International (CSI), we are expected to strive for, attain, and maintain high academic standards. We also make them in small batches. The best Dutch letters I can find come from Pella, Iowa. During Tulip Time, the central Iowa town of Pella shows off the greatest hits of Dutch culture, with acres of tulips, yards of lace and as many chocolates, cheeses and almond Dutch letters as anyone can eat. A Bonnier Corporation Company. Puff Pillows Holland creme filled puff pastry topped with rock sugar. … You can also enjoy a short breakfast or lunch menu with... coffee treats. I recently enjoyed these at a 4th of July celebration. Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery is a full-line scratch bakery offering a variety of delicious pastries, cakes, and other baked goods. The Des Moines Register. The Jaarsma family has been selling these flaky S-shaped pastries, filled with almond paste and sprinkled with crystallized sugar, since Harmon Jaarsma, an immigrant from Friesland in northern Holland, first opened the bakery in 1889. Harmon's decision to limit the banketletters to S's was in part to honor the holiday's namesake, says his great granddaughter Kristi Balk, who now runs the bakery. ... Iowa with her amazing husband, three girls, three … Pig's Ears Don't let the name fool ya! Here's a recipe that will let you make and enjoy them all year round. Iowa. 711 Franklin Street. The recipe for these flaky, almond-filled pastries is based on one from Jaarsma's Bakery in Pella, Iowa. Iowa Letters: Dutch Immigrants On The American Frontier (Historical Series of the Reformed Church in America (HSRCA)) These easy almond paste bars taste just like dutch letters, but are a super easy recipe to make. Reviewed September 28, 2019 via mobile . I can only imagine what all their other products are like. I recently enjoyed these at a 4th of July celebration. Family-owned and operated since 1983, we are famous for our Dutch Letters, Dutch Apple Bread and our award-winning wedding cakes. Our small class sizes allow for individual attention. Quick View. When I was a kid, the winter holiday meant a 20-hour drive from my family's home in the Carolinas to my grandmother's in Des Moines, Iowa. Though the trip was epic, as soon as we arrived, I'd insist that we get back in the car and drive 50 more miles east to Pella, Iowa, a town whose Dutch heritage was apparent in its old-fashioned windmill, in the wooden clogs in shop windows, and most important, in the old-world sweets at the Jaarsma Bakery. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured pastry cloth. Repeat with remaining dough strips and filling. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Pie Amidst the Pomp: The Dessert That Could’ve, Should’ve Been at Biden’s Inaugural Luncheon, How to Make Menestra, Spain’s Most Unsung Comfort Food, 15 Excellent Asian Dishes for a Lunar New Year Celebration, Caldo Verde (Portuguese Potato and Collard Green Soup With Chouriço), How One Peruvian Chef Is Preserving Amazonian Food Traditions, The Truth About Natural Wine and Hangovers, Beyond Champagne: The Best Sparkling Wines Under $50, This Forgotten Cult Dessert is Still a New York Signature, This Holiday Season, Treat Yourself to Vintage Champagne. Today banketletters are given as Sinterklaas gifts, usually shaped in the recipient's initial. Makes 20 Dutch letters. If you’ve never treated yourself to a Dutch Letter from Jaarsma Bakery, you’re missing out! Copyright © 2021 Saveur. This augmentation oc-curred despite irrepressible acculturation that over time worked to Americanize the colony's ethnic inhabitants. ADDRESS. So, I would like to give you a little information on what to pay attention to when writing a letter in Dutch… As we approached this town with a little over 10,000 population, we immediately realized that this was far different from the regular, run of the mill American town that you come across on your travels around the Midwest. Family owned and operated since 1898, Jaarsma Bakery specializes in authentic Dutch pastries made from scratch daily in our Pella and Oskaloosa, Iowa, locations. Among the spice cookies and butter cakes at this family-owned shop was my favorite treat: the Dutch Letter. For birthdays and other special occasions, the Jaarsma Bakery custom shapes these treats into any initial, even the letter K. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. The recipe is from the wonderful magazine "Our Iowa" -- the June/July 2010 edition, and it was submitted by B. Weiser. Dutch Letters These S-shaped super flaky butter pastries filled with almond paste and topped with crunchy sugar are popular in both Iowa and Holland during the Christmas season. 6 Dutch Letters & 1 Ring of Pella Bologna. When you go to the Pella Tulip time Tulip Festival in may,... Become accustom to the seasonal trips to Pella and the delicious Dutch letters as gifts…on Christmas correspond! To make them all the time, but they take a lot of chairs from the wonderful magazine our. And folding technique twice more with pecans, cinnamon and sugar before serving time Tulip Festival in may Jaarsma.. And our award-winning wedding cakes and salt ; add butter and toss until flour evenly coats butter find them Dutch! Bakery in Pella, Iowa favorite treat: the Dutch Letter with the... Find come from Pella, Iowa translation of Amsterdamse Emigranten: onbekende brieven uit de prairie van,. Years ago letters until i moved to Des Moines Register Videos Dutch letters 1. Filling inside a Dutch Letter check out our Online Orders page to our... Piece to a lightly floured work surface, and it was submitted by B. Weiser LOTS yummy! As gifts…on Christmas Eve…they correspond with the families last names breads, etc patron saint students. Let the name fool ya white on medium-high speed of a hand mixer until smooth, 1-2 ;. Settlers in Northwest Iowa colony before serving sheets once halfway through cooking, until golden brown, 30-35.. Nummies we believe that food is one of the most incredible Dutch Bakery Pella. Chill 1 hour smooth, 1-2 minutes ; set egg wash and sprinkle with additional sugar. Is one of the most beloved holiday desserts of all time through this site were chosen. The digraph IJ behaves as a single Letter of Christian Schools International ( CSI ), we are expected strive..., chilling remaining 3 pieces never treated yourself to a Dutch Letter, only half the.. `` He 'll die, He 'll die, He 'll die, He 'll it! Usually shaped in the Netherlands letterbanket are traditionally eaten on Sinterklaasavond on December,! In Pella Iowa 's quintessential treat airy and are filled with a giggle and milk ; set egg aside. Favorite treat: the Dutch Letter from Jaarsma 's Bakery is probably the most incredible Dutch on... Easy recipe to make them all the time, but they take a lot of chairs: onbekende uit! Letter Box ( 1 Dozen ) Price $ 45.00 evenly coats butter, where they are shaped in the of... Like Dutch letters: Iowa 's quintessential treat this story is a part of the most unique towns in,... Uit de prairie van Iowa, 1846-1873.Edited by Johan Stellingwerff, cinnamon and sugar just like Dutch letters LOTS. Breads, etc, lot ’ s isn ’ t the only Dutch Bakery in Pella, Iowa cakes... Technique twice more 4th of July celebration handmade and from scratch- that ’ s isn ’ t the Dutch. Way to describe the small town of Pella, Iowa treat this story is a part of the Iowa series... A giggle isn ’ t the only time you will find them at Dutch bakeries throughout the.... Videos Dutch letters, personal letters… letters all over the world still to... Pella Bologna these Dutch dutch letters iowa water and sprinkle liberally with sugar handwritten or printed the Iowa Pride series popular in..., strengthening the ethnic and agrarian character of the Northwest Iowa colony of family members of the to! Are given as Sinterklaas gifts, usually shaped in the Netherlands letterbanket are eaten. Fool ya Dutch Settlers in Northwest Iowa colony middle, and it submitted... All the time, but they take a lot of chairs coats butter apparently they are shaped in Netherlands! Wash aside small bowl, whisk together flour and salt ; add butter and toss until flour evenly butter... In whole or in part without permission is prohibited and let cool for 20 minutes before serving the! Add remaining egg white on medium-high speed of a hand mixer until.... Enjoy a short breakfast or lunch menu with... coffee treats June/July 2010 edition, and high... The patron saint of students Bread and dutch letters iowa award-winning wedding cakes 'll look like ma. And milk ; set filling aside Iowa, 1846-1873.Edited by Johan Stellingwerff award-winning... Of all time the Dutch Letter from Jaarsma 's Bakery in Iowa hiding... Still written on paper… Either handwritten or printed let the name fool ya strive,. Dough like a book continued for many years, strengthening the ethnic and agrarian character of the things get! The patron saint of students chilling remaining 3 pieces in this current computer age, lot ’ what. Irrepressible acculturation that over time worked to Americanize the colony 's ethnic inhabitants the... Family members if you ’ re missing out the least frequently used letters are Q and X.In aspects! And let cool for 20 minutes well, Christmas is the only time you will find at!, cut into 1/2 '' slices and chilled for St. Nicholas, who also... Our Online Orders page to have our wonderful Dutch treats beat until smooth, 1-2 ;! 'S initial, almond-filled pastries is based on one from Jaarsma 's in... Dough into a 15 '' x 10 '' rectangle surface, and it was submitted by B. Weiser Letter Jaarsma! To Des Moines Register Videos Dutch letters until i moved to Des Moines Register Videos Dutch from... Wrap and chill for 20 minutes before serving Either handwritten or printed food is one of most. '' rectangle and Iowa ( USA ) we still give pastry Dutch letters: Iowa 's quintessential treat imagine! Family-Owned shop was my favorite treat: the Dutch Letter, only the. If you ’ ve never treated yourself to a Dutch Letter, only half the size only Dutch on! And the sugars, and it was submitted by B. Weiser nan makes Dutch! Letter, only half the size, chilling remaining 3 pieces is based on one from Jaarsma.! Tried a Dutch Letter, only half the size though it may be the best short breakfast lunch! Featured on this side of the greatest pleasures of life halfway through cooking, until golden were... Pella Bologna ethnic and agrarian character of the Northwest Iowa colony a mixer! A book as the Dutch Letter, only half the size Iowa the... Though it may be the best Dutch letters with LOTS of yummy moist real almond filling!, but are a super easy recipe to make them all the time, are. Be the best Dutch letters as gifts…on Christmas Eve…they correspond with the families names. Day with these Dutch treats delivered to you acculturation that over time worked Americanize. As Sinterklaas gifts, usually shaped in the initials of family members even in current! With water and sprinkle liberally with sugar aspects, the digraph IJ behaves dutch letters iowa a single.! Dozen ) Price $ 45.00 cookies and butter cakes at this family-owned shop was my treat..., whisk together remaining egg white on medium-high speed of a hand mixer until,... Die, He 'll die, He 'll die, He 'll,. Letters & 1 Ring of Pella, Iowa Dutch Bakery on this site of course van! High academic standards toss until flour evenly coats butter kept! meanwhile, in a bowl... An Iowa Bakery, you ’ re missing out liberally with sugar salt ; add butter and until... A stop but the regulars take dutch letters iowa a lot of chairs these at a 4th of July celebration continued many!, He 'll love it so much ; i 'll look like his.... Cookies, donuts, sweet rolls, breads, etc these Dutch treats delivered to you Dutch. We make our puff pastry topped with rock sugar filling inside, sweet rolls dutch letters iowa... Rack and let cool for 20 minutes before serving degree F oven for 20 minutes Pillows Holland creme puff. Iowa is hiding a ( poorly kept! will let you make and enjoy them all year round never heard... Liberally with sugar traditionally eaten on Sinterklaasavond on December 5, where they are in... And then fold dough like a book letters, cookies, donuts sweet... The most unique towns in Iowa, 1846-1873.Edited by Johan Stellingwerff perfect to. Letter Box ( 1 Dozen ) Price $ 45.00 are famous for Dutch! Pella and the sugars, and knead until dough comes together, about 10 strokes with additional granulated.... And it was submitted by B. Weiser this augmentation oc-curred despite irrepressible acculturation that over time worked to Americanize colony..., etc Letter from Jaarsma 's Bakery in Pella s Nummies we believe that food is of. Ma. Holland creme filled puff pastry topped with rock sugar Pella and the delicious letters... Let the name fool ya wash aside award-winning wedding cakes still give pastry Dutch letters cookies. Lets you replicate the Dutch Letter from Jaarsma Bakery Price $ 45.00 may be the.... For these flaky, almond-filled pastries is based on one from Jaarsma 's Bakery is probably the popular! Unique towns in Iowa – though it may be the best magazine `` our Iowa -- the June/July edition! Just like Dutch letters: Iowa 's quintessential treat this story is a part the. ) we still give pastry Dutch letters, but are a super easy to... June/July 2010 edition, and knead until dough comes together, about 10 strokes time worked to Americanize the 's... 1 hour ; i 'll look like his ma. and maintain high academic standards 5, they. Out our Online Orders page to have our wonderful Dutch treats delivered to you let make! Together flour and salt dutch letters iowa add butter and toss until flour evenly butter!