The Dutch letter (also referred to as banket letter, almond letter, butter letter, and in Dutch as ''banketstaaf'', ''banketletter'', ''boterletter'', and ''letterbanket'') is a type of

pastry Pastry refers to a variety of Dough, doughs (often enriched with fat or eggs), as well as the sweet and savoury Baking, baked goods made from them. The dough may be accordingly called pastry dough for clarity. Sweetened pastries are often descr ...

that is typically prepared using a mixture of flour, eggs and butter or

puff pastry Puff pastry, also known as , is a light, flaky pastry, its base dough () composed of wheat flour and water. Butter or other solid fat () is then layered into the dough. The dough is repeatedly rolled and folded, rested, re-rolled and folded, encas ...

as its base and filled with

almond paste Almond paste is made from ground almonds or almond meal and sugar in equal quantities, with small amounts of cooking oil, eggs, heavy cream or corn syrup added as a binder. It is similar to marzipan, with a coarser texture. Almond paste is used a ...

(or

persipan Persipan (from ''Persicus'' (peach) and ''marzipan''; also known as Parzipan) is a material used in confectionery. It is similar to marzipan but, instead of almonds, is made with apricot or peach kernels. Persipan consists of 40% ground kernels ...

), dusted with sugar and shaped in an "S" or other letter shape.

Marzipan Marzipan is a confectionery, confection consisting primarily of sugar and almond meal (ground almonds), sometimes augmented with almond oil or extract. It is often made into Confectionery, sweets; common uses are chocolate-covered marzipan and ...

, an almond paste prepared with

almond meal Almond meal, almond flour or ground almond is made from ground sweet almonds. Almond flour is usually made with blanched almonds (no skin), whereas almond meal can be made with whole or blanched almonds. The consistency is more like corn meal t ...

and honey or sugar, is sometimes used as the filling. The Dutch letter has a porous or airy and flaky texture. The pastry was originally shaped "into the initial of the family's surname." Nowadays, the most common shape of the food in the United States is as the letter "S". Dutch letters are served as a treat during December, and particularly on '' Sinterklaasavond'' on December 5 in

the Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

, and during some festivals in the United States.

Etymology

The pastry's name is a shortened version of the Dutch word ''banketletter''. They may also be called ''banketstaven'', ''boterletters'', and ''letterbanket'' by

Dutch people The Dutch, or Netherlanders (Dutch language, Dutch: ) are an ethnic group native to the Netherlands. They share a common ancestry and culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities wor ...

History

Netherlands

''letterbanket'' are traditionally eaten on '' Sinterklaasavond'' on December 5, where they are shaped in the initials of family members.

United States

Iowa

Dutch letters were introduced to the United States by Dutch immigrants, and originated in

Pella, Iowa Pella is a city in Marion County, Iowa, United States, with a population of 10,464 at the time of the 2020 U.S. Census. Founded by immigrants from the Netherlands, it is forty miles southeast of Des Moines. Pella is the home of Central Colleg ...

, which was founded in 1845 by "Dutch religious refugees." Dutch letters are a common treat at the annual Tulip Festival in Pella, Iowa, and may be prepared by local residents and sold at markets, gas stations, and various local churches. They are sold year round at Dutch bakeries.

Michigan

Dutch letters prepared with chocolate are traditionally eaten as part of the activities during the Holland Dutch Winterfest in

Holland, Michigan Holland is a city in Ottawa County, Michigan, Ottawa and Allegan County, Michigan, Allegan counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. Located in the West Michigan, western region of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, Lower Peninsula, the city is si ...

References

{{pastries Dutch-American culture in Iowa Dutch-American culture in Michigan Dutch pastries Almond cookies