Heavy, dense, and thick, poffert is a Groningen specialty cake consisting of flour, eggs, milk, and butter. It is typically stuffed with raisins, apricots, figs, and preserved ginger. The cake is meant to be consumed as a meal in itself, not as a dessert, and especially not as a coffee cake. Although there is no sugar in the batter, when sliced, the cake is sometimes served with sweet syrup or butter. It is said that poffert tastes even better when consumed the next day.
ALTHOUGH THERE ARE CLAIMS THAT EATING SPACE CAKES CAN LEAD TO PSYCHOSIS OR PSYCHOSIS SYMPTOMS FOR SOME PEOPLE, THERE'S STILL NOT ENOUGH CONCLUSIVE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THEM. Originating from Amsterdam, space cake is a notorious delicacy that belongs to a group of cannabis-infused edibles. Variations on this specialty abound, and any baked good that contains cannabis butter may be called a space cake. This Dutch specialty is usually prepared with typical cake ingredients such as flour, sugar, baking powder, butter, milk, and eggs, which are combined with a certain quantity of cannabis. A great variety of ingredients can be added to the base to enrich the cake, including cocoa powder, chocolate drops, dried fruit, buttercream, vanilla, or various spices, and the baked cakes often come dusted with powdered sugar, glazed, soaked in rum, or stuffed with cream or custard. As with other cannabis intake methods, the consumption of cannabis in the form of space cakes also provides psychotropic effects upon its consumers due to the presence of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and other compounds. In the case of space cakes, the effects are usually prolonged and much stronger, and consumers typically feel high within 3 hours from the consumption. Space cakes with different shapes, flavors, and varying strengths can be savored at nearly any coffee shop in Amsterdam and they’re typically enjoyed alongside a cup of coffee, herbal tea, or beer. When it comes to the legal status of these cakes in the Netherlands, the country’s court allows the sale only of those cakes that are made with crushed weed.
Arretje nof is a traditional chocolate cake originating from the Netherlands. Interestingly, this chocolate cake needs no baking – all it needs is a few hours in the fridge. The cake is usually made with a combination of butter, cookies, dark chocolate, sugar, eggs, and cocoa powder. The ingredients are simply melted into a sauce, mixed with the cookie pieces, and the mixture is then poured into a cake pan, flattened, and left in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. Once chilled and solid, the cake is cut into slices. It's especially popular during the festive Christmas season.
Tompouce is a traditional pastry consisting of a thin puff pastry that is filled with cream and topped with a layer of smooth, pink icing. The dessert is usually prepared in a rectangular shape. Around King's Day in Amsterdam, the icing is traditionally colored bright orange in order to represent true Dutch colors. It is believed that the dessert is named after a performing dwarf with the stage name of Tom Pouce. Tompouce is often served with afternoon tea or coffee, especially at festive events such as birthdays.
Lapis legit, also known as Indonesian spekkoek, is a rich, multi-layered spice cake that is one of Indonesia’s most famous and luxurious desserts. Inspired by Dutch spekkoek during the colonial period, lapis legit is renowned for its intricate layers, buttery texture, and aromatic spice blend, making it a symbol of celebration and festive occasions such as Chinese New Year, Eid, and Christmas. The cake is made by baking thin layers of batter one at a time, resulting in a densely structured cake with alternating golden-brown layers. The batter consists of butter, egg yolks, sugar, and a blend of warm spices, including cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom, giving lapis legit its distinctive sweet and spiced aroma. Some variations include raisins, prunes, or cheese for added texture and flavor. Due to its labor-intensive preparation, lapis legit is considered a luxury cake, often given as a gift or served on special occasions. Each layer requires precise baking and patience, as the batter is spread thinly and baked under a grill or broiler before adding the next layer. The final result is a moist, rich, and slightly caramelized cake, with an intricate appearance that reflects the skill and tradition behind its creation. Lapis legit is traditionally sliced into thin pieces due to its dense and buttery consistency, and is best enjoyed with tea or coffee.
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot,
nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable.
For the “5 Worst Rated Dutch Cakes” list until June 16, 2026, 400 ratings were recorded, of which 356 were recognized by the system as legitimate.
TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods,
instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.
