Muisjes are a Dutch topping made of aniseed and sugar, traditionally eaten on bread to celebrate the birth of a newborn child. They come in pink, blue, and white, with orange made for royal births. Crushed muisjes are eaten year-round, and hagelslag is a similar Dutch sprinkle. In Belgium and parts of the Netherlands, suikerbonen or sugar beans are served for celebrations.
Muisjes are a Dutch topping made mostly of aniseed and sugar. Sweet sprinkles or small candy drops are eaten on bread. They are also sometimes eaten on a beschuit, a type of Dutch biscuit. In order to prevent them from falling out, butter or margarine is spread on bread or toasted before it is sprinkled.
Sweet sprinkles are traditionally served and eaten to celebrate the birth of a newborn child. This tradition has been in practice since the 17th century and most likely developed because at that time it was right to give aniseed to a mother to stimulate her first milk. As time went on, colored variants became available.
Prior to the 20th century, muisjes were white and were given to newborn visitors. In the early 20th century, however, pink variations were introduced and visitors were given a blend of pink and white. Soon after, blue was also introduced. Most newborn baby visitors are now given a blend of blue and white, while newborn girl visitors a blend of pink and white.
Very rarely, orange muisjes are made and consumed around the time of the birth of a member of the royal family in the Netherlands. Orange is the color of royalty, referring to William of Orange, and so it is with a sense of pride that the Dutch embrace all things orange. Sprays of this special variation were produced in 1938 to honor the birth of Queen Beatrix, and again in 2003 when Crown Princess Catherina-Amalia was born.
A period of a new birth is not the only time they can be eaten. Gestampte or crushed muisjes are essentially powdered muisjes. The mashed version is also sprinkled on a slice of buttered bread or beschuit and eaten for breakfast year-round. Beschuit, a crunchy Dutch variation of two rusks, is famously served with muisjes, but is also eaten with other toppings, such as cheese or strawberries.
Haglslag, from the word hagel, meaning hail, is another form of Dutch sprinkles that can easily be confused with muisjes. They come in many flavors and colors and are a favorite among the Dutch for breakfast. When hagelslag is eaten, the bread is first coated with butter or margarine and then sprinkled with hagelslag for a sweet breakfast loaf.
An alternative tradition occurs in Belgium and parts of the Netherlands. When celebrating a birth or christening, suikerbonen or sugar beans are served. They come in various colors and also contain chocolate.
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