Passport to Sprinkles

Two sweet traditions from around the world!

Photo by Jamie Plain

Some of the best souvenirs you can bring home from another country aren’t things you pack in a suitcase, they’re recipes! This summer, we’re taking a short trip to two beloved food traditions that kids absolutely lose their minds over. 

The star of the show is Australian Fairy Bread, which is soft white bread spread with butter and blanketed in rainbow sprinkles called “hundreds and thousands”. It’s been the centerpiece of Aussie birthday parties and school celebrations since the 1920s. There’s just something wonderfully no-fuss about it: No baking, no special skills, just pure, colorful joy on a plate. 

We’re also stopping in the Netherlands for a taste of hagelslag, the charming Dutch tradition of piling real chocolate sprinkles (this is important: it must be real chocolate) onto buttered bread for breakfast (yes, breakfast). Whether you’re road-tripping this summer or just dreaming of somewhere far away, these two recipes are a delicious reminder that the world is full of good ideas…and sometimes, the best ones involve sprinkles!

Australian Fairy Bread

The iconic Aussie party staple — soft white bread, butter, and a blizzard of rainbow sprinkles. Simple, joyful, and gone in seconds.

INGREDIENTS

›› 8 slices soft white bread

›› 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

›› 4 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles (hundreds and thousands)

STEPS

1. Butter the bread: Spread 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened evenly across one side of each slice of 8 slices soft white bread, going all the way to the edges.

2. Add the sprinkles: Pour 4 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles (hundreds and thousands) onto a plate or shallow dish. Press each buttered slice face-down into the sprinkles, or sprinkle generously over the top.

3. Slice and serve: Cut each slice diagonally into triangles and arrange on a platter. Serve immediately.

NOTES

Traditionally made with rainbow nonpareils (the tiny round sprinkles), not the longer jimmies — this is key to the authentic look! Best served fresh so the sprinkles don’t bleed into the butter.

Dutch Hagelslag

The Netherlands’ most beloved breakfast tradition — buttered bread topped with a generous snowfall of real chocolate sprinkles. Simple, surprisingly satisfying, and a total kid favorite.

INGREDIENTS

›› 4 slices bread (white or whole wheat)

›› 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

›› 4 tablespoons chocolate hagelslag (Dutch chocolate sprinkles)

STEPS

1. Butter the bread: Spread 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened generously over one side of each slice of 4 slices bread, covering all the way to the edges so the sprinkles have something to stick to.

2. Add the hagelslag: Spoon 4 tablespoons chooclate sprinkles evenly over the buttered surface of each slice. The Dutch are not shy about this step — be generous!

NOTES

Authentic Dutch hagelslag is made with real chocolate and has a noticeably richer flavor than standard decorating sprinkles. Look for it at international grocery stores or online. In a pinch, good-quality chocolate jimmies work as a substitute — just avoid the waxy, artificially flavored variety.