Suikerbonen are very popular in Belgium.
In Dutch, suikerboon means grain of sugar, and this confection, called suikerbonen in the plural, is made by enrobing almonds and dark chocolates evenly in a thin, hard, colored layer of sugar. Suikerbonen are very popular in Belgium and the Netherlands, and traditionally these colorful sweets are presented in sachets or packets to all guests and well-wishers by parents after the birth of a baby, or by godparents at the time of the child’s baptism. . Suikerboon sweets are also simply consumed as a treat or digestif on everyday occasions.
Suikerbonen is made with almonds.
Suikerboon is very similar to other pastry shops like Jordan Almonds and Beschuit com muisjes. Jordan almonds have no real connection to Jordan, but may in fact have originated in Sulmona, Italy, or Malaga, Spain. They consist of almonds wrapped in layers of colored sugar in various pastel shades such as pink, white, yellow, green, blue, lilac, etc.; Sugar-coated almonds of different colors are offered to visitors at different celebrations. Beschuit met muisjes, in Dutch, means biscuits with mice and consists of round, crunchy biscuits covered in butter and anise seeds covered in white, pink, orange or blue sugar. Like suikerbonen and Jordanian almonds, beschuit met muijes are distributed for good luck at childbirth or baptism.
The number of suikerboon presented to visitors can be 12, 16, 24 or more depending on the size of the gift bag or package. Many people buy or make small paper bag containers for suikerboon; Ready-made bags or colored paper to make them are usually available at most paper gift or craft stores. Paper bags are often decorated with colorful ribbons and flowers. In addition to paper bags, duct-taped cloth bags are also a popular choice for these grainy sugar treats. Other options for suikerboon holders include small socks, teacups, clear plastic bags, porcelain ornaments, and small teddy bears with suikerbonen bags attached to their neck straps. Whatever the choice, it is common to attach a business card with the child’s name to the packaging of the confectionery.
You can buy suikerboon at cake shops or various online retailers. Some suppliers offer suikerbonen in attractive ready-to-use packaging, or offer the confectionery filling according to the customer’s packaging choice. This can be quite convenient if the family does not have time to prepare the packages on their own.