What are Oliebollen?

In my first few years in Amsterdam, I had some pretty bad experiences and I thought they were disgusting. Now, I notice with excitement when they arrive on 1st October and I'm sad when they leave on 1st January. I prefer them with currants and lots of powdered sugar on the top.  For me, they have to be crispy on the outside, and perfectly spongy on the inside.

It took a while before I understood they were traditionally to be eaten on New Year's Eve. Oliebollen are deep fried doughballs, similar to doughnuts without the hole. Literal translation: Oil Balls.  

Now, I'd like you to have a good experience, so if you want to try what I think are consistently the best  in town (and yes, it is near my house) then go to my local Oliebollen kiosk on the bridge at the Kinkerstraat / Bilderdijkkade. Ignore the waffles and the colourful versions stuffed with fruit or custard which my kids always want to try and then get disappointed that they're not as good as they look. I recommend you go for the original Oliebol...

And then, my local bakery Klopper & Stolk (on Kinkerstraat and Amstelveenseweg) also do a very nice version using kwark...