Antwerpse handjes take their shape from the legend of the giant Antigoon and the Roman soldier Brabo, who is said to have cut off the giant's hand and thrown it into the river Scheldt — pastry chef Jos Hakker turned that legend into a hand-shaped almond biscuit in 1934, and it's been Antwerp's signature sweet ever since.
Best Bakery
Philip's Biscuits
Best Area
City Centre & Meir
Price Range
€1–€3
Must Try
Antwerpse Handjes
Also on myycity.blog: 🥪 Sandwich Guide · 🍳 Full English Guide · 🍔 Burger Guide
🎂 What Makes Antwerp's Cake Different?
A buttery, almond biscuit shaped like a small hand, invented in 1934 and often available dipped in chocolate.
🍰 Anatomy of a Antwerp Cake
🥐 Pastry
Buttery, laminated pastry or a soft sponge base, depending on the treat
🍮 Custard/cream
Vanilla custard or whipped cream is a constant filling across the Low Countries
🍫 Chocolate
Belgian and Dutch bakers rarely miss a chance to add real chocolate
🌰 Almond
Almond paste or marzipan shows up in many regional specialties
☕ Pairing
A strong coffee alongside — café culture here treats cake as a daily ritual, not just a celebration
🎂 Must-Try in Antwerp: Antwerpse Handjes — A buttery, almond biscuit shaped like a small hand, invented in 1934 and often available dipped in chocolate.
📍 Where to Get It in Antwerp
Philip's Biscuits — One of the few remaining Antwerp bakeries still making handjes by traditional methods close to Jos Hakker's original recipe.
- 🎂 Philip's Biscuits
- 🎂 Goossens Chocolatier (chocolate-dipped versions)
💷 What You'll Pay
| Format | What to Expect | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| Café Slice | A single slice with coffee or tea, eaten in | €1–€3 |
| Small Whole Cake | A personal-size cake to take home | €8–€14 |
| Celebration Cake | A birthday or party-sized cake, serves a group | €18–€30 |
| Bespoke / Wedding Cake | Custom-designed, multi-tier, starting price | €100+ |
💡 Antwerp Cake Tips
- Ask for the chocolate-dipped version if you want something richer than the classic butter biscuit.
- They're technically a biscuit rather than a layer cake, but they're Antwerp's most famous baked sweet by a wide margin.
❓ FAQ
What is the best antwerpse handjes in Antwerp?
Philip's Biscuits is widely regarded as one of Antwerp's best spots for antwerpse handjes. One of the few remaining Antwerp bakeries still making handjes by traditional methods close to Jos Hakker's original recipe.
How much does a good cake cost in Antwerp?
Expect roughly €1–€3 for a café slice, rising to €100+ for a bespoke or wedding cake.
What makes antwerpse handjes unique to Antwerp?
A buttery, almond biscuit shaped like a small hand, invented in 1934 and often available dipped in chocolate. It's a style closely tied to Antwerp's own baking history rather than a generic cake you'd find anywhere.
Where's the best area in Antwerp to find one?
City Centre & Meir is generally considered the strongest area in Antwerp for antwerpse handjes and bakeries generally.