Belgian women keep 40-year kneudel tradition alive

Ria Danneels and Myriam Boelens, along with a local baker in Oosteeklo, Belgium, prepared 2,000 kneudels, a type of dough ball with raisins, for the town’s annual fair.

The women continued a tradition that began in 1985 with members of the KWB, a local organization. Initially, the KWB made the kneudels with 75 liters of vanilla sauce, and Danneels and Boelens took over the task ten years ago.

This year, the team cooked the 2,000 kneudels and created 200 liters of vanilla sauce to serve with the dish. The baker, Thomas, explained that kneudels are made using a bread recipe enriched with milk and raisins, requiring him to begin work as early as 6 AM to have the dough ready by 8 AM.

The kneudels proved popular not only in Oosteeklo but also in neighboring towns, attracting visitors from as far as West Flanders to taste the local specialty. The women plan to continue the tradition for years to come, ensuring the community can enjoy the beloved dish at the annual fair.