Although the dutch letter is popular year-round in Iowa - and available on a stick at the Iowa State Fair - this sugar-encrusted pastry tends to be baked and served most often during December in the Netherlands. It's a flaky, buttery crust, wrapped around an almond-paste center that reminds one of marzipan.
The home cook would traditionally shape it into the first letter of your family surname, but the most popular letter is 'S' - probably because it's easy.
