What is your favourite dessert? Vlaflip, semolina pudding with berry sauce or chocolate mousse (my favourite)? Whatever your answer, one thing is for sure: desserts are more than just a tasty way to end your meal. They are memories of Sunday family dinners, children's parties and that one holiday in Italy. And that is exactly what makes the exhibition Grand Dessert - The history of dessert in the Kunstmuseum Den Haag so irresistibly fun. We were there recently - and what a party it was! Read on and be sure to scroll down for a delicious drilpudding recipe.
A wonderful surprise
Honestly? I was already enthusiastic about the idea of an exhibition about desserts, but Grand Dessert really exceeded my expectations. Everything is beautifully put together: the structure, the objects, the scent installations – you almost feel like you are in a life-size dessert buffet. You walk through a rich history of desserts and discover how dessert has evolved from status symbol to guilty pleasure.
Rommydebommy and her cheerful bags
One of the nicest surprises? The contribution of Rommydebommy . We have been following her on Instagram for a while and being able to admire her work up close was a real gift. Her colorful, cheerful style fits perfectly with the playfulness of this exhibition. And then the work of Shayna Leib, super beautiful! Her hyperrealistic glass sugar works are almost indistinguishable from the real thing, you keep looking.
Kate Jenkins is there too!
Where Rommydebommy colours the world with her cheerful creations, Kate Jenkins knows how to surprise you with a completely different magic: that of yarn, humour and… food. Yes, you read that right. This British textile artist crochets and knits with so much detail and charm that you will spontaneously get hungry. From shiny sequin sardines to crispy toasts and sweet desserts - everything is fake, and yet it makes you hungry. Her creations are not only incredibly fun to look at, but also a wink to our eating habits and culture. Kate's work feels like a cosy wink to nostalgia and craftsmanship, with a big dose of fantasy. A feast for everyone who loves art with a big wink and a woolly edge.
Browse through the taste of the past
Don't forget to stop by the collection of old cookbooks. You'll immediately feel like getting started with retro puddings, cakes and bavarois. The beautifully illustrated covers and yellowed pages make it feel like you're traveling back in time to grandma's kitchen.
Make your own beautiful colored pudding
Inspired? Then make a beautiful colored pudding yourself. Super easy and it quickly looks very nice. At Happlify Crew member Sofia's Brocante we have spotted a number of beautiful selection of vintage pudding molds for you. These molds could have been in a museum display case. Take a quick look at Sofia, with a bit of luck you will soon score one (for Easter?) for your kitchen.
Raspberry Drill (Gelatin) Pudding Recipe
Ingredients (for 4 servings)
- 250 g fresh raspberries
- 500 ml red fruit juice (e.g. raspberry or berry juice)
- 7 sheets of gelatin (or approx. 12 g powdered gelatin)
- A few leaves of fresh mint (optional, for garnish)
- Possibly a little honey or sugar to taste
- Nice pudding shapes (like the shapes above)
Preparation method is below the photo.
Preparation method
1 - Prepare
- Soak the gelatin leaves in cold water for 5 minutes.
- Heat the fruit juice in a saucepan, but do not let it boil .
- Taste to see if the juice is sweet enough – add some honey or sugar if necessary.
2 - Dissolve gelatin
- Squeeze the gelatin leaves and stir them one by one into the warm juice until they have completely dissolved.
- If you are using powdered gelatin, follow the instructions on the packaging for dissolving.
3 - Build up
- Place some raspberries in each mold.
- Carefully pour the juice mixture over it until the molds are full.
- Let them cool to room temperature and then place them in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (or overnight) to stiffen.
4 - Serving
- Briefly dip the molds in warm water to make the jelly easier to release.
- Pour onto a plate and garnish with fresh mint and some extra raspberries.
💡 Tip: Also nice with blueberries, strawberries or pieces of peach.
Want to vary? Make layers of different flavors of juice!
💡 Tip: Grand Dessert – The history of dessert can be seen at the Kunstmuseum Den Haag until October 26, 2025. Do you want to treat yourself to a dose of sweet nostalgia? Then this is really your outing. Also nice for the May holidays!
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