Hof der dingen - Waffle iron - For baking 'Lukken'

Few would guess that the word lukken refers to a type of waffle – a typically West Flemish treat.
Traditionally, they were prepared in the days leading up to New Year’s and baked on a Leuven stove- a traditional Belgian stove, typically made of cast iron. On New Year’s Day, the waffles were offered when visiting someone’s home to wish them good wishes for the year to come. The name lukken comes from the West Flemish dialect expression gaan lukken, meaning “to wish someone a happy New Year.”
Today, all of Flanders knows them as natural butter waffles. Credit goes to the biscuit manufacturer Destrooper from Lo. In 1885, Jules Destrooper opened his own bakery there, setting himself apart from the other five bakers in the village by also offering African and Asian goods such as coffee, tobacco, chocolate, and spices.
He put those spices into his own creations, inventing the now-famous almond biscuit. In 1890, the first lukke followed, baked in the distinctive diamond-pattern waffle iron.
The rest is history. Today, Jules Destrooper holds the title of Purveyor to the Royal Household (official supplier) and his biscuits are enjoyed all over the world.
With thanks to Frank Vanwalleghem for donating this piece.