The Bossche bol, the whipped cream filled, chocolate-covered pastry ball invented by a Den Bosch baker is celebrating its 100th birthday this year.

The local delicacy began life at the bakery of Joseph Johannes Lambermont in 1924, local history buffs at Erfgoed ’s Hertogenbosch have found.

Lambermont advertised a similarly chocolate-covered ball as early as 1903 but it was then a custard-filled confection and simply went by the name of sjekeladebol or chocolate ball.

From 1924, ads proclaim the chocolate ball contained “pure whipped cream” and could be had for 12 cents. They now cost around €3.

The bol became a Bossche bol when Frans van Lanschot, mayor of Den Bosch from 1917 to 1941, claimed it for the town, Den Bosch city archivist Rob van Laar told local broadcaster Omroep Brabant.

“He was promoting Den Bosch on the radio and turned the name from sjekladebol to Bossche bol,” Van Laar said.

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In honour of the 100th birthday of the Bossche bol, local baker Jules Lauwerijssen is busy preparing a small exhibition on its history which will open on April 4. “It’s not just locals, tourists are queuing up for Bossche bollen as well,” he said.

The entry price for the “mini-museum” includes a free Bossche bol.