Crispy kruidnoten, baked in the oven, are also called pepernoten. They belong to Sinterklaas, a dutch holiday, And are so easy to make! A fun recipe to bake with the kids. A tip: they are best when they just come out of the oven. Try it yourself!
Dutch kruidnoten
Almost December 5th, Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus). The Sinterklaas period starts again on Monday. And the Sinterklaas holiday is a Dutch tradition that also includes chocolate letters and kruidnoten (small cookies). These crunchy cookies are a typical delicacy you can make with the children. And, of course, enjoy these little cookies afterward, warm or cooled if they stay that long.
Kruidnoten or Pepernoten?
There is often confusion about kruidnoten or pepernoten; both are Dutch spice cookies. Not surprising because the kruidnoten are also often sold as pepernoten. But a kruidnoot is harder and crunchier and has a spherical shape. The pepernoot is sweetened with honey, spiced with anise, and has a flat dice shape. And it's much softer and a little chewy (like taai taai) as with my traditional pepernoten recipe, where you can see the differences.
What do you need for Kruidnoten Cookies?
To prepare these Dutch Kruidnoten, you need the following ingredients. You can find the correct amounts in the recipe card at the bottom of the blog:
- Self-raising flour - This is flour to which baking powder has been added. This will make the kruidnoten airy and rise when baked. But if you don't have self-raising flour? Then replace it with 1 cup (140 grams) of flour and ⅔ teaspoon baking powder.
- Dark brown sugar - Gives a dark color and a sweet taste with a hint of caramel.
- Speculaas spice mix - Also available as . The composition of speculaas spice mixes may differ, but the base is always cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Or you can make your own speculaas spice mix by mixing the following grounded spices: 3 teaspoons of ground cinnamon, one teaspoon of ground nutmeg, one teaspoon of ground cloves, ½ teaspoon of ground white pepper, ½ teaspoon of ground anise, and ½ teaspoon ground ginger.
- Butter - Use unsalted butter. Cold from the fridge.
- Milk - To give the kruidnoten a fuller taste.
How to prepare Dutch Spice Cookies?
You can find a printable recipe with a step-by-step description at the bottom of this blog.
- Mix the flour, sugar, and speculaas spices in a food processor (with a knife). Add the butter and milk and pulse until you have a dough.
- Wrap the dough in cling film and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Make small balls ½ inch (1 cm) in diameter from the dough and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Flatten the top of the kruidnoten with your thumb.
- Bake the kruidnoten for 20 minutes in a preheated oven at 350 °F (180 °C).
Did you make this recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram. I enjoy seeing what your creation looks like. Video recipes can be found on my YouTube channel. And don't forget to save the recipes on Pinterest so you can easily find them next time!
📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Equipment
- A conventional oven is used. When using a convection oven (with air fan) decrease the temperature with 30 °F / 20 °C
- Baking tray
- Parchment paper
- Food processor with knife
- plastic foil
Ingredients
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- ⅓ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon speculaas spice mix, or gingerbread spices look at the tips how to make them
- 3 tablespoons butter , cold, cut in small chunks
- 3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Place the flour, sugar, and speculaas spices in a food processor. Pulse, so it mixes.1 cup self-rising flour, ⅓ cup dark brown sugar, 1 teaspoon speculaas spice mix
- Add the butter and milk and mix everything until you get a dough.3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons milk
- Put the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the oven to
350 °F (180 °C) or 320 °F (160 °C). - Line the baking sheet with parchment paper. Make little balls with a diameter of ½ inch (1 cm) and spread them on the baking tray.
- Press your thumb on top of them to flatten them a bit.
- Put the baking tray in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes until the pepernoten are golden brown.
- Get them off the baking plate and cool them on a rack.
Notes
Nutrition
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