This recipe shows you how to make your own crispy Kruidnoten at home! Pepernoten are chunks of gingerbread and are a bit chewy. Kruidnoten are half-round pieces of speculaas and they are crunchy. In practice, “pepernoten” is often used as an umbrella term for both pepernoten and kruidnoten.

These popular Dutch treats are enjoyed during the feast of Sinterklaas, which is usually celebrated on 5th of December. Kruidnoten are traditionally mixed with candies like sugar hearts and coated gummies. I have added sugared gummy bears and coated raspberries from Haribo since I no longer live in the Netherlands and can’t access the traditional Sinterklaas candies. This recipe also shows you how to make your own Speculaas Spices, similar to Pumpkin Pie Spice in the USA. If you are located in the Netherlands, you can easily find Speculaas Spice mix in any supermarket.

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Dutch Kruidnoten aka Pepernoten

Small Crispy Biscuits

Prep Time10

Oven time20

Total Time30

Course: Snack

Cuisine: Dutch

Keyword: Kruidnoten, Pepernoten

Author: Annely

Servings: pepernoten

Adjust servings here:

Equipment

big mixing bowl
Sieve
Zester
plastic wrap
Oven tray
baking paper

Ingredients

350 grams flour
10 grams baking powder
100 grams molasses aka stroop
50 grams brown sugar
110 grams butter
a pinch salt
125 ml milk
1 orange zest
4 tbsp speculaas spices or pumpkin pie spice mix
1 package candy (sugar hearts, coated gummy bears)

Instructions

Use a big mixing bowl and a sieve. Add the flour, baking powder, salt and the speculaas kruiden* through the sieve into the mixing bowl.
Add the brown sugar and mix all ingredients.
Add the butter (softened), molasses, milk and orange zest. Mix all ingredients with a hand mixer or use your hands and knead.
Knead and make a big ball. Cover the ball with plastic wrap. Add to the fridge for 20 minutes.
Pre-heat the oven to 175 C or 350 F.
Take the dough out of the fridge and cut in 4 equal parts.
Roll the dough into a long snake. Cut with a knife small equal sizes.
Roll the piece of dough between your hands and add the tiny ball to a baking sheet covered with baking paper. Make sure to leave at least 2,5 cm or 1 inch between the balls.
Add to the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes on 175 C or 350 F.
Let the kruidnoten cool down on a tray for at least 10 minutes.
Add to a serving tray or nice bowl and mix the candy through the biscuits.

Notes

*Speculaas spices are a blend of several spices. They are very similar to the pumpkin pie spice mix, which you can use as a substitute. Alternatively, you can make your own Speculaas spice blend. Add the following ingredients to a small bowl:;

◆ CINNAMON 1 tablespoon

◆ CARDAMOM 1 tablespoon

◆ CLOVES 1 tablespoon

◆ ANISE 1 teaspoon

◆ NUTMEG 1 teaspoon

◆ GINGER (ground) 1 teaspoon

Mix all ingredients and add to a small jar.

Enjoy!

Crispy Kruidnoten aka Pepernoten