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Kruidnoten are made by mixing flour, brown sugar, butter, baking powder, and traditional speculaas spices (like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger) into a dough. The dough is rolled into small balls and baked until golden and crunchy. Pepernoten, the chewier variant, use rye flour, honey or sugar, and anise for a softer, irregular texture. Both are classic Sinterklaas treats.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 48 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Netherlands
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 8 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 3 tsp speculaas spice mix (homemade below)
  • ¼ tsp salt
Speculaas Spice Mix (homemade)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • ¼ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp ground anise (optional)
  • ⅛ tsp ground cardamom (optional)
  • ⅛ tsp ground white pepper (optional)

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and speculaas spices.
  3. Add the butter and milk. Knead into a smooth, firm dough.
  4. Roll the dough into small balls about 1.5 cm (½ inch) in diameter
  5. Roll the dough into small balls about 1.5 cm (½ inch) in diameter
  6. Bake for 18–21 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool. They will crisp up as they cool.

Notes

If Dough too dry, add a little extra milk (1 tsp at a time) if the dough feels crumbly. It should be firm but pliable.
If your hands are warm, the butter may soften too much. Rinse hands briefly with cold water and dry them before shaping the dough balls.
You can adjust the spice mix to your liking—add more cinnamon for warmth, or ginger for a bit of bite.
For extra crunchy kruidnoten, bake a minute or two longer. For a slightly softer center, bake slightly less and cool them on the tray.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. They stay crisp and flavorful!
(Optional) For a festive twist, dip half of each kruidnoten in melted milk, dark, or white chocolate and let them set on parchment.