Kruidnoten are traditional Dutch spiced cookies. Its ingredients consist of flour, butter, sugar, spices, milk and baking soda or baking powder. The wet and dry ingredients are mixed separately then combined to form a dough. The dough is divided, shaped and baked until golden.
Variations of kruidnoten include chocolate or yogurt covered, glazed and almond kruidnoten which is made by adding chopped almonds or extract to the dough. Kruidnoten is often mistaken or sold as pepernoten, another dutch spiced cookie. Kruidnoten is round and the crunchier of the two. Pepernoten are made with honey, is chewy and square shaped.
Origin & Cultural Significance
Kruidnoten translates to spiced nuts. In Belgium and the Netherlands they are enjoyed during the holiday season, especially for the Sinterklaas celebration.
Sinterklaas is a beloved figure in Dutch folklore. He is celebrated on December 5th when Kruidnoten, along with other traditional treats are often distributed as part of the festivities.
Dutch Kruidnoten Recipe
Kruidnoten are traditional Dutch spiced cookies. Its ingredients consist of flour, butter, sugar, spices, milk and baking soda or baking powder.
Ingredients
- Self-rising flour - 1 cup
- Dark brown sugar - 1/3 cup
- Speculaas spice mix (or gingerbread spices) - 1 tsp
- Butter (cold and cut in small chunks) - 3 tbsp
- Milk - 3 tbsp
Instructions
- Place the flour, sugar, and speculaas spices in a food processor and pulse well
- Add the butter and milk and mix everything until a dough forms.
- Wrap the dough in plastic and let it rest for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll small ½ inch balls and place them on the baking tray.
- Slightly flatten them by pressing lightly.
- Bake for about 20 minutes until golden brown.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 500Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 902mgCarbohydrates: 77gFiber: 2gSugar: 31gProtein: 7g
Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.