Kruidnoten - Dutch Spice Nuts

Dutch Kruidnoten are often confused with Pepernoten. Whereas Kruidnoten, which translates to "spice nuts" in English, are crunchy rounded cookies made with the same ingredients as Speculaas. Pepernoten, on the other hand,  which translates as "pepper nuts", are softer, light brown cookies made with flour, sugar, anise, cinnamon, cloves and occasionally some honey.

Both Kruidnoten and Pepernoten are eaten at around the feast of Sinterklaas (Saint Nicolas) at the beginning of December. Sometimes, Kruidnoten are called the "small sisters" of Speculaas. You might know Speculaas, the traditional Dutch Sinterklaas treats as windmill cookies, Biscoff cookies or Speculoos (their Flemish name), Kruidnoten as well as Speculaas are both fragrantly spiced with a Speculaas Spice Mix - including ginger, cinnamon, white pepper, cardamom, cloves and nutmeg, while brown sugar adds a hint of molasses.

The origin of these traditional treats is intricately linked with the history of the Netherlands. The Dutch controlled the spice trade with the East in the 17th century, making the use of spices more accessible to ordinary Dutch people. Spices were still expensive, however, which is why their use was reserved for the holidays. The Sinterklaas tradition sees the strewing of Kruidnoten, Pepernoten, chocolate coins and candy around the room for the children to pick up off the floor on Sinterklaas Eve.

These days, the traditional recipe is still popular, but new variations, such as truffle kruidnoten, chocolate-covered kruidnoten and yoghurt-covered kruidnoten are also available. 

Kruidnoten – Dutch Spice Nuts

Ingredients for the Cookies
(yield: makes approx. 40-50 small  Kruidnoten)

• 200 grams (1 3/4 cups) self-rising flour 
• 100 grams (1/2 cup) donkerbruine basterdsuiker* (Dutch dark brown sugar), you can also sub with Demerera sugar or Muscovado sugar (unrefined cane sugar)
• 2 tsps. pure vanilla sugar
• 100 grams (7 tbsp) unsalted butter 
• 2-3 tbsp milk (depending on how your dough holds together)
• 4 tsp Speculaas Spice Mix (speculaaskruiden)**
• a pinch of fine sea salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• finely grated zest of half an organic (untreated) orange
• 1 egg white (L), lightly beaten with a fork (for glazing the unbaked cookies)

Preparation of the Cookies

1. Mix together all the ingredients (except the egg white) in a large bowl and knead (you could use a mixer with a dough hook attachment). 
2. You should be able to shape the dough into a ball without it sticking to your hands. 
3. Cover the dough ball with plastic wrap and set aside for a good hour.
4. Preheat the oven to 175° Celsius (350° Fahrenheit).
5. Line two cookies sheets with baking parchment.
6. Wet your hands and roll little balls of dough.
7. Place dough balls on the prepared baking sheet. 
8. Using your thumb, gently press down on each cookie to flatten slightly. 
9. Brush each cookie with some of the egg white.egg white.
10. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of your cookies, or until the cookies puff up and turn golden brown.
11. Transfer to cooling racks and allow to cool.

Basterdsuiker* is a typical Dutch product. There are three varieties, white, brown and dark brown, called witte basterdsuiker, lichte basterdsuiker and donkerbruine basterdsuiker. The sugar is widely available from Dutch supermarkets and some Dutch groceries on the internet.

You can order ready-made Speculaas Spice Mix (known as Speculaaskruiden) online but you can also make your own spice mix, which really gives you the chance to use the freshest ground spices that you can get your hands on, making for even better tasting cookies, of course.

Speculaaskruiden**
(Speculaas Spice Mix)

Ingredients for the Speculaas Spice Mix

• 4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp ground mace
• 1/3 tsp ground ginger
• 1/5 tsp ground white pepper (a pinch)
• 1/5 tsp ground cardamom (a pinch)
• 1/5 tsp ground coriander seeds (a pinch)
• 1/5 tsp ground anise seeds (a pinch)
• 1/5 tsp grated nutmeg (a pinch)
• NOTE: If you only have whole spices at home, you can grind the spices yourself using a coffee grinder, or use a food processor and a fine sieve.

Preparation

1. Carefully measure out spices.
2. Mix all spices well.
3. Scoop the mix into a spice jar with a tight-fitting lid.
4. Label the jar.
5. And use for baking Christmas cookies.
6. Discard any leftovers after four months and make a new spice mix.

Do try these Speculaas spiced, gingerbread-style, crunchy cookies, a true original Sinterklaas confection. This homemade version is so much better than what you can buy in a shop, especially if you take the time to blend your own spice mix, which is rather easy and really makes these treats special.

By the way, Kruidnoten make a fabulous gift. Simply wrap up in some cellophane, tie with a pretty ribbon and decorate with some pretty handcrafted angels like the ones in the pictures above!