Kruidnoten Koekjes
These small, round, spiced cookies are a quintessential treat associated with Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) celebrations in the Netherlands. They have a distinctive crunchy texture and a warm, spicy flavor.
🧂 Ingredients
- 250 g All-purpose flour
- 125 g Brown sugar(packed)
- 125 g Butter(cold, cubed)
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- 2 tsp Speculaas spice mix(or a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and cardamom)
- 1/4 tsp Salt
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and speculaas spice mix.
💡 Tip: Ensure spices are evenly distributed. - 2
Cut the cold butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender or your fingertips until it resembles coarse crumbs.
💡 Tip: Keep the butter cold for a crispier cookie. - 3
In a small bowl, whisk the egg and brown sugar together until well combined.
⏱️ 1 minute - 4
Add the egg-sugar mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until a stiff dough forms. Do not overmix.
💡 Tip: The dough will be quite firm. - 5
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 6
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
💡 Tip: Ensure oven is fully preheated. - 7
Roll small portions of the dough into balls about 1.5-2 cm in diameter. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between them.
- 8
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. They should remain pale in the center.
⏱️ 15 minutes💡 Tip: Watch them closely as they can burn quickly. - 9
Let the kruidnoten cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
💡 Tip: They will continue to crisp up as they cool.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The quality of your spice mix is key to the flavor. Use fresh spices.
- ✓For a smoother dough, you can briefly pulse ingredients in a food processor.
- ✓Store kruidnoten in an airtight container at room temperature.
🔄 Variations
- Add a handful of chopped nuts (like almonds or hazelnuts) to the dough.
- Dip some of the cooled kruidnoten in melted chocolate.
- Experiment with different spice blends.