Kruidnoten: 10 Simple Recipes to Try at Home

Kruidnoten are a beloved Dutch holiday treat, traditionally enjoyed during the festive Sinterklaas season. These small, crunchy, and spiced cookies are similar to gingerbread, with rich flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Although typically bought premade, making kruidnoten at home allows you to customize and experiment with this classic snack. In this article, we’ll explore 10 simple recipes that bring new life to kruidnoten, so you can bake, flavor, and enjoy them all season long.

Classic Kruidnoten Recipe

Let’s start with the traditional kruidnoten recipe, which is quick and easy to make. This recipe uses simple ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen, making it perfect for a spontaneous baking session.

Ingredients

200g self raising flour
100g unsalted butter (softened)
100g brown sugar
2 tbsp milk
1 tbsp speculaas spices (or a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F).
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and spices.
Add the butter and milk, then mix until you form a smooth dough.
Roll the dough into small marblesized balls and place them on a baking sheet.

Bake for 1520 minutes or until golden brown.

Vegan Kruidnoten

For those following a plant based diet, you can easily make vegan kruidnoten by substituting a few ingredients. This recipe offers the same delicious spiced flavor without any animal products.

Ingredients

200g self raising flour
100g coconut oil or vegan butter
100g brown sugar
2 tbsp almond milk (or any plant based milk)
1 tbsp speculaas spices

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F).
Combine the flour, sugar, and spices in a bowl.
Add the coconut oil and almond milk, then mix to form a dough.
Roll the dough into small balls and bake for 1520 minutes until crispy.

Chocolate Dipped Kruidnoten

For an indulgent twist, try dipping your homemade kruidnoten in chocolate. The combination of rich, spiced cookies with smooth chocolate is irresistible and perfect for gifting.

Ingredients

Prepared kruidnoten from the classic recipe
200g dark, milk, or white chocolate
Sprinkles for decoration (optional)

Instructions

Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water.
Dip each kruidnoten halfway into the melted chocolate.
Place them on a sheet of parchment paper to set, and add sprinkles if desired.
Let them cool until the chocolate hardens.

Gluten Free Kruidnoten

If you have a gluten intolerance, you can still enjoy kruidnoten with this gluten free version. The taste remains just as delicious, with the same festive spices.

Ingredients

150g gluten free flour
50g almond flour
100g butter or margarine
100g brown sugar
1 tbsp speculaas spices
2 tbsp milk (or plant based milk)

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F).
Mix the gluten free flour, almond flour, sugar, and spices in a bowl.
Add butter and milk, mixing until you form a smooth dough.
Roll the dough into small balls and bake for 1520 minutes until golden brown.

Honey Spiced Kruidnoten

For a sweeter and more aromatic variation, this honey spiced kruidnoten recipe adds a touch of natural sweetness and extra warmth. It’s perfect for those who prefer a milder spiced flavor.

Ingredients

200g self raising flour
100g butter
75g brown sugar
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp speculaas spices

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F).
Mix the flour, sugar, and spices in a bowl.
Add butter and honey, mixing to form a smooth dough.
Roll into small balls and bake for 1520 minutes.

Kruidnoten with Almonds

Adding almonds to your kruidnoten not only boosts the flavor but also enhances the texture. The crunch of almonds pairs beautifully with the spiced cookies, making this recipe a festive favorite.

Ingredients

200g self raising flour
100g butter
100g brown sugar
50g chopped almonds
1 tbsp speculaas spices
2 tbsp milk

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F).
Combine the flour, sugar, spices, and chopped almonds in a bowl.
Add the butter and milk to form a dough.
Shape into balls, place on a baking sheet, and bake for 1520 minutes.

CinnamonSugar Coated Kruidnoten

For an extra sweet and cinnamon heavy variation, coat your kruidnoten with cinnamon sugar after baking. This adds a delightful crunch and a burst of sweetness with every bite.

Ingredients

200g self raising flour
100g butter
100g brown sugar
2 tbsp speculaas spices
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

Prepare kruidnoten as in the classic recipe.
In a separate bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon.
Once the kruidnoten are baked and still warm, roll them in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
Let them cool and enjoy the extra sweetness.

Speculaas Butter Kruidnoten

For an ultrarich version of kruidnoten, try incorporating speculaas butter into the dough. This spiced cookie butter adds depth to the flavor and gives the cookies a more intense speculaas taste.

Ingredients

200g self raising flour
100g butter
75 g speculaas butter
100g brown sugar
1 tbsp speculaas spices

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F).
Mix the flour, sugar, and spices in a bowl.
Add butter and speculoos butter, mixing until a smooth dough forms.
Roll into small balls and bake for 1520 minutes.

Orange Zest Kruidnoten

For a citrusy twist, add orange zest to the traditional kruidnoten recipe. The bright flavor of orange beautifully complements the warm spices of the cookies, making this recipe a hit for holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

200g self raising flour
100g butter
100g brown sugar
1 tbsp speculaas spices
Zest of 1 orange
2 tbsp milk

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F).
Mix the flour, sugar, spices, and orange zest.
Add the butter and milk to form a dough.
Roll into balls and bake for 1520 minutes until golden.

Peppermint Kruidnoten

For a holiday inspired flavor combination, add peppermint extract to your kruidnoten dough. The refreshing taste of peppermint contrasts the warmth of the spices, creating a unique holiday cookie that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

200g self raising flour
100g butter
100g brown sugar
1 tbsp speculaas spices
½ tsp peppermint extract
2 tbsp milk

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F).
Mix the flour, sugar, spices, and peppermint extract.
Add the butter and milk to form a dough.
Roll into balls and bake for 1520 minutes until golden and crispy.

Conclusion

Kruidnoten are more than just a holiday treat—they’re a versatile, fun to make snack that can be enjoyed in countless ways. From classic recipes to exciting variations like chocolatedipped and orange zest kruidnoten, these simple recipes will bring warmth and festive joy to your home. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just to indulge in some holiday cheer, these recipes ensure that there’s a perfect kruidnoten for everyone.

FAQs

1. What are kruidnoten?

Kruidnoten are small, spiced cookies traditionally eaten during the Dutch Sinterklaas holiday. They are crunchy and flavored with a mix of spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

2. Can kruidnoten be made gluten free?

Yes, kruidnoten can be made gluten free by substituting regular flour with gluten free flour. Almond flour also works well to maintain the flavor and texture.

3. Hoe lang hebben kruidnoten last?

Kruidnoten can last up to two weeks when stored in an airtight container. Their crispy texture may soften slightly over time, but they will still taste delicious.

Also read: Famous Dutch Painters: 10 Powerful Stories Behind Iconic Artists and Their Art