DELICIOUSLY DUTCH! PEPERNOTEN

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Become a Pepernoten expert by learning these Dutch words!

Dutch

English

De lekkernij The delicacy / the candy
De smaak The taste
De geschiedenis The history
De sfeer The atmosphere
Onregelmatig Irregular
Taai Tough / Chewy
De kruiden The spices
Kruidig Spicy / Spiced
Knapperig Crispy / Crunchy
De kruiden The spices
De oorsprong The origin
De Middeleeuwen The Middle Ages
De specerij The spice
Het kaneel The cinnamon
De kruidnagel The clove
De noodmuskaat The nutmeg
De specerij The spice
Het geluk The luck
De overvloed The abundance
Strooien To scatter

Pepernoten are part of the Sinterklaas celebration in the Netherlands and make the winter season extra cosy and festive. Many people use the word “pepernoten” to refer to the small, round kruidnoten, but the real pepernoot looks very different. Both treats have a long history and are eaten in large quantities during November and December. You can already find them in shops from September onwards, often in all kinds of flavours and varieties, but the traditional flavours and the festive Sinterklaas atmosphere remain the most important.

What are pepernoten & KRUIDNOTEN?

The original pepernoot has an irregular, block-like shape and is soft and chewy. Its flavour is spicy and slightly sweet thanks to ingredients such as rye flour, honey, and anise. This gives the pepernoot a warm and authentic character reminiscent of old baking traditions.

What many people today call “pepernoten” are actually kruidnoten: small, round, crunchy biscuits made with speculaas spices. Their crisp bite and recognisable speculaas flavour make them extremely popular. In addition to the classic version, many varieties now exist, such as chocolate, caramel-sea salt, and truffle. Together, both pepernoten and kruidnoten form a beloved part of the Sinterklaas season and a familiar element of Dutch food culture.

The history of pepernoten

The origin of pepernoten dates back to the Middle Ages, when expensive spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg slowly found their way to the Netherlands. Bakers began experimenting with these spices and created a type of spiced bread dough with honey. This resembles the earliest form of the pepernoot.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, pepernoten became firmly rooted in the Sinterklaas celebration. Pieten would scatter pepernoten around to surprise children, a tradition symbolising luck, abundance, and kindness. Because of this, pepernoten are still closely associated with the festive atmosphere of Sinterklaas .

The classic pepernoot developed early on, while the round, crunchy kruidnoot emerged much later. Since people refer to both treats as “pepernoten,” the two types are often confused. Yet each has its own flavour, history, and charm — and both remain an essential part of the Sinterklaas season year after year.

HOW ARE PEPERNOTEN MADE?

Ingredients

Want to make your own Pepernoten? You'll need these ingredients

Dutch

English

De fabriek The factory
Het deeg The dough
Het vet The fat
Het meel The flour
De witte suiker The white sugar
De basterdsuiker The brown sugar
De speculaaskruiden The speculas spices
Het noodmuskaat The nutmeg
Het kaneel The cinnamon
Het bakpoeder The baking powder
Het snufje zout The pinch of salt
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