Pepernoten are a kind of cookie-like dessert, traditionally associated with the Sinterklaas holiday.\u00a0 They are light brown, randomly shaped, and made from flour, sugar, aniseed, cinnamon, and cloves.\u00a0 They tend to be fairly chewy, although if they are left out uncovered they will harden up a bit.<\/p>\n
According to Wikipedia, \u201ca particularly distinct custom associated with pepernoten is throwing them in handfuls through the room so children can look for them. Originally this is an ancient fertility symbol (like a farmer sowing seeds) not unlike throwing rice at a marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kruidnoten<\/strong><\/p>\n Kruidnoten on the other hand are harder, have a slightly different colour and are more round and uniform in shape. \u00a0They are also associated with the Sinterklaas period. \u00a0If you are familiar with speculaas, then you will recognize kruidnoten as they are made with mainly the same ingredients.<\/p>\n An exciting trend has taken off in relation to kruidnoten as they can now be found with all sorts of coverings.\u00a0 Everything from chocolate covered kruidnoten to caramel kruidnoten can be found.<\/p>\n If you would like to make your own kruidnoten and\/or pepernoten, you\u2019ll find lots of recipes on the internet.\u00a0 Here is one that I found on www.food.com<\/a> for \u201cDutch Pepernoten.\u201d<\/p>\n Ingredients:<\/span><\/p>\n 50 g butter (1 3\/4 oz)<\/p>\n 1\/2 cup brown sugar<\/p>\n 1\/2 cup white sugar<\/p>\n 1 tablespoon milk<\/p>\n 1 cup self raising flour<\/p>\n \u00a0Speculaas spices<\/span><\/p>\n 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg<\/p>\n 1 teaspoon ground cloves<\/p>\n 1 teaspoon cinnamon<\/p>\n 1\/2 teaspoon ground aniseed<\/p>\n 1\/2 teaspoon ground ginger<\/p>\n Directions:<\/span><\/p>\n 1. \u00a0Cream the butter and sugar, then add spice mix (or spices).<\/p>\n 2. \u00a0Add the flour and milk and make very small marble sized balls.<\/p>\n 3. \u00a0Bake for 10-15 minutes at 160 C (320 F) until golden.<\/p>\n Do you have a favourite kruidnoten or pepernoten recipe?<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As the studio lights dim and two spotlights focus on two white plates with brown cookies on each, you hear the presenter ask, \u201cand Transparent Language reader, which plate has the pepernoten on them?\u201d You glance to the plate on the left and then you glance to the plate on the right.\u00a0 While both plates…<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/dutch\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2011\/11\/450px-Bag_of_pepernoten-263x350.jpg\")