Sinterklaas & Santa Claus, and a recipe for DUtch Spiced Cookies!

This weekend there are still lots of us Dutchies who will be celebrating Sinterklaas with our families. Most families with small kids have however welcomed Sinterklaas and his helpers, the Pieten, on the 5th of December. Sinterklaas is not to be confused with Santa Claus although there are many theories out there claiming they might actually one and the same. They both have a white beard, wear a red “costume” and give candy and presents to all kids (and adults) who have behaved well the past year. 

Most Dutch people celebrate a somewhat traditional Christmas. In the Netherlands there are two official Christmas days: first Christmas day on the 25th of December and second Christmas Day (Boxing day in the UK) on the 26th. Family and friends get together, if religious they will visit their church, cook, eat and drink together, play games and enjoy each other’s company but more and more (adult) people are also exchanging gifts with one another on Christmas nowadays.

Here in the office we are all hooked on the traditional mini Sinterklaas cookies called Pepernoten (Dutch Spiced Cookies). The best ones come with a layer of chocolate. Yummmmmmm. And the best thing is: It is really easy and fun to bake them yourself!

Ingredients
1 ¾ cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp cardamom
¼ tsp ground ginger
pinch of salt
1 cup light brown sugar
6 Tbsp butter, melted
6 Tbsp (soy) milk

Instructions
1. Sift the flour with the baking powder and the spices into a bowl.
2. Add the salt and sugar and mix until combined.
3. Mix the melted butter with the milk and add this to the dry ingredients.
4. Mix until the dough is soft and a little bit sticky.
5. Preheat the oven to 340° F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Roll the dough into tiny little balls of about 0.5”.
7. Place the balls on the baking sheet and give them a soft push. Bake the pepernoten for about 18-20 minutes in the preheated oven until done.

Source: http://www.inmyredkitchen.com/pepernoten-tiny-dutch-spiced-cookies/