My Pride and Preferred Potpourri: Dutch "Spice Nuts" (Pepernoten)

I'm culturally not very familiar with holidays such as Halloween and Thanksgiving, as in The Netherlands, we celebrate the festivities around 'Sinterklaas' during these months. And while there are quite some controversial aspects to this holiday that I absolutely cannot get behind (romanticising the Dutch history in slave trade, hiding behind a children's holiday), the warm flavours of 'speculaas' and 'pepernoten' are undeniably nostalgic to me. I started baking because I felt a little homesick during the November-December period. As a consequence, they are now an annual staple in my home, because both my husband, my family in law and our friends from over here all LOVED the tiny cookies.

There's such a warmth to this treat. Not only are they great to make with children (if you want some extra hands to help with shaping), I guarantee you that the aromas that fill your house while baking these will offer a wonderfully cozy vibe that draws everyone into the kitchen. Though let me warn you, once you start making these, you will be baking a batch every week throughout November!

Homemade Spice Mix

As authentic, Dutch 'koek- en speculaaskruiden' are not commonly available here in Canada, I make the needed spice mix myself. You can always search for the authentic spice mix in Dutch import stores, if these are available around you, but the individual spices are much easier and cheaper to find. Plus, this allows you to add in or leave out more or less of a spice, in case you find this mix a bit too overpowering. The recipe below is what I use. It makes for quite a large batch, which will last you for at least 3 to 4 batches of the spice nuts recipe that will follow.

Ingredients:

• 8 heaped tsp cinnamon

• 2 tsp ground clove

• 2 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1 tsp ground coriander

• 1 tsp ground anise seeds
  NOTE: It's hard to find this spice pre-ground, so you could buy the seeds and grind them up yourself using a spice grinder or mortar & pestle

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• ½ tsp ground cardamom (optional)

• ½ tsp ground white pepper (optional)

Mix all of these spices together and keep in a mason jar.
NOTE: This also makes for a lovely holiday gift ;)

Now, Let's Bake These Nuts

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar

• 1½ tbsp of your spice mix

• ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 2 tbsp soy milk

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and knead together. The dough should come together into a smooth, compact ball. Be careful not to overknead, it's ready once it holds together.

3. Roll small pieces of dough into marble-sized balls (about 1/2 inch / 1.5 cm).
   NOTE: I would be lying if I said I wouldn't get sick of this repetitive task mid-way through the dough. Luckily, this dough freezes perfectly!

4. Place them on the tray and gently press each one down a little.

5. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.

6. Let cool completely (yes, this is hard, but the allow the cookies to firm up)

Though these pepernoten will turn out a bit larger than you would traditionally find in The Netherlands, I think they make for a perfect two-bite-sized treat like this.

Enjoy the warm, festive aromas that fill the air while you bake. Enjoy with a cup of tea, or as a small sweet nibble after dinner.