Dutch Pepernoten Cookies (2024)

Pepernoten are Dutch cookies which are traditionally baked and eaten during Sinterklaas festivities. Pepernoten literally translates to pepper nuts! All of your favourite Christmas spices are present – cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger. But, this cookie has black pepper too!

Dutch Pepernoten Cookies are the next cookie in the series! They just had to be a part of this! When I first decided to do a second 24 Cookies of Christmas series, I was telling my girl friends at work. I have the best workmates any man could ask for! Seriously, I’m not just saying this because two of the three will read this, but it’s true!

We’ve worked together for many years and we are super close. We practically have no secrets and have seen each other through some of life’s tougher times. So, when I told them of this series, one of them suggested that I include a few recipes with Christmas tradition and history.

That is why I’ve included this Dutch Pepernoten Cookie, as well as the previously posted Hungarian Apricot Kolaches and yesterday’s Italian Almond Ricotta Cookies. Tomorrow, I’ll publish one last “traditional” Christmas cookie recipe, but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see what it will be!

ARE THESE TRADITIONAL DUTCH PEPERNOTEN COOKIES?

Simply put, yes! Traditionally, pepernoten cookies are very small and round – comparable to the size of a quail egg. And, if you do a quick internet search, you’ll find a dozen recipes that all say they are traditional, but who’s to say which recipe is most traditional?

That’s the thing about recipes, Dear Reader. They get passed down from generation to generation. People will add things they like and remove the things they don’t. After years and years of this, the traditional recipe is probably so far removed from traditional, it’s almost unrecognizable!

All I know is that a traditional pepernoten cookie should a little hard, not soft, moist, or chewy. It should have ginger and cloves and cinnamon. And, it most certainly should have black pepper. My version has all of those things, so this cookie is traditional to me!

MORE CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPES!

Did you know that I’ve been posting a 24 Cookies of Christmas series for a few years now? There are over 100 Christmas cookie recipes that you can find right here at Lord Byron’s Kitchen! To make it easier to find, I have created a page for each series. Just click on the image below and you’ll find the full series for that volume all one page!

CAN I OMIT THE BLACK PEPPER?

Yes, absolutely! Obviously, your version of this Dutch Pepernoten Cookie does not have be as spicy as my version, but it will still be delicious. You’ll get a little heat from the ground ginger though.

I do encourage you to try adding the black pepper. The spiciness of the black pepper and the sweetness of the brown sugar compliment each other so well and it creates a very balanced taste.

HOW LONG WILL THESE LAST? CAN I FREEZE THEM?

Here’s the good news. Even though these cookies will last a while left at room temperature, they will eventually lose their freshness. After a few days, the cookies will become stale and a little soft. To prevent that, only keep out what you’re going to eat. Freeze the rest.

Freezing these cookies is a surefire way of locking in the flavour and the freshness. Once cooled, store in a food-safe container with a tight fitting lid. Freeze for up to three months.

When you’re ready to serve them, just remove them from the freezer. Take out as many as you need and place them in a single layer on a wire cooling rack. This will allow the air to circulate the cookie and help it to thaw evenly. Also, these make for lovely neighbour gift! Look at how cute this is:

MORE CHRISTMAS CONFECTIONS!

In some cases, we want more than a cookie. That’s why I have two more Christmas-themed collections you might want to consider. The first, is my 12 Bundt Cakes of Christmas, and the second is my 12 Biscotti of Christmas. Click on the image below to see each collection all on one page with links to each recipe!

STORING, PACKAGING, AND FREEZING

These cookies will stay fresh for about 3-5 days in a covered container and in a cool place. But, if you plan to freeze these cookies, use a food-safe container that can be frozen. You’ll want to ensure a very tight fitting lid too. (I usethesequite often when freezing baked goods.) I like to place a sheet of plastic wrap over the top of the container before pushing the lid on. This helps to create a better seal. The goal is to keep all of that cookie freshness locked in!

You can freeze these cookies for up to three months. They will come out of the freezer looking just like they did when you put them in there. Once you thaw them, they will taste just as fresh, and be just as soft, as the day you first baked them.