Kruidnootjes: Small Speculaas Treats

Learn to make these kruidnootjes, small speculaas treats that are typically enjoyed during Sinterklaas in The Netherlands. The spice mixture added to these small speculoos cookies gives them such a fantastic flavor and aroma! When you’re baking these, it will fill your kitchen with such a great smell, that you probably won’t be able to wait until they’re completely cooled!

Growing up, at Sinterklaasavond, as we were busy being overwhelmed by the anticipation of gifts, Sinterklaas would “Strooi” (toss)  kruidnootjes in the room. They’d fly through the air, always catching us by surprise. We never saw him doing it, and we could never figure out how he did it, but we’d be on our hands-and-knees, picking up the goodies of the floor!  Even as an adult, December is not complete without me snacking on some kruidnootjes. Although, since moving to the United States, Sinterklaas sends them by mail, rather than tossing them into the room. As an adult, I appreciate not having to clean that up!!