Oh Come All Ye Kruidnoten

Kruidnoten are tiny button-like cookies eaten at Sinterklaas. The Sinterklaas tradition sees the strewing of kruidnoten or pepernoten and candy around the room for the children to pick up on Sinterklaas Eve (this supposedly suggested fertility, like a farmer sowing his seeds).

They're the little sister of speculaas, and are spiced with ginger, cinnamon, white pepper, cardamom, cloves and nutmeg. The origin of these traditional treats is intricately linked with the history of the Netherlands. The Dutch controlled the spice trade with the East in the 17th century, making the use of spices more accessible to ordinary Dutch people.

These little cookies make excellent holiday gifts - simply bake up a batch, divide them into little cellophane bags, and tie with a bow.