Pepernoot

A pepernoot (plural pepernoten) is a small, irregularly shaped cookie or confection traditionally eaten in the Netherlands and Belgium around Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas) Day, celebrated on December 5th and 6th, respectively. While often referred to as "ginger nuts" or "gingerbread nuts" in English, the term "pepernoot" can be misleading as they do not typically contain pepper, despite the name suggesting otherwise ( "peper" meaning pepper).

The ingredients usually include rye flour, anise, and other spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Some recipes might include honey or sugar syrup. The dough is formed into small, uneven pieces and then baked. Pepernoten are generally harder and chewier than kruidnoten, a similar but distinct treat associated with Sinterklaas.

Pepernoten are often scattered around the room by Sinterklaas or his helpers (Zwarte Pieten) for children to find, adding to the festive atmosphere of the Sinterklaas celebration. They are also commonly eaten as a snack throughout the holiday season. The tradition of scattering pepernoten likely stems from an old fertility ritual or symbol of abundance.

The distinction between pepernoten and kruidnoten (sometimes called "ginger nuts" or "speculaas nuts") can be confusing, even for native Dutch and Belgian speakers. Kruidnoten are more uniformly shaped (usually hemispherical), have a crispier texture, and are flavored primarily with speculaaskruiden, a spice blend similar to gingerbread spices. While both are popular Sinterklaas treats, pepernoten are generally considered the older and more traditional of the two.