Homemade No-Churn Chocolate Pepernoten Ice Cream: The Perfect Sinterklaas Treat
Indulge in a truly unique and festive dessert this Sinterklaas season with our irresistible homemade Chocolate Pepernoten Ice Cream. This delightful recipe allows you to create a rich, creamy, and flavorful ice cream from scratch, all without the need for an expensive ice cream machine. It beautifully marries the warm, aromatic notes of traditional speculaas spice with the decadent richness of chocolate, enhanced by the delightful crunch of real pepernoten. This makes for an extra special treat that’s perfect for a cozy evening with family and friends, especially during the joyous Sinterklaas celebrations.
The Magic of Chocolate Pepernoten Ice Cream
As an avid home cook, I constantly seek out new and exciting recipes, particularly when the holidays roll around. This Chocolate Pepernoten Ice Cream recipe has quickly become a cherished favorite in my household, and for good reason. Its incredible taste is matched only by the sheer delight it brings to everyone, especially the children who absolutely love discovering chunks of crunchy pepernoten hidden within each creamy scoop.
For those unfamiliar, chocolate pepernoten (often called “kruidnoten” but widely recognized as pepernoten) are small, spiced gingerbread-like cookies that are a quintessential part of Dutch Sinterklaas festivities. Their availability is limited to just a few months each year, making them an exclusive and highly anticipated treat. My philosophy is, when something so delicious is only around for a short time, you simply must make the most of it!
This homemade chocolate pepernoten ice cream is consistently a showstopper. There’s an undeniable buzz of excitement whenever I bring it out on a cone or in a bowl for dessert around Sinterklaas. It’s a wonderfully simple yet unique way to elevate your holiday celebrations, making the Sinterklaas period even more memorable and delicious for everyone involved.
Why Choose No-Churn Ice Cream?
The concept of “no-churn” ice cream has revolutionized homemade desserts, making them accessible to everyone, regardless of whether they own an expensive ice cream maker. The beauty of a no-churn recipe lies in its simplicity and the remarkably creamy texture it delivers. By whipping heavy cream to stiff peaks and then folding it with a sweetened base, you incorporate enough air to create a soft, scoopable consistency that rivals traditional churned ice cream.
This method saves time, effort, and specialized equipment, making it perfect for last-minute holiday preparations or for those who simply want a delicious dessert without the fuss. Plus, the absence of an ice cream machine doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or quality. In fact, many people find no-churn recipes to be even richer and more indulgent, as they typically rely on a higher fat content from heavy cream and condensed milk (though our recipe uses brown sugar for a unique twist).
For this Pepernoten Ice Cream, the no-churn technique is particularly beneficial, as it allows the distinct flavors of speculaas spice and chocolate pepernoten to shine without being diluted by ice crystals, thanks to careful mixing and occasional stirring during the freezing process.
Ingredients: The Heart of Our Pepernoten Ice Cream
Crafting this festive ice cream requires just a handful of simple, yet impactful ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect balance of flavor and texture:
- Heavy Cream (or Whipping Cream): This is the foundation of our no-churn ice cream. When whipped, it creates the light, airy, and creamy base that defines this dessert. Ensure your cream is very cold before whipping for the best results.
- Speculaas Spice Mix: The soul of the pepernoten flavor. This traditional Dutch spice blend typically includes cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and cardamom, delivering a warm, aromatic, and slightly peppery kick. If you’d like to make your own, check out our Dutch Speculaaskruiden recipe.
- Dark Brown Sugar: While many no-churn recipes use condensed milk, dark brown sugar offers a deeper, more molasses-like sweetness that perfectly complements the speculaas spices and chocolate. It also helps with the texture, contributing to the ice cream’s smooth consistency.
- Chocolate Pepernoten (Kruidnoten): The star of the show! These small, crunchy, chocolate-coated spice cookies provide an essential textural contrast and an extra layer of chocolatey, spiced goodness. Roughly chopping them ensures that you get delightful pieces in every bite, without making the ice cream too chunky to scoop.
Using high-quality ingredients will always yield the best results. The rich heavy cream, authentic speculaas spices, and flavorful chocolate pepernoten combine to create an unforgettable Sinterklaas experience.
Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.
Need more inspiration?
- You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel.
- And don’t forget to save the recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time!
📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2¼ cup cold heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon speculaas spice mix
- â…” cup dark brown sugar
- 3 oz. chocolate pepernoten, roughly chopped
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
-
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cold heavy cream, dark brown sugar, and speculaas spice mix. Using an electric mixer, whisk the mixture until it becomes thick and consistent with soft-peak yogurt. Be careful not to overmix, as this will affect the final texture.2¼ cup cream, ½ teaspoon speculaas spice mix, ⅔ cup dark brown sugar
-
Gently fold the roughly chopped chocolate pepernoten into the creamy mixture using a spatula. Make sure they are evenly distributed throughout the base.3 oz. chocolate pepernoten
-
Pour the entire mixture into a freezer-safe container or bowl. Place it in the freezer for 1 hour. After the first hour, remove the bowl and stir the mixture thoroughly to redistribute the pepernoten and break up any ice crystals. Return to the freezer and repeat this stirring process after another hour. Finally, let the ice cream firm up completely in the freezer for at least 3 hours, or until solid.
-
Serving Tip: For an extra festive touch, serve your homemade pepernoten ice cream with additional whole or crushed chocolate pepernoten on top. You can also add segments of fresh tangerine for a pop of color and a contrasting citrusy flavor that beautifully complements the spice.
Notes
- Use Cold Ingredients: Always ensure your heavy cream is very cold before you begin whipping. This helps it whip up faster and achieve a stable, airy consistency, which is crucial for creamy no-churn ice cream.
- Adequate Freezing Time: Allow the ice cream to freeze for at least 3 hours. For best texture, aim for 4-6 hours, or even overnight. If it has been in the freezer for 24 hours or more, let it sit out at room temperature for a few minutes (5-15 minutes, depending on your freezer and room temperature) before scooping to achieve the perfect soft texture.
- Minimize Ice Crystals: Stirring the ice cream every hour during the initial freezing phase helps break up ice crystals and ensures the pepernoten are evenly distributed, leading to a smoother, creamier final product.
2. Using an Ice Cream Maker: If you happen to own an ice cream maker and prefer to use it, you certainly can! Simply prepare the cream mixture with the sugar and speculaas spice as instructed, then churn it in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s directions until it reaches a soft-serve consistency. At this point, gently fold in the chopped chocolate pepernoten. Once churned, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and store it in the freezer until firm.
3. Storage Guidelines: Homemade pepernoten ice cream can be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one month. To prevent freezer burn and ice crystals, ensure the container is tightly sealed. If you start to see a significant amount of large ice crystals forming on the surface of your ice cream, it might be an indication that it’s losing its ideal texture, and it’s best to enjoy it sooner rather than later or discard if texture is compromised.
4. Delicious Variations:
- Extra Chocolate: For an even more intense chocolate flavor, drizzle some melted dark chocolate or chocolate sauce into the mixture before the final freeze, creating a beautiful swirl.
- Nutty Crunch: Add a sprinkle of toasted, chopped pecans or walnuts for an additional layer of texture and complementary flavor.
- Caramel Swirl: A swirl of salted caramel sauce would pair wonderfully with the speculaas and chocolate. Add it during the stirring phase in the freezer.
- Different Pepernoten: If chocolate pepernoten are unavailable, plain kruidnoten (Dutch gingerbread nuts) can be used, or even speculaas cookies, for a similar spiced effect.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
The Sinterklaas Tradition and Your Homemade Treat
Sinterklaas, celebrated primarily in the Netherlands and Belgium, is a beloved and ancient holiday focused on children, gifts, and delicious treats. It’s a time when families gather, sing traditional songs, and eagerly await the arrival of Sinterklaas and his Zwarte Pieten. Central to the celebration are the various sweets and baked goods, with pepernoten (or kruidnoten) being among the most iconic.
While traditional pepernoten are often enjoyed simply by the handful, incorporating them into a rich, creamy ice cream elevates them to a truly special dessert. This homemade chocolate pepernoten ice cream perfectly embodies the spirit of Sinterklaas – it’s a treat that’s both traditional and innovative, comforting and exciting. Sharing a bowl of this unique ice cream becomes a part of the holiday ritual, creating sweet memories that last long after the last scoop is gone. It’s a fantastic way to introduce a touch of Dutch culinary heritage to your own family festivities.
More Sinterklaas Inspirations
If you loved this Pepernoten Ice Cream, you’ll surely enjoy exploring other Sinterklaas-themed recipes. The festive season offers a wealth of opportunities to bake and create with the wonderful flavors of speculaas and gingerbread. Here are a few more delights to inspire your holiday baking:
- Dutch Kruidnoten Carrot Cake
- Dutch Ice Cream Sandwich with Speculaas
- Pepernoten Cake
From cakes to other inventive desserts, the warm spices and delightful crunch of pepernoten can be transformed into countless delectable treats. Each recipe is designed to bring a little extra joy and flavor to your Sinterklaas festivities, ensuring that this special time of year is filled with delicious moments.