Irresistibly Chewy Pepernoten Brownies: Your Ultimate Sinterklaas Treat Recipe

These pepernoten brownies (with gingerbread flavor) are wonderfully soft and chewy. With a creamy chocolate filling. Great for Sinterklaas Eve on December 5th.

As December 5th approaches, the air in Dutch households fills with the delightful scent of spices and anticipation for Sinterklaas Eve. For many, this joyous celebration isn’t complete without a spread of traditional treats, and this year, we’re putting a modern twist on a classic with these incredibly delicious Pepernoten Brownies! Imagine the rich, fudgy goodness of a homemade brownie, elevated by the unique, warmly spiced flavor of pepernoten cookies. It’s a combination that’s sure to become a new holiday favorite.

This recipe transforms the beloved chewy chocolate brownie into a festive masterpiece, perfect for sharing with family and friends during the Sinterklaas festivities or any cozy winter gathering. The crumbled pepernoten soften beautifully in the oven, infusing every bite with that distinctive gingerbread-like spice, creating an unforgettable sensory experience. My own children adore these brownies, and I’m confident yours will too!

What Makes These Pepernoten Brownies So Special?

This isn’t just any brownie recipe; it’s a celebration of flavors and textures. Each square boasts a perfectly soft and intensely chewy texture, characteristic of a well-made brownie. What sets these apart, however, is the addition of pepernoten – small, round, spiced cookies traditionally associated with the Dutch Sinterklaas holiday. These cookies, when gently folded into the rich chocolate batter, melt slightly during baking, releasing their warm, aromatic blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. The result is a brownie that offers a creamy, decadent chocolate experience with an unexpected, yet utterly delightful, spicy kick. It’s the ultimate fusion of a classic American dessert with a cherished Dutch tradition.

The Magic of Pepernoten: A Touch of Dutch Tradition

For those unfamiliar, Sinterklaas is a Dutch holiday celebrated on December 5th, where Sinterklaas (a benevolent bishop-like figure) and his helpers, the Zwarte Pieten, bring gifts and treats to children. Pepernoten are one of the most iconic treats associated with this time of year. They are small, hard cookies, distinct from kruidnoten (which are often mistakenly called pepernoten), and are known for their strong gingerbread spice flavor. Incorporating them into brownies is a fantastic way to honor this tradition while introducing new flavors to your holiday baking repertoire. It’s a wonderful way to bring a piece of Dutch culinary history into your kitchen, creating new memories with every delicious bite.

Expert Tips for Baking Your Perfect Pepernoten Brownies

Achieving brownie perfection is simpler than you think, especially with a few key pointers:

• Choose Your Spices Wisely: While traditional pepernoten are recommended, don’t hesitate to experiment! You can use ground chocolate pepernoten for an extra cocoa boost, speculaas cookies for a similar but slightly different spice profile, or even gingerbread cookies if pepernoten are hard to find. The key is to crumble them well so their flavor distributes evenly.
• The “Too Soft” Illusion: When you first take your brownies out of the oven, they might appear and feel a bit too soft or underbaked in the center. Do not be tempted to put them back in! This is completely normal for fudgy brownies. As they cool to room temperature, they will firm up and achieve that desirable chewy texture. Overbaking will result in dry, cake-like brownies, which is not what we want here. Patience is key!
• Quality Ingredients Matter: Use good quality dark chocolate (around 70% cocoa solids for a rich flavor) and unsalted butter. These are the building blocks of your brownie’s flavor and texture.
• Whipping Eggs and Sugar: Don’t skip the step of whipping the eggs and sugar until “foamy and airy.” This step incorporates air into the mixture, contributing to the brownie’s characteristic chewy texture and slight rise.
• Gentle Folding: When adding the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa) and the crumbled pepernoten, mix gently with a spatula. Overmixing develops gluten in the flour, leading to tough brownies. We want tender and chewy!

Storing Your Delicious Pepernoten Brownies

Proper storage ensures your brownies remain fresh and delicious for as long as possible. Here’s how to keep them at their best:

• Room Temperature is Best: Always store brownies at room temperature. Placing them in the refrigerator can alter their texture, making them hard and less enjoyable. The creamy, chewy consistency is best preserved outside the fridge.
• Airtight Container: To prevent them from drying out, store your pepernoten brownies in an airtight container. This will keep them wonderfully moist and fresh.
• Shelf Life: Stored correctly at room temperature, these brownies will stay delicious for up to 1 week.
• Freezing for Later: Brownies freeze beautifully! Slice them into individual servings or small portions before freezing. For best results, wrap each portion individually in plastic wrap or parchment paper, then place them in a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. This way, you can easily defrost only the amount you need, whenever a craving strikes. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Simply thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

Serving Suggestions for Your Festive Brownies

These pepernoten brownies are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways:

• Plain and Simple: They are perfect on their own, allowing the rich chocolate and spice flavors to shine.
• With a Dusting: A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of elegance and visual appeal.
• Warm with Ice Cream: Serve a warm brownie with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a delightful hot and cold contrast. The ice cream will melt slightly into the warm brownie, creating an even more decadent treat.
• Whipped Cream and Berries: A dollop of freshly whipped cream and a few seasonal berries (like cranberries or raspberries for a festive touch) can elevate them to a sophisticated dessert.
• Coffee or Tea Companion: These brownies are an excellent companion for your afternoon coffee or evening tea, providing a comforting and satisfying treat.
• Holiday Dessert Platter: Cut into small squares, they make a wonderful addition to any holiday dessert platter, alongside other cookies and sweets.

📖 Recipe

RECIPE CARD

Pepernoten brownies

Andréa

These pepernoten brownies are wonderfully soft and chewy with a creamy chocolate filling and a light gingerbread pepernoten taste. Great for the wonderful Sinterklaas evening!

5 of 2 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Sweets and Sweet Baking

Cuisine American, Dutch

Servings 16 pieces

Calories 199 kcal

Equipment

• A conventional oven is used. When using a convection oven (with air fan) decrease the temperature with 30 °F / 20 °C

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Ingredients

• ▢ 60 grams butter , unsalted
• ▢ 125 grams dark chocolate , chopped into small pieces (for a rich, fudgy texture)
• ▢ 4 eggs , size L
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
• ▢ 50 grams pepernoten, crumbled (or speculaas/gingerbread for variation)
• ▢ 200 grams self-rising flour
• ▢ 200 grams sugar
• ▢ 20 grams Dutch unprocessed cocoa
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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

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  Preheat your oven to a steady 355 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). This ensures even baking from the start.
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  Carefully place a sheet of baking paper on the bottom of your chosen baking tin, allowing for easy removal of the brownies later.
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  In a saucepan, combine the butter and chopped dark chocolate. Melt them together over low heat, stirring occasionally until smooth and fully combined. Be careful not to burn the chocolate. Remove from heat once melted.
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  In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar along with the pinch of salt using an electric mixer. Whip on high speed for about 2 minutes until the mixture becomes light, foamy, and airy. This step is crucial for the brownie’s texture.
• ▢
  Gently pour the slightly cooled melted chocolate and butter mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Using a spatula, carefully fold everything together until just combined.
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  Next, sift in the self-rising flour and cocoa powder. Continue to fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture with your spatula until no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough brownies.
• ▢
  Add the crumbled pepernoten to the batter. Gently fold them in just until they are evenly distributed. This ensures their spice flavor permeates the brownies without losing their soft texture.
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  Pour the prepared batter evenly into your lined brownie tin. Spread it out with the spatula to ensure a consistent thickness. Place the tin carefully into the preheated oven.
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  Bake for approximately 25 minutes. Remember, brownies can look a bit soft in the middle when first removed from the oven, which is desired for that fudgy texture.
• ▢
  Once baked, remove the brownies from the oven. Allow them to cool completely to room temperature within the tin before attempting to cut them. This cooling period is essential for them to set properly and achieve their signature chewy consistency.
• ▢
  Once fully cooled, lift the brownies out of the tin using the parchment paper. Place them on a cutting board and slice them into square blocks of your desired size. Serve and enjoy your festive pepernoten brownies!

Notes

• In this recipe, you use ground pepernoten, but you could also use ground chocolate pepernoten, speculaas, or gingerbread cookies for a slightly different, yet equally delicious, spiced flavor profile.
• When you take the brownie out of the oven, it might appear to be still too soft in the center. This is normal and desired for a fudgy brownie! Do not worry; it will firm up significantly as it cools to room temperature.
• For best results, allow brownies to cool completely before slicing. This can take a couple of hours.

Nutrition

Calories: 199kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 97mgFiber: 2gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 156IUIron: 2mg

Keyword blondies and brownies recipe, Sinterklaas, Pepernoten

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