Sinterklaas Cookies
Indulge in a festive tradition with these delightful Sinterklaas Cookies, a cherished recipe passed down through generations. Each year, after unwrapping presents on Christmas Eve, we would prepare these crisp spice cookies, perfect for Santa’s midnight snack alongside a glass of milk.
Infused with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, these cookies evoke the cozy spirit of the holiday season. Whether enjoyed as a sweet treat after the excitement of gift-giving or savored with a morning coffee, they offer a comforting taste of nostalgia.
Simple yet satisfying, these cookies are easy to make and perfect for sharing. Create lasting memories with your loved ones as you bake and enjoy this festive delight, ensuring that Santa’s plate is filled with these scrumptious homemade treats.
Sinterklaas Cookies Ingredients
Butter serves as the rich foundation, lending a velvety texture and enhancing the cookies’ depth of flavor. Sugar and brown sugar add sweetness, balancing the spices while contributing to a delightful caramelized crust. Eggs introduce moisture and stability, ensuring a tender bite.
All-purpose flour provides the structure, allowing the cookies to hold their shape while remaining crisp. Ground cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg infuse the dough with warmth, creating that nostalgic holiday aroma that fills your kitchen and invites all to indulge.
Sinterklaas Cookies
After opening our gifts on Christmas Eve as children, we would make these cookies for Santa Claus to snack on with his glass of milk. The crisp spice cookies are delicious dipped in that milk—or in your coffee on Christmas morning.
Recipe Tips
- Chill Your Dough: One of the key steps to achieving perfectly crisp Sinterklaas cookies is allowing the dough to chill overnight. This not only firms up the dough, making it easier to slice, but also enhances the flavors as the spices meld together. If you’re short on time, chilling the dough for at least 2-3 hours will still yield tasty results, but overnight is ideal for flavor and texture.
- Customize Your Spices: While the traditional spices for Sinterklaas cookies include cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, feel free to experiment with other spices like ginger or allspice for a unique twist. Adjust the quantities to your taste, but keep in mind that strong spices can overpower the delicate flavor of the butter and sugar.
- Perfect Baking: To ensure your cookies bake evenly, avoid overcrowding the baking sheet. Leave at least 2 inches of space between each slice. If your oven tends to bake unevenly, consider rotating the baking sheets halfway through the baking time for a more consistent result. Keep a close eye on them; the cookies should be lightly golden around the edges while remaining soft in the center.
What to Serve with Sinterklaas Cookies
- Classic Milk: The most traditional accompaniment for these spice cookies is a tall glass of milk. The rich, creamy texture of milk perfectly complements the crispiness of the cookies and enhances their sweet and spicy flavors. For a festive touch, consider serving it with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a splash of vanilla extract.
- Warm Coffee or Hot Chocolate: Enjoy these cookies with a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate for a cozy treat. The robust flavors of coffee contrast beautifully with the sweet cookies, while hot chocolate adds an indulgent richness. Top your hot chocolate with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa for an extra special pairing.
- Spiced Tea: For a lighter, more aromatic option, serve the cookies with a cup of spiced tea. A chai or ginger tea will complement the spices in the cookies, providing a warming experience perfect for chilly winter evenings. The aromatic blend of spices in the tea will enhance the flavors of the cookies, making each bite even more delightful.
FAQ
- Can I freeze Sinterklaas cookie dough?
Yes! You can freeze the cookie dough after shaping it into rolls. Wrap the rolls tightly in waxed paper and then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to bake, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before slicing and baking. - How should I store the baked cookies?
Store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for about a week. For longer storage, consider freezing the cookies. Just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. - Can I use different types of flour?
While all-purpose flour is recommended for the best texture, you can experiment with whole wheat flour for a heartier flavor. If you use a gluten-free flour blend, ensure it is suitable for baking to maintain the cookies’ structure. - Why are my cookies spreading too much during baking?
If your cookies spread too much, it may be due to the butter being too warm or the dough not being chilled adequately. Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and always chill the dough as instructed to help maintain their shape while baking.
Sinterklaas Cookies
Ingredients
- 2-1/2 cups butter softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Begin by creaming the softened butter and both sugars together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes. Once well combined, incorporate the eggs, beating them in thoroughly. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining dry ingredients. Gradually add this mixture to the creamed butter and sugar until fully combined. Divide the dough into quarters and shape each portion into a roll measuring 12 inches in length. Wrap each roll securely in waxed paper and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). After the dough has chilled, unwrap the rolls and slice them crosswise into pieces that are approximately 3/4 inch thick. Arrange the slices on ungreased baking sheets, leaving a 2-inch space between each cookie. Bake in the preheated oven until the cookies are set, which should take about 10 to 12 minutes. Once baked, transfer the cookies from the pans to wire racks to cool completely.
