In the Netherland we have a tradition on December 5th when “Sinterklaas” (quite similar to Santa Claus) comes bearing gifts. We eat “kruidnoten” which roughly translates to “Spice Nuts”, although they’re probably better known as gingerbread buttons.
To give you a bit more background on the “kruidnoot” as we know them in the Netherlands, this delicacy was already popular during the sixteenth century(!). But back then, they were eaten all year round. It was only around the nineteenth century they became associated with “Sinterklaas”. I’ve created a vegan recipe for you so you can indulge in this Dutch treat!
Vegan gingerbread buttons
Vegan 'kruidnoten', a traditional Dutch treat
Ingredients
- 250 g white flour
- 150 g brown sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 150 g vegan butter
- 2 tbsp oat milk
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Pinch of allspice
- Pinch of vanilla extract
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 160 C.
- Mix the dry ingredients and add the butter.
- Gradually add the oat milk and knead until you’ve got a smooth dough. If your dough is too dry, add some more oat milk.
- Dust your kitchen counter with some flour and roll out the dough. Now, to shape these buttons I roll the dough into a string and then with a knife cut it into very small pieces (see photo below).
- Roll the pieces into small balls and gently flatten them a little. Place on a baking tray and make sure that there’s enough space between them (see photo below).
- Bake the gingerbread buttons for 15 minutes. Allow them to cool down on a cooling rack.
- Enjoy with a hot chocolate or some mulled wine!
Kitchenoflion 
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