Dutch Pepernoten Cookies

Dutch Pepernoten Cookies

cookies with a hint of pepper

Reviewed by Arturs Arnicans
Prep Time: 35m
Cook Time: 10m
Total Time: 45m
Temp.: 350 °F
Servings: 77
Difficulty: Easy
4.9 (22 Reviews)
Cooking Mode
Prevents your screen from turning off while cooking

Ingredients

Adjust servings:

Nutritional Information

39
Calories
2g
Fat
8mg
Cholesterol
31mg
Sodium
4.7g
Carbohydrate
0.2g
Fiber
Dutch Pepernoten Cookies

Recipe Description

I don’t know about you, but I am already thinking about recipes for Сhristmas desserts and these Dutch Pepernoten Cookies are top of my list of Christmas cookie recipes! “Peper” means pepper in Dutch and you might find it surprising that one of the ingredients in these spicy cookies is ground black pepper! Try them! You won’t be disappointed!

To make these cookies, cream together the butter and sugar and beat in egg. Add the dry ingredients including the spices and beat well until you have cookie dough. Divide the dough into 1 teaspoon size portions. Roll each portion into a small ball and place on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes before removing and leaving to cool. Enjoy at Christmas time with hot chocolate or glasses of milk.

To make Dutch Pepernoten Cookies, you will need the following ingredients:

Ingredients for Dutch Pepernoten Cookies

Steps to make

  1. 1

    Heat oven and prepare baking sheet

    1 min
    Step 1 - Dutch Pepernoten Cookies

    Preheat the oven to 350 °F and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.

  2. 2

    Combine butter and sugar

    5 min
    Step 2 - Dutch Pepernoten Cookies

    Cream together ¾ cup of butter and 1 cup sugar until fully combined.

  3. 3

    Add egg

    3 min
    Step 3 - Dutch Pepernoten CookiesStep 3 - Dutch Pepernoten Cookies

    Beat 1 large egg into the butter and sugar mixture.

  4. 4

    Add dry ingredients

    5 min
    Step 4 - Dutch Pepernoten CookiesStep 4 - Dutch Pepernoten Cookies

    Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of ground cloves, 2 teaspoons of ground ginger, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper to the butter mixture and beat well.

  5. 5

    Shape cookies

    20 min
    Step 5 - Dutch Pepernoten Cookies

    Roll teaspoon sized portions of cookie dough into little balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Leave 2 inches of space between each one.

  6. 6

    Bake

    10 min
    Step 6 - Dutch Pepernoten Cookies

    Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.

  7. 7

    Cool on baking sheet

    5 min
    Step 7 - Dutch Pepernoten Cookies

    Remove the cookies from the oven and leave to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet.

  8. 8

    Transfer to wire rack

    15 min
    Step 8 - Dutch Pepernoten Cookies

    Transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack. Leave until completely cooled.

  9. 9

    Serve

    Step 9 - Dutch Pepernoten Cookies

    Serve with glasses of milk or hot chocolate.

Dutch Pepernoten Cookies are delicious cookies with just a hint of pepper. Come back if you try these and leave a comment below!

About the author

Jelena Mardere

Jelena is an interior designer and young mom! As a busy working mom, her time is precious so she’s always looking for a quick and efficient way to get things done. Jelena is very creative, but has a strong practical side. She loves trying new things and travels a lot, especially around Europe. The kitchen is Jelena’s safe space, where she can let her creative side out and dedicate herself to her favorite hobby - cooking!

Recipe Reviews

Have you made this recipe? Share your experience and help other cooks!

★★★★★
★★★★★
4.9 out of 5 (22 reviews)
Dylan
March 26, 2025
Verified

I just made these Dutch Pepernoten Cookies and I can't believe how amazing they turned out! The mix of spices is so unique, especially the pepper. I loved sharing them with my friends at our holiday gathering. They disappeared so fast, it felt proud to bake such a hit!

Fiona Baker
December 31, 2024
Verified

Delicious!

Fiona Smith
November 13, 2024
Verified

These cookies are exceptional. My kids loved making them.

Olive
November 8, 2024
Verified

Absolutely delicious cookies! My kids had a blast baking them with me for Christmas, and the flavor is so unique. Can't wait to make them again!

Gemma
October 1, 2024
Verified

Superb! Made these with the kids for Christmas, and they're addictive. The black pepper gives a unique twist, which I absolutely love. We can't stop munching them with our hot chocolate!

Gina
September 13, 2024
Verified

These Pepernoten Cookies are a hit! Made 'em for a holiday party, and they vanished quick! Definitely making again!

Olivia
May 28, 2024
Verified

Absolutely delicious cookies!

Will
February 11, 2024
Verified

Superb! I baked these cookies last Christmas and they were a hit at the family gathering. The spices are just right and the texture is perfect. Definitely making them again.

Ryan
February 11, 2024
Verified

These cookies are amazing. I made them for my wife and she loved them. The combination of spices is just perfect and the taste is unforgettable. Perfect for Christmas gatherings with family and friends. Don't miss trying these.

Victor Greene
January 12, 2024
Verified

Delicious family tradition.

Isaac Johnson
November 2, 2023
Verified

Man, these Dutch Pepernoten Cookies are seriously the bomb! I made 'em last Christmas and my fam couldn't get enough. The combo of spices, especially the black pepper, is wild. Super easy to whip up too, totally a winner!

Lucas Foster
October 12, 2023
Verified

Cookies rock hard!

YummyDave
October 12, 2023
Verified

Amazing! We baked these together as a family and they vanished before we could serve them.

Gina Roberts
October 7, 2023
Verified

These cookies are a game changer. Made them last year with my kids and now it's a holiday tradition. So good!

Ursula
September 6, 2023
Verified

Deliciosos y especiados. Mis hijos ayudaron a hacerlos para Navidad, ¡fue muy divertido! El toque de pimienta es sorprendente y los hace únicos. Sin duda, una receta que repetiré. Gracias por compartir.

Taste of the dish
Accuracy of stated difficulty
Instruction accuracy
Would you recommend this recipe to others?
0/1000
Add photos
Upload photos of your result. This will help others see how the dish should look.

Author Information

Email will not be displayed publicly