Dutch Pepernoten Loaf Cake Recipe

Are you ready for a simple yet incredibly delicious holiday bake? Then you’re going to love this Dutch pepernoten loaf cake. This cozy, spiced cake brings all the warm Sinterklaas vibes straight into your kitchen.

Sinterklaas is a traditional Dutch holiday and somewhat similar to Santa Claus although definitely not the same.

Why this recipe works

This cake is based on my classic vanilla cake recipe, but with a festive twist. A few small additions like warm speculaas spices (similar to pumpkin pie spice) and crunchy Dutch spiced cookies (also known as pepernoten) turn it into a true holiday favorite.

A splash of milk keeps the texture light and moist because the cookies absorb some of the moisture as the cake bakes.

Baking tip: Invest in a sturdy rectangular loaf pan. A good one will last for years and is a must-have in every baker’s kitchen.

What Are Pepernoten (Dutch Spiced Cookies)?

In the Netherlands, these tiny cookies are a holiday favorite. It’s an easy recipe and one of my favorite Dutch recipes for sure. They’re crisp, bite-sized, and full of delicious spices. Think of them as a cross between ginger snaps and speculoos cookies.

Traditionally, they’re tossed into gift bags or scattered around for kids during Sinterklaas celebrations, but they’re also wonderful to bake with.

If you can’t find authentic kruidnoten or pepernoten, don’t worry, you can easily substitute them with ginger snaps or Biscoff cookies. The flavor and texture will be similar. The key is to use crunchy cookies.

Recipe Ingredients

unsalted butter – Use a good-quality butter for best flavor.
granulated sugar
vanilla sugar – Or 1 tsp vanilla extract.
eggs – Medium-sized.
self-rising flour
speculaas spice mix – Or use pumpkin pie spice as an alternative.
milk – Keeps the cake soft and moist.
pepernoten or spiced cookies – want to try using traditional Dutch pepernoten cookies? Make them yourself with this original recipe.

Expert tip

When the cake first comes out of the oven, the cookies on top are wonderfully crisp. As it cools and you store it, they’ll soften slightly. This is perfectly normal and gives the cake that signature chewy texture.

Other Fun Loaf Cake Recipes

I love baking loaf cakes and below are a fun other great examples. Make sure to check all cake recipes here.

How To Make Dutch Pepernoten Loaf Cake

1

Make a batter by combining all the ingredients in the order mentioned

2

Dust the pepernoten with a bit of flour before adding them to the batter

3

Add the batter into the loaf tin and sprinkle some additional pepernoten and almonds over the top

4

Bake until golden brown and cooked through

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How do I keep the cookies from sinking to the bottom?

Toss them in a little flour before folding them into the batter. This helps the batter “grip” the cookies so they stay evenly distributed.

Can I make this cake without the cookies?

Yes! Simply leave out the milk as well and follow the rest of the recipe as written.

Can I bake cupcakes with this recipe?

Absolutely. You will need a shorter baking time if you do. Bake at 350°F/180°C for about 20 minutes.

Can I use chocolate-covered pepernoten?

Yes, just keep in mind that chocolate pepernoten are heavier, so you’ll need a bit more by weight to get the same amount.

Storage

Wrap the cooled cake in aluminum foil or store it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to a week at room temperature. In the freezer, it keeps up to 3 months.

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