The Festive Sinterklaas Season

The Sinterklaas season brings coziness, gifts, and, of course, traditional treats. Enjoy the anticipation and make the festivities extra special with these delightful sweets, both delicious and nutritious!

Protein-Rich Pepernoten: A Healthy Alternative

This recipe makes about 25 protein-rich pepernoten—a healthier take on the traditional version. Perfect as a responsible snack!

Ingredients (for about 25 pieces)

• 125 g oat flour
• 25 g vanilla protein powder (e.g., Pure Whey or 100% Whey Protein of M Double You)
• 50 g coconut oil
• 5 tbsp almond milk or low-fat milk
• 3 tbsp speculaas spice mix
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of baking powder
• PEM Cooking spray or parchment paper

Tools Needed

• Mixing bowl
• Oven
• Baking sheet
• Blender, hand blender, or your hands

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 160 °C (320 °F).
2. Combine the oat flour, protein powder, speculaas spice mix, cinnamon, and coconut oil in a blender or with a hand blender—or mix by hand.
3. Gradually add the milk while mixing. The dough may feel slightly crumbly; this is normal.
4. Knead the dough into a cohesive ball with wet hands.
5. Lightly grease the baking sheet with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
6. Roll small balls of dough with wet hands and gently flatten them on the baking sheet.
7. Bake the pepernoten for 20 minutes in the preheated oven.
8. Allow to cool and enjoy this healthy treat!

Sinterklaas Cake with Almond Paste and Pepernoten

This deliciously festive Sinterklaas cake is a healthier alternative: a protein-rich speculaas cake filled with low-sugar almond paste and topped with pepernoten and almond flakes. Perfect for gift night or a cozy winter day!

Ingredients (for 14 servings)

For the cake

• 2 ripe bananas
• 180 g unsweetened applesauce
• 2 eggs
• 175 g oat flour (oats finely ground into flour)
• 90 g vanilla protein powder (e.g., 100% Whey Sensation)
• 8 g baking powder
• 5 g speculaas spice mix

For the almond filling

• 100 g chickpeas
• 100 g almond flour
• 25 g honey or agave syrup
• 1 tsp almond extract

For the topping

• 30 g (protein) pepernoten
• 10 g almond flakes

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven

• Preheat the oven to 185 °C (365 °F) and line a loaf tin with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the cake batter

• Mash the bananas in a large mixing bowl and stir in the applesauce and eggs.
• Add the oat flour, protein powder, baking powder, and speculaas spices, and mix into a smooth batter.

3. Make the almond filling

• Puree the chickpeas until smooth and mix with almond flour, honey or agave syrup, and almond extract. The texture should resemble traditional almond paste.

4. Assemble the cake

• Pour ¾ of the batter into the loaf tin.
• Shape the almond filling into a log and place it in the center of the batter.
• Cover with the remaining batter and garnish with almond filling bits, pepernoten, and almond flakes.

5. Bake

• Bake the cake for 50 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Test with a skewer—it should come out clean.
• Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing into 14 pieces.

Enjoy this delicious and nutritious festive treat!

Pepernoten Cheesecake

Combine the creamy texture of cheesecake with the warm, spiced flavor of pepernoten in this festive dessert. Perfect for Sinterklaas, or any occasion!

Ingredients

For the crust

• Pepernoten dough (see recipe for protein-rich pepernoten)
• 1 tbsp unsweetened almond milk

For the filling

• 400 g cottage cheese
• 250 g Greek yogurt
• 2 tsp speculaas spice mix
• 30 drops stevia (or another liquid sweetener)
• 2 egg whites

Tools Needed

• 16 cm springform pan
• Blender or food processor
• Optional: small ramekins

Instructions

1. Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 160 °C (320 °F).

2. Make the crust

• Prepare the pepernoten dough according to the recipe, adding an extra tablespoon of almond milk.
• Roll out half the dough into a circle large enough to fit the springform pan (16 cm diameter).
• Press the dough into the bottom of the pan, extending 2 cm up the sides.
• Pre-bake the crust for 10 minutes.

3. Prepare the filling

• Blend the cottage cheese in a blender or food processor until smooth.
• Add the Greek yogurt, speculaas spice mix, sweetener, and egg whites, mixing until combined.

4. Assemble the cheesecake

• Pour the filling over the pre-baked crust in the springform pan. If you have extra filling, pour it into small ramekins.
• Bake the cheesecake (and ramekins, if used) for 40 minutes at 160 °C.

5. Cool and set

• Let the cheesecake cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until fully set.

Enjoy this creamy, spiced cheesecake as a delightful end to a festive evening!