Sinterklaas (or Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children) brings gifts to all good children on the eve before his name day, which is celebrated on the 6th of December. So on the 5th of December, late in the evening and during the night, he and his helpers will climb across the rooftops, to deliver presents all in secret, for children to find them early in the morning.
Exiting time
The weeks leading up to Sinterklaas are very exciting for all children. And for the parents and other family members, who will do everything they can, to keep this tradition very much alive and make sure the children believe in Sinterklaas for as long as possible. Wish lists are written, homes are decorated, songs will be sung and… loads of sweet treats will be eaten. There are many sweets, cookies, pies and more, that will typically be eaten this time of year, such as chocolate letters, speculaas (spiced crunchy cookie, kind of like ginger snaps) and Kruidnoten (spiced, bite-sized cookies).
Muffins
With Christmas also approaching, this time of year is not the most healthy one. That’s why we try to sneak in a few healthier recipes, like my healthier version of the traditional Kruidnoten. But it doesn’t always have to be healthy. As long as we try to balance the hell out of it (some days are better than others), we can have a not so healthy treat and enjoy it. Like these utterly delicious Sinterklaas muffins we made. Super fluffy and tasty with cinnamon and ginger. With all the sugar. Alright, lightened up a bit with Greek yogurt and vegetable oil. Balance, right…
Ingredients
2 eggs
125 g white sugar
125 g light brown sugar
120 ml vegetable oil
250 g Greek yogurt
250 g plain flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
75 g mini spiced cookies or chopped up ginger cookies
Extra cookies for topping
Instructions
Preheat oven to 180°C and grease a muffin tin or line with paper or silicone cups.
Beat the eggs with the sugars and oil until creamy.
Add the yogurt and mix well.
In a separate bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and ginger.
Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and whisk until just combined.
Fold in the cookies.
Pour batter into prepared muffin tin/cups. I use an ice cream scoop for portioning.
Sprinkle a few cookies/pieces on top.
Bake ca. 25 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Let cool and enjoy!

Sinterklaas Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 125 g white sugar
- 125 g light brown sugar
- 120 ml vegetable oil
- 250 g Greek yogurt
- 250 g plain flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 75 g mini spiced cookies or chopped up ginger cookies
- Extra cookies for topping
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 180°C and grease a muffin tin or line with paper or silicone cups.
-
Beat the eggs with the sugars and oil until creamy.
-
Add the yogurt and mix well.
-
In a separate bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and ginger.
-
Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and whisk until just combined.
-
Fold in the cookies.
-
Pour batter into prepared muffin tin/cups. I use an ice cream scoop for portioning.
-
Sprinkle a few cookies/pieces on top.
-
Bake ca. 25 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
-
Let cool and enjoy!
Roelina
November 26, 2017Wauw, lekker zeg! Leuk om pepernoten als ingredient te gebruiken. Ik maakte pepernotenpannenkoeken afgelopen weekend. gewoon fijngemalen door het beslag en er mee doorheen gebakken. Zo simpel, maar zo lekker!
Nicole
November 27, 2017Oh, dat klinkt ook lekker, pepernotenpannenkoeken!