Sinterklaas Cupcakes

Sinterklaas is a holiday celebrated in The Netherlands on 5th December where children are given presents to celebrate the arrival of Sint Nicolaas. Candy and spiced cookies are traditionally eaten. We've taken the idea of the spiced cookies, called Pepernoten and created a cupcake with the same flavours. A great idea for young and old and something the kids can help with.

Ingredients
220 g unsalted butter, at room temperature
220 g caster sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs, whisked
220 g flour
8 g baking powder
pinch of salt
1 heaped teaspoon Speculaas or mixed spice

Frosting
250 g unsalted butter, at room temperature
500g icing sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
handful pepernoten or spiced cookies, crushed

Method
Preheat the oven to 180 C.

Cream the butter and the sugar together in a until light and fluffy. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Graudually add the whisked egg to the mixture. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and spiced together and fold in to the butter mixture. Spoon the mixture into a cupcake tin lined with paper cupcacke cases until two-thirds full.

Bake for about 20 -25 minutes until risen and bouncy to touch. Allow to cool.

For the frosting, beat the butter and icing sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract to flavour. If the mixture is a bit tight, add a splash of milk to thin it down.

Spoon the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a star nozzle and pipe the frosting on top of the cupcakes. Sprinkle with the crushed pepernoten or spiced cookies and serve.

We, the Amsterdam Flavours chefs, hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. If you have any questions on how to prepare it or just want to send us your feedback, you can reach us here Contact Amsterdam Flavours