Who are these baking methods for?

Bakers with sourdough discard

You already maintain a sourdough starter and want to use the discard to make soft pepernoten with rye, aniseed and speculaas spices, as in the recipe from Zuurdesemrecepten.nl.

Bakers with an active starter

You want to bake a risen sourdough loaf with speculaas spices and kruidnoten, rather than individual biscuits. Zuurdesemrecepten.nl’s bread recipe is designed for this.

Bakers of crunchy kruidnoten

You want to make crunchy kruidnoten without having to maintain a starter. Albert Heijn’s recipe uses self-raising flour instead of sourdough.

What should you check before buying?

Sourdough discard for soft pepernoten

Choose this if: you already have sourdough discard and want to bake soft pepernoten with rye and aniseed.

Bear in mind: Zuurdesemrecepten.nl describes the dough as stiffer and less elastic than kruidnoten dough; the pepernoten soften as they are stored.

Active starter for sourdough bread

Choose this if: you want to bake a risen loaf with kruidnoten and have an active starter.

Bear in mind: Zuurdesemrecepten.nl’s recipe involves bread-making and does not aim for a very open crumb; it will not make individual, crunchy kruidnoten.

Kruidnoten without sourdough

Choose this if: you mainly want to make crunchy, individual kruidnoten without maintaining a starter.

Bear in mind: Albert Heijn’s recipe uses self-raising flour, so it is not a way to use up sourdough discard.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Sourdough discard for pepernoten Check whether your recipe calls for sourdough discard. Zuurdesemrecepten.nl uses 100 g of discard with rye flour, aniseed and speculaas spices. If I want to use up sourdough discard, I look for a recipe for soft pepernoten rather than crunchy kruidnoten. Making use of sourdough discard is a priority for around 45% of consumers.
Active starter for bread Check what starter and bread-making equipment the recipe requires. Zuurdesemrecepten.nl’s bread recipe uses 150 g of active starter and mentions a proving basket and a Dutch oven. If you want to bake a festive loaf, you’ll need an active starter and kruidnoten to mix into the bread dough—not individual biscuits. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this bread-making project.
Kruidnoten without a starter Check whether the recipe calls for self-raising flour. Albert Heijn uses it to make crunchy kruidnoten without sourdough. If I mainly want crunchy kruidnoten without maintaining a starter, I look for a recipe without sourdough. For around 22% of consumers, this is their first-choice way to make kruidnoten.

Common mistakes

  • Buying or baking kruidnoten when you mean soft pepernoten

    Albert Heijn distinguishes crunchy kruidnoten flavoured with speculaas spices from softer, aniseed-flavoured pepernoten. The name you use can therefore lead you to a different recipe and texture.

    First decide what you want to make, then choose your flour, spices and any starter to suit.

  • Using rusks or chocolate sprinkles as dough ingredients

    The pepernoten, kruidnoten and sourdough bread recipes mentioned here use flour and, depending on the method, starter or self-raising flour. Rusks with chocolate sprinkles are not a substitute for these ingredients.

    Buy rusks and chocolate sprinkles if you want to eat them separately or deliberately use them as decoration. For the dough, follow the ingredients in your chosen recipe.

  • Assuming sourdough is a guide to nutritional value

    The types of flour used and the nutritional information for the finished product still matter. KRO-NCRV reports that there is no scientific evidence for the often-cited health benefits of sourdough bread.

    Choose a baking method based on the result you want. If you’re comparing packaged products, check the ingredients and nutritional values per 100 g.

  • Guessing allergens from a product name or image

    Ingredients in flour, chocolate sprinkles and baking products can vary between versions. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed on labels.

    Before buying, check the ingredients list and allergen information on every pack you plan to use.

Relevant brands and shops to explore

De Ruijter

De Ruijter is a brand of chocolate sprinkles and other sweet toppings for bread.

  • Kraft Heinz showcases various De Ruijter sprinkles and recipes that use them.
  • That still doesn’t make chocolate sprinkles a substitute for flour or starter in a pepernoten recipe.

Venz

Venz is worth considering if you’re looking for chocolate sprinkles as a topping or decoration.

  • Jumbo lists several Venz varieties, including milk chocolate sprinkles.
  • Check the ingredients of the specific variety for your needs; chocolate sprinkles are not starter or flour.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers a recipe for crunchy kruidnoten without sourdough.

  • The recipe includes self-raising flour, butter, sugar, speculaas spices and milk.
  • It is not a recipe for soft pepernoten made with sourdough discard or for sourdough bread.

Jumbo

Jumbo stocks its own-brand and other brands of chocolate sprinkles as bread toppings.

  • The category overview helps you compare varieties and pack sizes of chocolate sprinkles.
  • An overview of chocolate sprinkles won’t tell you which type of flour or starter your baking recipe needs.

Lidl

Lidl lists milk chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack.

  • The stated pack size is useful when comparing quantities of chocolate sprinkles.
  • Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging; chocolate sprinkles are not a base for sourdough.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are pepernoten and kruidnoten the same thing?

No. Albert Heijn calls the crunchy, round biscuits flavoured with speculaas spices kruidnoten, distinguishing them from softer, aniseed-flavoured pepernoten. Choose your recipe based on the texture you want.

Can I use sourdough discard to make pepernoten?

Yes, as long as you choose a recipe that calls for sourdough discard. Zuurdesemrecepten.nl uses 100 g of discard to make soft pepernoten with rye flour, aniseed and speculaas spices. The recipe creator describes the dough as stiffer and less elastic than kruidnoten dough.

Can I use rusks with chocolate sprinkles instead of starter or flour?

No, not as a substitute in the recipes discussed here. The recipes from Zuurdesemrecepten.nl and Albert Heijn specify their own types of flour and, where needed, starter or self-raising flour. Enjoy rusks with chocolate sprinkles separately, or use them as decoration only if that suits your recipe.

Where should I check for allergens when baking?

Check the ingredients list and allergen information on each specific pack, including flour, chocolate sprinkles and ready-made baking products. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains allergen labelling; don’t rely on a brand name or product photo to tell you what’s in a product.

What does baker’s salt tell me about the iodine in my bread?

The Dutch Commodities Act Decree on the Addition of Micronutrients to Foods defines baker’s salt as iodised table salt for bread and other baked goods. This does not tell you how much iodine is in your particular loaf. For packaged bread, check the ingredients, or ask your baker which salt was used if that matters to your choice.