Peppernuts, also called Pfeffernüsse in German or kruidnoten in Dutch, are small, dense, round spiced cookies popular around Christmas in Germany and the Netherlands. The name refers to their small, nut-sized shape and to black pepper, one of several warming spices in the dough alongside cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom, though pepper plays a minor role compared to the others. They've been made since medieval times, when spices like these became more available in Europe through trade with the Middle East and Asia. In the Netherlands, kruidnoten are a fixture of the Sinterklaas holiday in early December, while in Germany, Pfeffernüsse are more closely tied to Christmas itself. The dough, made from flour, sugar, eggs, butter, and spices, is rolled into small balls and baked until the outside is crisp and the inside stays dense and chewy.