Speculaas – Dutch Spice Cookies Recipe
Overview:
Speculaas, the quintessential Dutch spice cookies, are a delightful treat, especially cherished during the festive season of Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas Day, December 5) in Holland. These cookies emanate a captivating aroma and a symphony of sweet spices, making them an irresistible delight for any occasion. The dough is prepared ahead and left to chill overnight, enhancing the flavors and textures, culminating in a delightful cookie experience.
Recipe Information:
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Prep Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours and 12 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 48 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Keywords: Cookie & Brownie, Dutch, European, Weeknight
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | Dark brown sugar |
| 3 tbsp | Milk |
| 1/2 tsp | Baking powder |
| 1 1/4 cups | Butter |
| 1 1/2 tsp | Cinnamon |
| 1/2 tsp | Ground ginger |
| 3/4 tsp | Salt |
| 1/2 tsp | Ground cloves |
| 3 cups | All-purpose flour |
| 1 1/2 tsp | Ground nutmeg |
| 3 tbsp | Sliced almonds |
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 95.9
- Fat: 5.5g
- Saturated Fat: 3.1g
- Cholesterol: 12.8mg
- Sodium: 64.7mg
- Carbohydrates: 10.8g
- Fiber: 0.4g
- Sugar: 4.5g
- Protein: 1.1g
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Dough:
- In a bowl, combine dark brown sugar and milk until smooth.
- In another bowl, sift together the dry ingredients: baking powder, flour, cinnamon, ginger, salt, ground cloves, and nutmeg.
- Blend in the butter with the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles cornmeal.
- Add the sugar and milk mixture along with the sliced almonds. Mix well to form a dough.
-
-
Chill Overnight:
- Wrap the dough in foil or wax paper.
- Refrigerate the dough overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.
-
Roll and Cut:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to a thin consistency.
- Use Christmas-themed cookie cutters or any desired shapes such as windmills.
- Dust the cookie cutter with flour to prevent sticking.
-
Bake:
- Place the cut-out cookies on a greased or lined baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
-
Serve and Enjoy:
- Once cooled, these fragrant speculaas cookies are ready to be enjoyed with a cup of hot tea or coffee, or shared with loved ones during festive gatherings.
Notes:
- The overnight refrigeration of the dough enhances the flavor and texture of the cookies.
- Feel free to customize the shapes of the cookies according to the occasion or personal preference.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for several days, ensuring that the delightful flavors are preserved.
Indulge in the warmth and aromatic charm of these traditional Dutch speculaas cookies, perfect for celebrating cherished moments with family and friends. 🍪✨
