Print

Speculaas Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 6 reviews

Speculaas are traditional spiced Dutch cookies characterized by a delightful blend of warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom. These buttery, crisp cookies are perfect for the holiday season or any cozy gathering, offering a nostalgic taste of festive warmth and aromatic flavors.

Ingredients

Dough Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom

Instructions

  1. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar using a mixer or spoon until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
  2. Add Milk: Pour in the milk and mix well until fully incorporated with the creamed butter and sugar, creating a moist mixture.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and the blend of spices: cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom to evenly distribute the flavors.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring continuously until a cohesive dough forms without lumps.
  5. Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape each into a flat disk, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to firm up the dough for easier rolling and better flavor development.
  6. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
  7. Roll and Shape Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out each chilled disk to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use speculaas molds or your preferred cookie cutters to cut the dough into desired shapes.
  8. Bake Cookies: Arrange the shaped cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving slight space between them. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes or until the edges become firm and slightly golden.
  9. Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes for stability, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to crisp up perfectly.

Notes

  • For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with almond or oat milk and use vegan butter.
  • Chilling the dough is essential for easier handling and to maintain the shapes of the cookies during baking.
  • Speculaas molds add traditional decorative patterns; if unavailable, use cookie cutters or shape by hand.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them crisp for up to one week.
  • Adjust the spices according to your preference for a milder or stronger flavor.

Find it online: https://lovelycooks.com/speculaas-cookies-recipe/