Speculaaskoekjes

[Chufi]

Speculaaskoekjes

This is a traditional Dutch cookie, cloesely associated with the feast of Sinterklaas on December 5th. From early November onwards, the wonderful smell of spicy cookies is coming out of all the bakeries.

To make these cookies you need the special spicemix, speculaaskruiden. You can make your own, the spices that should be in there are: cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, aniseed, coriander, cardamom, in a ratio: cinnamon 3 : cloves 2: nutmeg 2: ginger 1/2: aniseed 1/2: coriander 1/2: cardamom 1/2.

Or you can PM your Dutch eGullet contact (that's me) and she'll be happy to send you some!

• 250 g flour
  
• 150 g soft butter
  
• 125 g dark soft brown sugar
  
• 1 tsp salt
  
• 1 tsp baking powder
  
• 1 T speculaas spices
  
• beaten egg, to glaze
  
• slivered almonds
  

Mix all ingredients except the egg and almonds into a dough. Leave this to rest in the fridge overnight, to allow the flavors of the spices to develop.

Next day, roll out thinly and cut into any desired shape. Put on a buttered baking sheet, brush with egg glaze, and sprinkle with the almonds. Bake in a preheated (180 C) oven for about 15 minutes.

note: the cookies in the picture are really thin. For a more traditional shape, roll out slightly thicker.

this recipe differs slightly from the recipe in the thread. It uses a bit less spices and I have added baking powder to make them a bit lighter.

Keywords: Easy, Cookie

( RG1858 )