Traditional Dutch Speculaas Cookies: A Detailed Recipe Guide

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon speculaas spice mix (or substitute with a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger)
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons milk, at room temperature
1 egg, for egg wash

Steps and instructions

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, dark brown sugar, speculaas spice mix, and salt.
Add the room temperature unsalted butter to the dry ingredients and mix until the mixture starts to look like coarse crumbs.
Slowly pour in the milk while continuously mixing the ingredients until a dough starts to form.
Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and knead until it comes together. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface until it's about 1/2 inch thick.
Use a speculaas mold or cookie cutter to cut out shapes from the rolled dough, then place them onto the prepared baking sheet.
Brush the tops of the cookies with the egg wash.
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tools for making

Mixing Bowl - A large bowl for combining the dry ingredients and butter.
Speculaas Mold or Cookie Cutter - A tool for shaping the speculaas dough into desired shapes.
Baking Sheet - A flat sheet pan used for baking the speculaas cookies.
Parchment Paper - A non-stick paper for lining the baking sheet and preventing the cookies from sticking.
Plastic Wrap - Used to wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator.
Flour - Used for dusting the surface and preventing the dough from sticking during rolling and shaping.
Wire Rack - A cooling rack used to allow the baked cookies to cool and crisp up.
Pastry Brush - A brush used for applying the egg wash on top of the cookies before baking.

Recipe variations

Gluten-free variation: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Vegan variation: Replace the unsalted butter with vegan butter or coconut oil, and replace the milk with a non-dairy milk alternative.
Almond speculaas: Add 1/2 cup finely ground almonds to the dough for an extra nutty flavor.
Chocolate speculaas: Mix in 1/2 cup of finely chopped dark chocolate into the dough for a chocolate twist.
Orange zest speculaas: Add the zest of one orange to the dough for a citrusy aroma.
Cardamom speculaas: Substitute half of the speculaas spice mix with ground cardamom for a unique flavor profile.
Gingerbread speculaas: Replace the speculaas spice mix with gingerbread spice mix for a gingerbread twist on the traditional recipe.

Recipe overview

This Speculaas recipe will guide you through the process of making these classic Dutch spiced cookies. Known for their distinctive flavor achieved by using the Speculaas spice mix, these cookies offer a delicious blend of rich, warm spices perfect for the holiday season or any time you want to enjoy a special treat. The dough comes together quite quickly and after a brief chilling period, it's ready to be rolled out and cut into beautiful shapes. After a short time in the oven, your kitchen will be filled with a delightful aroma and you'll have a batch of beautiful, golden brown cookies. Whether you're making these for a festive occasion, as a delightful gift, or just for a cozy night in, you're sure to enjoy these Dutch delights.

Common questions

Can I substitute the speculaas spice mix with individual spices? Yes, if you don't have speculaas spice mix, you can use a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger as a substitute.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter? While it is possible to use salted butter, it's best to use unsalted butter to have more control over the saltiness of the cookies.
How long does the dough need to chill in the refrigerator? The dough should be chilled for at least one hour to allow it to firm up and make it easier to handle.
What should I do if I don't have a speculaas mold or cookie cutter? If you don't have a speculaas mold or cookie cutter, you can use any other cookie cutter shape or even shape the dough into small balls and flatten them with the bottom of a glass.
How should I store the speculaas cookies? Store the cooled speculaas cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Serving dishes and utensils

Mixing Bowl - A large bowl for combining the dry ingredients and butter.
Whisk - Used for thoroughly mixing the dry ingredients and butter.
Plastic Wrap - Used for wrapping and chilling the dough in the refrigerator.
Rolling Pin - Helps in rolling out the chilled dough to the desired thickness.
Floured Surface - A clean surface lightly dusted with flour for rolling out the dough.
Speculaas Mold or Cookie Cutter - Used to cut out shapes from the rolled dough.
Baking Sheet - A flat sheet for baking the cookies in the oven.
Parchment Paper - Placed on the baking sheet to prevent the cookies from sticking.
Pastry Brush - Used to apply the egg wash on the cookies.
Wire Rack - Allows the cookies to cool evenly and properly after baking.

Origin stories

Speculaas is a type of spiced shortcrust biscuit, traditionally baked for consumption on or just before St Nicholas' Day in the Netherlands, Belgium, and around Christmas in Germany. The name "speculaas" comes from the Latin speculum, which means mirror, and it represents the mirror image produced by the cookie molds that are used to make these traditional biscuits. The dough is pressed into intricately carved wooden molds that can depict anything from windmills and boats to animals and people, each with its own symbolism and story to tell. The speculaas spices are a distinct mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger – a blend that is believed to have originated from the spice trade routes in the Dutch East Indies, thereby connecting this simple cookie to a wider global history.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.