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Traditional Speculoos Cookies

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Whether you know them as speculoos, speculaas, spekulatius or Biscoff, few things are as irresistible as these positively delicious, buttery gingerbread shortcrust cookies!ย  Wonderfully crispy, crunchy, and deeply caramelized, these cookies are incredible and this Speculoos Cookies recipe is sure to become part of your annual holiday baking regimen!

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What Are Speculoos Cookies?

Speculoos, as they’re called in Belgium, are spiced gingerbread shortcrust cookies that are traditionally made and eaten on St. Nicholas Day and throughout the Christmas holiday season.  They’re traditionally embossed with designs using wooden molds, special rolling pins, or cookie stamps.  Speculoos are likewise popular in the Netherlands (speculaas or Dutch windmill cookies) and Germany (spekulatius).  This speculoos recipe creates those perfectly delicious, thin, crispy, crunchy, caramelized cookies that are positively irresistible eaten plain or dunked in a hot beverage.

Homemade Biscoff Cookies, Anyone?

If you haven’t heard of them by their traditional names, you’re most likely familiar their commercially-sold name:  Biscoff.  But let me tell you, the store-bought cookies, as good as they are, cannot compare with the rich and robust flavor of these homemade Biscoff cookies.  These crunchy, buttery gingerbread cookies are absolutely scrumptious!

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Where Did Speculoos Cookies Originate?ย 

Speculoos cookies go back to at least the mid-1600’s when the shoes of well-behaved children would be filled with them on the eve of December 5th.  The following day the children would rush out to see what Sinterklaas left behind for them.  The good children would empty their shoes and happily munch on their heaps of speculoos while the bad children were carried off in Sinterklaas’ burlap sack.  Such was the threat anyway.  From what history tells us no children were actually ever taken, leaving them with another chance to get it right the next year.

For centuries these cookies were a well-kept joint secret of Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany but have since become wildly popular throughout much of the world in the form of Lotus Bakeries’ famous Biscoff cookies, which are now sold in over 40 countries.

In their earliest days speculoos were embossed with the image of St. Nicholas and over the years a wide variety of images were used. The Belgian, Dutch and German versions of these cookies are similar but with slight variations of the ratios and amount of spices used as well as the thickness of the cookies.

Where Did the Name Originate?ย 

Historians believe the name’s origin comes from the Latin word speculum.  While the word speculum makes most of us cringe and really should be banned from anything having to do with food, the name, which simply translates as “mirror” from Latin, reflects the traditional method of embossing the cookies in wooden molds that created a “mirror image” of them.  Invasive medical instruments aside, speculoos molds were treasured family heirlooms that were passed down from one generation to the next.  Wooden molds are still made in Belgium, the Netherlands and in Germany and you can likewise find old antique ones circulating on the web (e.g., Etsy, eBay, etc) and in antique stores.  I have a collection of hand-carved 19th-century and newer wooden molds that I look forward to taking out each year for this special occasion of making speculoos.

speculoos cookies molds wooden

Do You Need Special Molds to Make Speculoos Cookies?ย ย 

Not at all.  They will taste exactly the same no matter what shape they are.  You can simply cut them in rectangles (like Biscoff cookies) and enjoy them plain and simple.  However if you’d like to go the traditional route of embossing them, you can use traditional wooden molds as mentioned above.  For example, a wooden Dutch Windmill mold is something you’ll commonly find in the Netherlands (here in the U.S. we call them “Dutch windmill cookies”).  Or you can use silicon molds.  Alternatively you can use cookie stamps.  I have several sets from Nordic Ware like this one, this one, and this one and they are built to last.

Another option is wooden mold rolling pin that stamps designs onto the cookie dough as you roll it out.  I have a mold rolling pin similar to this one that I brought back with me from Germany when I moved to the U.S..  So there are a lot of options out there, both inexpensive and expensive, and you can go as simple or as fancy as you want.

speculoos cookies rolling pin

Speculoos Cookies Ingredients

Speculoos cookies are made with both flour, nut flour, butter, egg yolks, vanilla, lemon zest, and a variety of spices. Let’s take a closer look at what you’ll need:

  • Butter – adds flavor and richness
  • Dark brown sugar – adds a nice caramel flavor
  • Egg yolks – adds richness
  • Heavy cream – adds some fat and richness
  • Vanilla extract – adds flavor and enhances sweetness
  • Lemon zest – adds flavor and some contrasting tanginess
  • Almond or hazelnut flour – adds flavor and contributes to a lighter, crispier texture
  • All-purpose flour – along with the nut flour forms the base
  • Spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, anise seed, and cardamom
  • Salt – counterintuitively, salt actually enhances sweetness
  • Baker’s ammonia (more on this below)

What is Baker’s Ammonia?

Baker’s ammonia, or ammonium bicarbonate, is what was traditionally used as a leavening agent up until 19th century when baking powder or baking soda came along.  But that is not to say that baking powder/soda replaced baker’s ammonia because they are in fact different chemical compounds and they yield different results.  For that reason some recipes, especially in Europe and the Middle East, still call for baker’s ammonia – specifically low-moisture baked goods like crackers and crispy cookies.

Baker’s Ammonia vs. Baking Powder vs. Baking Soda

Baker’s ammonia consists of tiny crystals that break down during the baking process, leaving tiny air pockets behind that create a unique honey-combed, porous crumb for a crispier, crunchier texture.ย  This unique texture is something that neither baking powder nor baking soda can replicate, which instead will yielder much harder, denser cookies without the same crisp-crunch effect.ย  Baker’s ammonia is also unique from baking powder or baking soda in that it contributes to a more uniform spread in the cookies and also increases browning for that wonderful caramelized effect. Baker’s ammonia does have a very strong, very unpleasant odor but don’t be put off by that – the odor and taste will dissipate during baking.

Speculoos are a prime example of the kind of cookie that greatly benefits from the use of baker’s ammonia for all the reasons mentioned above.  Another example is German Springerle.

Any brand of baker’s ammonia will do the trick, just select one that’s food grade.   Iโ€™ve been using this one from Amazon.

what is baker's ammonia

Can Speculoos Cookies Be Made in Advance?

Yes! One of the advantages of these cookies is that they’re supposed to be made well in advance.ย  So you can get some of your Christmas baking done at least a couple of weeks before you’ll even need them.ย  Speculoos cookies are supposed to be stored in airtight tins for at least a couple of weeks before eating them to allow their flavors to mature.

While they’re delicious straight out of the oven, their flavor only gets better with time.  This also means they’re perfect for gift-giving as they store and ship well.  And you’ll score major points with your friends and family!

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Speculoos Cookies Recipe

Let’s get started!

In a mixing bowl combine the flour, baker’s ammonia, salt and spices.  Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, place the brown sugar, butter, egg yolks, cream, vanilla and lemon zest.  Cream this butter mixture until smooth and pale, 5-6 minutes.

combining dry and wet ingredients in separate bowls

Add the almond/hazelnut flour and mix until combined.

While beating, gradually add this flour mixture to the wet mixture.

mixing batter in stand mixer

Form the dough into a ball, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and let it rest in a cool place (NOT in the fridge or it will become brittle) for at least 5 hours or overnight.

wrapping dough

If you’re using a mold rolling pin you can roll the dough out between two sheets of plastic wrap to a thickness of just under 1/4 inch (4mm), peel off the top sheet of plastic wrap, use the mold rolling pin to roll the designs out onto the dough, then cut out the cookies and place them on a non-stick cookie tray.

pressing shapes into dough

If you’re using molds give them a light dusting of flour to prevent sticking.  No need to roll out the dough if you’re using molds, simply take some of the dough and roll it in your palms to the length of the mold, lightly flour the dough (depending on your particular mold you may need that additional bit of flour to prevent sticking), and press it into the mold.

Keeping your knife parallel to the speculoos mold and using a sawing motion, gently cut away the excess dough off the mold so that all you’re left with is the dough that’s shaped inside the mold.  Save the dough scraps to roll out to make the rest of the cookies.  Invert the mold onto your lined cookie sheet and tap and gently peel until it comes out.

pressing dough into molds
speculoos cookies recipe homemade biscoff autuentic traditional speculaas spekulatius gingerbread biscuits belgian belgium german christmas baking holiday dessert

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bake the speculoos on the middle rack for 10-12 minutes or until nicely browned and caramelized. Let the speculoos cookies cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Store them in an airtight container. It is best to wait at least a week before eaten them to allow the flavors to develop. Will keep in an airtight container in a cool place for several weeks.

how to store speculoos cookies

Enjoy by the speculoos cookies by themselves or dipped in milk, tea, coffee, or hot chocolate.

Enjoy!

speculoos cookies recipe homemade biscoff autuentic traditional speculaas spekulatius gingerbread biscuits belgian belgium german christmas baking holiday dessert

For more traditional Christmas goodies try my:

speculoos cookies recipe speculaas homemade biscoff spekulatius traditional gingerbread shortbread

Traditional Speculoos Cookies

Whether you know them as speculoos, speculaas, spekulatius or Biscoff, few things are as irresistible as these positively delicious, buttery gingerbread shortcrust cookies!ย  Wonderfully crispy, crunchy and deeply caramelized, they're sure to become part of your annual holiday baking regimen!
4.95 from 117 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Resting Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 42 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Belgian, Dutch, German
Servings 30 cookies (depending on size)
Calories 194 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 1/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter , softened at room temperature
  • 2 large egg yolks (if the dough is too dry add some extra egg yolk)
  • 3 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon quality pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 1 cup almond or hazelnut flour
  • 3 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baker's ammonia (see blog post for explanation)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground anise seed
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

Instructions
 

  • Beat the brown sugar, butter, egg yolks, cream, vanilla and lemon zest in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or use an electric mixer) until it's pale and fluffy, 5-6 minutes. Add the almond/hazelnut flour and mix until combined.
    In a separate bowl combine the flour, baker's ammonia, salt and spices. While beating, gradually add this flour mixture to the wet mixture. (If not using a stand mixer use a wooden spoon while you can and then knead with your hands.) If the dough is too dry/crumbly add a little extra egg yolk as needed.
    Form the dough into a ball, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and let it rest in a cool place (NOT the fridge or it will become brittle) for at least 5 hours or overnight.
  • Roll the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface to a thickness of about 4mm or just under 1/4 inch. You can simply cut them into small rectangles (like Biscoff cookies) or you can use molds, cookie stamps, a molded rolling pin or any cookie cutters of your choice to shape the speculoos (see blog post pictures for instructions on how to use molds and molded rolling pins). If using molds be sure to lightly flour them first to prevent sticking. Cut out the cookies and place them on a non-stick baking sheet. Chill the cookies for at least one hour before baking.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
    Bake the speculoos on the middle rack for 10-12 minutes or until nicely browned and caramelized. Let the speculoos cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
    Store them in an airtight container. It is best to wait at least a week before eaten them to allow the flavors to develop. Will keep in an airtight container in a cool place for several weeks.
    Enjoy by the speculoos by themselves or dipped in your favorite hot beverage.

Nutrition

Serving: 2cookiesCalories: 194kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 46mgPotassium: 39mgFiber: 1gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 227IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Biscoff, Speculaas, Speculoos Cookies (Homemade Biscoff), Spekulatius
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Originally published on The Daring Gourmet November 23, 2019

kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Hi, Iโ€™m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!

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Recipe Rating




4.95 from 117 votes (88 ratings without comment)

110 Comments

  1. Incredibly delicious with a lovely crunch. My designs didn’t come out quite as nice as yours but no matter, the FLAVOR made up for it!

  2. There were absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS! I’ve tried other recipes and I am so happy I found yours. The flavor is amazing and the crunchy texture is spot on. I’m keeping this one for good and am looking forward to trying more of your recipes.

  3. I followed directions and they lost their embossing in the oven. Very disappointed after waiting so long for dough to rest and cool

  4. The flavor is quite nice, but mine turned out soft not crisp. I am trying another batch that I am going to cook longer than 12 minutes. I followed the recipe exactly so not sure what happened. They still taste lovely but I am not a soft cookie fan for this type of biscuit

  5. A quick question: Could I also use Rapadura/ Sucanat sugar in place of dark brown sugar? I always try to do my best to use more natural ingredients, and would love to use it in this recipe, if possible. ;-)

  6. If one wanted to make them nut free (yes I know that takes away from the authenticity but allergy) how much wheat flour would you compensate with? I know itโ€™s not 1:1 and Iโ€™ll play around with it but I figured I would ask in case you knew right off. Also it may help others! Thanks

  7. I forgot to ask – I wonder if you could shape a long rectangular roll and cut them off individually with a knife like refrigerator cookies.??

  8. This is a good recipe: I put them in the frig. for an hour or so, and then put them in a small cooler overnight by a cold door. The dough was still cool in the morning and easy to roll. I used only about 3 cups of flour and probably used ~1/4 cup in the rolling overall. I found it slightly dry but I rolled them in small batches, 3 or 4 round cookies at a time. Sometimes using a knife to scrap off the board, but not difficult. I didn’t try using molds. I was precise in measuring the spices – if I make them again, I will use a little more, perhaps 3/4 tsp., 2 tsp. lemon peel for my taste. However, I don’t think you want to get them overly spicy like gingerbread, because they are not that. I used baking soda, and rolled them about 1/8″ thick. They’re good with a cup of coffee. I’m not sure I would have been successful with molds, as beautiful as they are, I decided I needed to keep it simple. Also, my almond flour was past the date, but I used it anyway, if I do them again, I will try to make my own flour, putting almonds in the food processor, perhaps that will help the flavor.

  9. These are fantastic! Super yummy and pretty easy honestly. My only issue is that with my deeper mold these cookies expanded too much, but the thinner windmill I have looks a bit wobbly but decent enough for home baking. I wonder if anyone has had some experience in getting their cookies to stay shape better? I’ll make these again for Christmas and leave in the fridge for much longer than an hour to test that.
    Thank you!!

  10. These tasted very good, however they rose a bit too much and I lost most of the detail from the wooden molds I used. I have searched for years and it seems the recipes that make a nice looking, highly detailed cookie tend to be tough and recipes that make a nicely textured cookie (tender and crisp) donโ€™t hold the details of the large molds I use. Any suggestions out there?
    p.s. I followed recipe exactly