Spekulatius are thin and crispy spice cookies that most people probably know because of their beautiful shape
The typical German spice cookies are made with cinnamon, cloves and cardamom, that also gives the cookie not only taste but also a wonderfully dark brown color
Spekulatius, or Speculoos in English, is a thin crispy spice cookie made of seasoned shortcrust pastry in the form of figurative representations. The origin of the pastry is believed to have originated in Belgium and the Netherlands; but other regions such as the Lower Rhine or Westphalia also make some claims. In Dutch it is called Speculaas, in French as Spéculoos.
The relief shape can be easily obtained by wooden molds, or silicon baking molds with corresponding patterned shapes, or a molding roll. With such a Spekulatius roller you only have to roll out the dough. Of course you can also simply cut out the cookies and eat them without elaborate reliefs.
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The stamping technique may be derived from the molds used in some Christian traditions to mark sacramental bread, and the earliest molds featured religious motifs, including scenes from Bible stories and Christian symbols. Later, in the 17th and 18th century, heraldic themes of knights and fashionably dressed ladies became popular.
Nativity Rolling Pin with 9 Distinctive Nativity Scene Patterns, Christmas Embossed Designs for Holiday Baking
In addition to Spice Speculatius, there is the Almond Spekulatius, which is somewhat more subtly seasoned and is coated with sliced almonds on the underside before baking. Just place sliced almonds on the cookie sheet and the cookies on top, then bake.
Spekulatius, a spicy Christmas Cookie
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/8 cup butter (room-temperature)
- 2 medium eggs (room-temperature)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
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Instructions
- In a large bowl mix the sugar and vanilla extract with soft butter until well combined.
- Beat in eggs, add one at a time.
- Sift the flour in to the bowl.
- Add the baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom.
- Place mixture on pastry sheet and knead by hand until it forms to a stiff dough.
- Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hrs wrapped in plastic wrap.
- Preheat oven to 350 F
- You can now roll out the dough with your Christmas themed rolling pin, or follow steps below if using a mold.
- Preparing mold, shaping the Cookies:
- Oil and flour a Spekulatius mold and tap out all excess flour.
- Roll a golf ball-size piece of dough between your lightly floured hands into an egg shape.
- Press the dough into the mold, filling all crevices.
- Use a sharp knife or piece of kitchen twine to cut off excess dough, so the dough is flush with mold.
- Tap the mold on the counter to release the cookie dough, or use a sharp knife to start the release of dough.
- Carefully place the cookie on a cookie sheet and repeat with the rest of the dough.
- If this process becomes too burdensome, or you do not own an Spekulatius cookie mold, roll the dough 1/8 inch thick and cut out cookies using your favorite cookie cutters.
- Bake in an oven heated to 350 F for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cookies brown slightly around the edges.
Notes
These cookies can be decorated like conventional sugar cookies, but the old-fashioned mold imprints should not be overshadowed, nor should the delicate flavor of the dough be masked.
Store the cooled cookies tightly covered in a tin or plastic container. They should keep for several weeks, if not month.
Thank you,interested to try it