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speculaas (dutch style gingerbread biscuits)

(3 ratings)
GayleGoff avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Lisa 'Gayle' Goff
@GayleGoff
Chula Vista, CA

These are one of our family's favorite Dutch cookies. They bake thin and crisp. They are more of a biscuit than a cookie, thus the name.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Originating in the Netherlands, Speculaas cookies are a unique gingerbread cookie filled with warm spices. This version is made in a rustic style by simply rolling out the dough, baking it in one piece, and then breaking it into pieces. Using cake flour gives the cookies a nice crumble to their texture. We'd describe this biscuit as a gingerbread shortbread. A recipe for the unique speculaas spice is also included. It makes more than enough for a batch of cookies and extra to share as holiday gifts. Between the unique blend of spices and texture, these Dutch-style gingerbread biscuits are a cookie you'll remember.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(3 ratings)
yield 10 -15
prep time 2 Hr 15 Min
cook time 30 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For speculaas (dutch style gingerbread biscuits)

  • BISCUIT
  • 7 oz
    self-rising cake flour
  • 4 oz
    soft brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp
    Speculaas spice (this is very authentic and hard to find, see below to make your own)
  • 1 pinch
    salt
  • 5 oz
    chilled real butter (do not use margarine)
  • 2-3 Tbsp
    milk
  • SPECULAAS SPICE
  • 1/2 c
    cinnamon
  • 1/2 c
    cloves
  • 1/4 c
    nutmeg
  • 1/2 c
    ground ginger
  • 1/4 c
    cardamom
  • 1/8 c
    white pepper

How To Make speculaas (dutch style gingerbread biscuits)

  • Making the Speculaas spice.
    1
    For the Speculaas spice, add spices to a bowl and combine. You can use a pre-made gingerbread spice but it will not be the same. The gingerbread spices have allspice and no cardamom or white pepper, but use whatever suits your taste.
  • Flour, sugar, Speculaas spice, and salt in a bowl.
    2
    Combine flour, sugar, Speculaas spice, and salt.
  • Cutting butter into flour.
    3
    Dice the butter and mix into the flour using a pastry cutter or two knives.
  • Adding milk and kneading dough.
    4
    Then slowly add milk. With your hands quickly knead all into a firm dough (do this quickly so the heat from your hands does not warm the dough too much).
  • Dough wrapped in plastic wrap to chill.
    5
    Wrap the dough in Saran Wrap and let rest for at least 2 hours, but overnight is preferable to develop the spice flavor.
  • Roll out the dough.
    6
    Preheat oven to 375 F. Roll dough into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Baking the Speculaas cookies.
    7
    Bake for 30 minutes.
  • Cooling the Speculaas and slicing.
    8
    Cool on a wire rack. Break into pieces and serve.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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