DUTCH SPECULAAS

Dutch Speculaas image

These Dutch spice cookies taste similar to the windmill cookies we enjoy in the United States. In Holland, it's tradition to mold the dough into the shape of St. Nicholas and serve the baked cookies on Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas Day). -Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield about 2-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon molasses
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup finely ground almonds
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

Steps:

In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, molasses and orange zest. Combine the flour, ground almonds, cinnamon, baking powder, nutmeg, cloves, pepper, ginger and cardamom. Gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until easy to handle. , Preheat oven to 350°. On a parchment-lined surface, roll a small amount of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Use a floured cookie stamp to press design into dough, then cut with floured 3-in. cookie cutters, leaving 1 in. between cookies. Remove excess dough and reroll scraps, if desired., Transfer parchment with dough to cookie sheet. If dough has warmed, place baking sheet in refrigerator until it firms up, about 10-15 minutes. Bake at 350° until edges are lightly browned, 8-10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 151 calories, Fat 7g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 30mg cholesterol, Sodium 65mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.