Introduction to Speculaas


Speculaas, Speculoos, Spekulatius 

 Speculaas are thin, very crunchy, caramelized, slightly browned, spiced cookies. They are made using sturdy, carved wooden molds that depict ornately detailed figures like animals or costumed men and women. The back is flat.
They were peculiar to Belgium, Holland, Rhineland and Westphalia. Nowadays they are available world-wide.


Speculaas have a special place in my heart. We ate them at Christmas time. You put your hand into the box, pulled out a thin, spicy cookie … and that crispy thing went right into your mouth. Repeat. There were quite a few cookies in a 500 gram box.

I had all forgotten about these little gems – all these years living in foreign countries do that to you.

But in recent years “molded cookies” became a big subject in my life. I fell in love with cookies that require a mold, preferable a wooden one. It brings me back to the “good, old days”, when life was simpler. Butter, sugar, flour, spices …. No need for chemicals or food coloring.

An added bonus: Speculaas can only be bought in the small version in the supermarket, especially around the holidays. The big once – not even the internet can supply them. At least I have not seen them. You have to make them yourself.  J

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