Description
Traditional Spekulatius are crisp German spice cookies infused with warm flavors like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, perfect for festive baking and cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baker’s ammonia or baking powder
2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cardamom
¼ tsp ground cloves
Pinch of nutmeg
1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, cubed
½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
¼ cup (50 g) vanilla sugar
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour, baker’s ammonia or baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and vanilla sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until a firm dough forms.
- Wrap the dough and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness and press into molds or cut with cookie cutters.
- Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until lightly golden and crisp.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely before serving.
Notes
Increase cinnamon or add a pinch of white pepper for a stronger spice flavor.
Baker’s ammonia gives a more traditional crisp texture, but baking powder works as a substitute.
Brush cookies lightly with milk before baking for a shinier finish.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or in a sealed tin for up to 2 weeks.
To refresh, place cookies briefly in a low oven and cool again to restore crispness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
