Name: Spiced Star Cookies (Speculaas) Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 2 h 35 min
Cuisine: Dutch
Ingredients: 8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, room temperature; 3/4 cup (159g) light brown sugar or dark brown sugar, packed; 1 teaspoon King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract; 1/2 teaspoon cardamom; 1/2 teaspoon cloves; 1/2 teaspoon mace (or substitute 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg); 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon table salt; 1 1/2 cups (180g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour; 1/2 cup (48g) King Arthur Almond Flour, toasted almond flour preferred; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 2 to 4 tablespoons (28g to 57g) milk, not nonfat; 1/2 cup (57g) confectioners’ sugar; 3 to 4 teaspoons milk or water

Ingredients

8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, room temperature

3/4 cup (159g) light brown sugar or dark brown sugar, packed

1 teaspoon King Arthur Pure Vanilla Extract

1/2 teaspoon cardamom

1/2 teaspoon cloves

1/2 teaspoon mace (or substitute 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg)

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon table salt

1 1/2 cups (180g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

1/2 cup (48g) King Arthur Almond Flour, toasted almond flour preferred

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 to 4 tablespoons (28g to 57g) milk, not nonfat

1/2 cup (57g) confectioners’ sugar

3 to 4 teaspoons milk or water (for icing)

Instructions

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, sugar, vanilla, spices (cardamom, cloves, mace or nutmeg, cinnamon), and salt until well combined.

Step 2: Stir in the all-purpose flour, almond flour, and baking powder. Add enough milk (2 to 4 tablespoons) to form a stiff dough.

Step 3: Shape the dough into two disks, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to firm up.

Step 4: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and lightly grease or line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 5: Roll out one dough disk at a time on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8″ to 1/4″ thick. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut shapes and transfer them carefully to the prepared baking sheets.

Step 6: Bake the cookies for 15 to 20 minutes until the edges turn lightly golden. Remove from the oven and cool completely on a rack; the cookies will harden as they cool.

Step 7: To make the icing, mix the confectioners’ sugar with 3 to 4 teaspoons milk or water until thick but drizzle-able.

Step 8: Drizzle the icing decoratively over the cooled cookies and allow it to set before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra almond flavor, use toasted almond flour as indicated, which adds depth and nuttiness to the cookies.

If you don’t have mace, nutmeg is a perfect substitute and maintains the warm spice profile.

These cookies can be formed with traditional star-shaped cutters or any shape you prefer, making them versatile for different occasions.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, refrigerating the dough for at least 2 hours helps it firm up and makes rolling easier. You can also prepare the dough a day ahead and keep it chilled until ready to bake.

What is the best way to roll out the dough?

Roll the dough between 1/8″ and 1/4″ thickness on a lightly floured surface to prevent sticking. If the dough softens too much, chill it briefly before cutting shapes to maintain clean edges.