Speculoos
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This recipe for Belgian Speculoos is from the special speculoos shop, Dandoy Biscuiterie, located across from St. Nicolas Church on rue du Buerre or Boterstraat, in Brussels.
Speculoos, which belongs to the family of gingerbreads, is made from cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, cloves, butter and other spices. Its name comes from the Latin word of speculum it symbolizes a character's reflection in a mirror. Traditionally in Belgium, well-0behaved children receive speculoos during St Nicolas celebration.
—Dandoy Biscuiterie
It works very well to use a pastry brush to paint the mold cavity with vegetable oil. Then I liberally coat it with flour and bang the mold to knock the flour out before putting the dough into the mold. Flour again and bang before molding each cookie.
Ingredients
- 3 cups dark brown sugar
- 1 cup + 5 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 pinch cloves
- 3.38 oz (1/3 cup) water
- 4-5 cups flour
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 pinch salt
Directions
- Beat together brown sugar, butter, and spices; add water, mix until well blended.
- Combine 4 cups flour, baking soda, and salt; blend into mixture to make a thick dough. If too soft, add more flour, or chill 1/2 to 1 hour.
- Oil and flour the mold, as above, press dough in with your hand. Trim with a thin wire or knife (an extra large cheese slicer works well). Bang the mold on the cookie sheet and the dough will drop out.
- Bake at 350 - 375° for about 10 minutes (depending on thickness of cookies).
From Dandoy Biscuiterie since 1829, Brussels, Belgium.
From Dandoy booklet from Daydoy Biscuiterie, Brussels.
Click to read the whole booklet.