
I really like Dutch speculaas cookies, They’re a yummy spiced cookie, generally made with floor nuts, however not at all times. Maybe it depends upon the area.
I made a decision to alter them up a little bit and use floor roasted hazelnuts. I really like the toasty nutty flavour of brown butter so i used that too to boost the nutty flavour, which was pretty with the hazelnuts and spices.
They’ve a pleasant snap in case you are searching for a crunchier Christmas cookie. Should you love the concept of brown butter however desire a softer gingerbread then i’ve a recipe that may be for you right here.
They’re easy to make, Nevertheless the brown butter and grounding and toasting the hazelnuts takes a little bit additional time, i really feel its price it.

Getting ready the brown butter
Once you make brown butter the amount reduces so you should begin with extra butter than you really need for the recipe. Totally different manufacturers of butter could have totally different portions of fats, so it may be onerous to present precise measurements. For this recipe i’ve discovered that utilizing 150g of butter makes the 115g of whipped brown butter we’d like.
Lower the butter into small cubes then add it in a pan, and soften it. as soon as melted begin swirling the pan round over the warmth, the butter will begin to color and bubble up. listening to the sound of it could actually assist decide when its finished as it should cease effervescent and go silent when its finished. As soon as the butter has browned you need to transfer quick to take away it from the warmth so it doesn’t proceed browning and begin to burn. Pour it straight into a chilly bowl.
To make use of the butter for the recipe it wants to sit back for a bit so it may be whipped. I chill it for 20 minutes after which combine it to distribute the flecks of brown fats solids after which i chill it once more till it’s the consistency of softened butter, like butter cream. Then its prepared to make use of.
Spices
I prefer to be fairly heavy with the spices when i make cookies like this, however be at liberty to make use of much less or use a spice combine. You should buy prepared blended speculaas spice mixes i’ve seen them on amazon.
White pepper is kind of conventional to these kind of cookies however it may be not noted.
You too can make your individual spice combine so you’ve it prepared to make use of.
Nuts
For this recipe i roasted complete blanched hazelnuts after which floor them in a meals processor till high-quality. Alternatively you should use 65g of floor almonds for those who desire.

Hazelnut brown butter speculaas cookies
Substances
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150g unsalted butter
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45g darkish brown sugar
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45g tender mild brown sugar
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60g caster sugar
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1 massive egg
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65g complete blanched hazelnuts
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185g plain flour
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1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
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1/4 tsp floor cardamon
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2 tsp floor cinnamon
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1 – 1/2 tsp floor ginger
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1/4 tsp floor star anise
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1/4 tsp floor all spice or clove
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1/4 tsp floor nutmeg
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1/8 tsp white pepper
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1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- For this recipe i’ve discovered that utilizing 150g of butter makes the 115g of whipped brown butter we’d like.
Add the butter in a pan, and soften it, whereas swirling the pan round over the warmth the butter will begin to color and bubble up. listening to the sound of it could actually assist decide when its finished as it should cease effervescent when its finished.
instantly pour the brown butter right into a bowl. Chill for 20/half-hour then combine collectively to distribute the brown flecks, then chill for one more 20 minutes. Combine it to test its agency sufficient to whip. you need the brown butter to be firmer like softened butter (like for those who have been making buttercream). - Toast the hazelnuts in a dry pan stirring so that they don’t burn till golden, or toast in an oven for 10-Quarter-hour. allow them to cool then grind in a meals processor so you’ve a high-quality sand like powder.
- Weigh out 115g of the brown butter and whisk with the sugar till pale and fluffy
- Add the egg and blend scraping across the bowl to ensure all of the moist elements are mixed.
- Combine the flour, salt, bicarbonate of soda and floor hazelnuts and spices collectively and blend into the moist elements so they arrive collectively to type a tender dough
- Flatten the ball of dough right into a disk and canopy with plastic wrap and chill for 3 hours or over night time. (the dough is healthier colder in case you are shaping them.
- Preheat the oven to 180c FAN 350f
- Utilizing a picket speculaas mould form the dough. To do that flour the picket mould and press within the dough after which faucet the shapes out. Place on a lined baking tray. Generally i discover rolling a rolling pin over them whereas they’re within the mould helps. i like to sit back these within the freezer if i’m utilizing a mould to assist cease them spreading.
Alternatively roll out dough on a floured floor and reduce shapes out with cookie cutters
Bake cookies for approx 8 minutes relying on their measurement. These cookies can unfold if they don’t seem to be tremendous chilly from the freezer, i usually make them as rounds after which bake them and drizzle over icing.
Notes
- You’ll be able to add the zest of an orange or clementine so as to add a citrus flavour
- you can even change hazelnuts for floor almonds.
