This traditional Dutch Spice Mix Recipe(aka speculaaskruiden or speculaas spices) is so easy to make using ingredients that you probably already have in your store cupboard (if you bake regularly). And with a batch of this on hand, you are set to go with a staple spice mix that is used in many popular Dutch sweet baking recipes.
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A few years ago I shared a recipe for Dutch Pepernoten(mini Dutch spiced cookies) and I promised the recipe for the spice mix would follow.
It is only when I went to make a new spice mix-up ready for all the popular Dutch baking recipes that feature during this time of year (pepernoten, speculaas, etc) that I realised I had not shared it with you guys.
Where To Buy Dutch Speculaas Spices
Here in the Netherlands, you can easily buy this blend of spices in the Supermarkets but elsewhere you need to either purchase it at a specialist shop or buy it online.
Dutch Speculaas Spice Mix Recipe
Cuisine: Dutch
Keyword: dutch, spices
Prep Time: 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time: 0 minutesminutes
Servings: 3Small Jars
Calories: 100kcal
Author: Sam Franklin
This is an easy recipe to make a blend of spices that is frequently used in many traditional Dutch baking recipes such as Speculaas, Pepernoten, Kruidnoten to name but a few.
Print Recipe
Equipment
Air Tight Spice Jars
Ingredients
10tbspCinnamon
2tbspNutmeg
2tbspGround Cloves
1tbspGround Ginger
½tbspGround Cardamom
Instructions
Prepare airtight spice jars by cleaning them and adding labels.
In a large bowl simply measure out all the spices and mix.
Divide the spice mix between the spice jars and seal.
Notes
The amounts shown in this recipe make enough spice mix to fill 3 small spice pots.
There are many versions of this recipe here in the Netherlands and many bakeries have there own secret recipies.
This basic recipe can also be adapted to suit your own personal taste.
For example, if you are not so keen on cardamom then just leave it out or you really love ginger then you can simply increase the amount you put in.
*Optional*
Another optional ingredient that you often see is white pepper. I didn’t use this in my mix but if you want to spice it up a bit then you can add half a tablespoon to give it a bit of bite.
Nutrition
Calories: 100kcal
What To Bake With Your Dutch Spice Mix
Now that you have the basic recipe for this why not try making my traditional Dutch Pepernoten Recipe (Mini Spice Cookies)?This recipe is so easy and a lot of fun to make with the kids as their little fingers are perfect for rolling all the little round dough balls.
The kids here in the Netherlands go mad for them and eat them by the bucket load.
This is usually leading up to Sinterklaas (the Dutch Father Christmas) arriving in the country on his steamboat from Spain (this year it falls on the 16th of November) to when he brings them gifts on pakjesavond (present evening) which is on the 5th of December.
Once Sinterklaas has arrived in the land the kids are allowed to put their shoes out by the fireplace every Saturday night until pakjesavond.If they have been good the shoes will be filled with pepernoten and small gifts.
And Honestly, these are so yummy you will totally understand why the Dutch kids go crazy for them.
More Dutch Recipes …
In the Netherlands, another base ingredient that is used in many Dutch recipes is Amandelspjis (Almond Paste). This can be used to make many cookies, cakes, pastries, and dessert recipes. Here is a recipe to make a delicious homemade version
Another Dutch recipe that is great for kids and a total crowd-pleaser for parties and fetes is my Traditional Dutch Poffertjes Recipe. Not only are they easy to make but the topping combination ideas are endless.
And of course, if we are talking about recipes from the Netherlands then we can’t forget the classic Dutch Apple Piewhich is often served in cafes and during birthday celebrations, and the Gevulde Koek (Ductch almond Cookie) which is a real National favourite.
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Speculaas is a cookie that is flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, mace, and cloves. It is a traditional cookie in the Netherlands and Germany. Speculoos or Biscoff is a cookie from Belgium that only contains cinnamon or no other spices at all.
Speculaas is a cookie that is flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, mace, and cloves. It is a traditional cookie in the Netherlands and Germany. Speculoos or Biscoff is a cookie from Belgium that only contains cinnamon or no other spices at all.
Mixed spice is very similar to a Dutch spice mix called koekkruiden or speculaaskruiden, which are used for example to spice food associated with the Dutch Sinterklaas celebration at December 5.
While there's no set recipe, you'll typically find some mixture of black pepper, white pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, anise cloves, ginger, cumin, coriander, cayenne, turmeric, and sumac. It has a well-rounded flavor profile with warm and slightly sweet notes from the nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.
Mixed spice is a British spice blend. Although there is a little flexibility in this spice mixture, it does combine specific ingredients. Mixed spice includes a balance of some or all of the following ground spices: cinnamon, coriander seed, caraway, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice, and mace.
Speculaas (Dutch: speculaas, French: spéculoos, [spekylos], German: Spekulatius) is a type of spiced shortcrust biscuit baked with speculaas spices originated from the County of Flanders territory in present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands.
The main difference lies in their spice content. Speculaas biscuits contain a number of different spices while speculoos biscuits often include only one spice: the cheaper version of real cinnamon: cassia.
Most traditional recipes in Dutch cuisine call for spices (kruiden) that the Dutch East India Company (VOC) began trading during the Golden Age. These include cloves (kruidnagel), cinnamon (kaneel), and nutmeg (nootmuskaat).
It could be argued that the Dutch republic built itself a golden age on the spice trade. At the height of their power, the Dutch had a monopoly on the world's supply of nutmeg and mace as well as control over the vast majority of the the world's access to cloves.
The seven essential spices—turmeric, cumin, coriander, cardamom, mustard seeds, cinnamon, and cloves—will bring any dish to life with unforgettable flavor. Their variety of tastes and health benefits make them staples in any kitchen and cuisine.
If you need a substitute for mixed spice in a recipe and don't want to make your own you can just use Pumpkin Pie Spice instead. Both are made up of similar spices. Make mixed spice in small batches so it stays fresher longer. For ultimate freshness, vacuum seal your spice blend to keep in the flavor.
It was still a little popular in England though, where it came to be known as the English Spice. In the Napoleonic war of 1812, Russian soldiers put the spice in their boots to keep their feet warm. Because of this, today the pimento oil from the allspice is usually used for the men's dress.
One of Britain's favourite spice blends is the warming combination found in Mixed Spice, a traditional mix of warming and sweet spices like cinnamon, cardamom and cloves. Mixed spice forms the essential festive flavours of many of Britain's favourite yuletide desserts like Christmas pudding and Mince pies.
Clove, ginger, turmeric, nutmeg, frankincense, black pepper, cinnamon, saffron and more, all sailed under the flag of the East India Trading Company. As it grew and monopolised the trade, the East India Trading Company gave birth to many of the world's great cities – Bombay, Madras, Calcutta, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Speculoos – also called biscoff – is similar to gingerbread and 'pumpkin spice' flavour. It also goes well with caramel to make sweet recipes that need a hit of warming spices.
Speculaas is an iconic Dutch holiday cookie. It is so delicious, I just have to share it with you here. Even though it is traditionally a 'holiday cookie', it is actually eaten year around (probably because it is so delicious).
Speculoos (Dutch pronunciation: [speːkyˈloːs]; French: spéculoos, German: Karamellgebäck) is a biscuit, originally manufactured in Belgium, made from wheat flour, candy syrup (from beet sugar), fat, and sometimes cinnamon.
This traditional German biscuits are also known as speculaas or speculoos. A funny little name on all accounts ! We used to have packets of rectangular shaped dutch versions, stamped with little folk people as kids - they were very popular in our household.
Introduction: My name is Aron Pacocha, I am a happy, tasty, innocent, proud, talented, courageous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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