Speculoos Cookies (aka speculaas or dutch windmill cookies) are a thin, crisp and delicously spiced cookie. Typically made to enjoy before St. Nicholas Day or around Christmastime. This recipe yields 24 to 26 cookies.

These cookies have been on my to-do list for a while now.

For years I’ve heard about Speculoos cookie butter. I wasn’t really that interested in it because I figured it would most likely turn out to be an addiction that I didn’t need. Until one random day, I did an internet search to find out what’s actually in cookie butter. That sent me down a rabbit hole, discovering that it all starts with Speculoos Cookies, a beloved childhood cookie.

When I was a kid, our grocery store (Meijer) used to sell all sorts of things in bulk bins. Bins of chocolate chips, nuts, candy and cookies. There was a particular bin for windmill cookies that my mom always bought and brought home after grocery shopping. Thin golden brown cookies pressed to resemble a windmill. And I believe they had slices of almonds pressed into them as well.

To say I loved those cookies is an understatement. My kid-self couldn’t put a finger on the flavor was (ginger? cinnamon?) all I knew is they were so good!

They still sell them, albeit not in bulk, but in my opnion they aren’t the same. Luckily, now that I can make my own.

These cookies have rich history and a few fun facts, but I’ll spare you the details (that’s what wikipedia is for!) just believe me when I say that these cookies taste like Christmas.

To Make Speculoos Cookies You Will Need:

• flour
• baking soda
• kosher salt
• cinnamon
• nutmeg
• cardamom
• coriander
• ground ginger
• clove
• mace
• white pepper
• unsalted butter
• dark brown sugar
• granulated sugar
• heavy cream

NOTE: I’ve had success with this recipe written as is, however a lot of readers (who struggled getting this dough to form) added 1 egg to the dough with success!

In a medium mixing bowl, measure and add 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1-1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon ground clove, 1/4 teaspoon ground mace and 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper. Whisk to combine and set off to the side.

In the bowl of your stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together 1-1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) softened unsalted butter. Cream until the mixture is light and fluffy.

Next add in 1/2 of the flour/spice mixture and mix until just combined.

Add in 1/3 cup heavy cream and mix until just combined.

Lastly add the remaining half of the flour/spic mixture and mix until combined.

Transfer the Speculoos dough to a piece of plastic wrap.

Shape into a disc and wrap tightly in the plastic wrap and chill for 4 hours or overnight.

After chilling, unwrap the dough and cut in half. Re-wrap one half of the dough and roll out the other to 1/4-inch thickness.

Use a cookie stamp (or a roller with a design can be used) and stamp out 6 cookies. I use a biscuit cutter the same size as the stamp for clean edges.

Reshape the dough scraps and cut out 6 more cookies.

All the while, transferring the cookies to a parchment lined, rimmed metal baking sheet. Slip the pan into the freezer for 30 to 40 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 350°.

Once the cookies have chilled, slip them right onto the middle rack of your preheated oven.

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool slightly before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Perfect with tea, coffee or cocoa. 

Speculoos Cookies are thin, snappy and heavenly spiced. You can serve these as is, turn them into cookie butter or ice cream even!

Perfect for the holiday season.

Enjoy! And if you give this Speculoos Cookie recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

Print

Yield: 26

Speculoos Cookies (Dutch Windmill Cookies)

Speculoos Cookies are a thin, crisp and delicously spiced cookie. Typically made to enjoy before St. Nicholas Day or around Christmastime.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Additional Time 4 hours

Total Time 5 hours

Ingredients

• 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1-1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground clove
• 1/4 teaspoon ground mace
• 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1-1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• *see notes*

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, measure and add the flour, soda, salt and spices. Whisk to combine.
2. Meanwhile, in the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the butter and sugars. Beat on medium to medium-low speed until light and creamy.
3. Add half of the flour/spice mixture with the cream and mix until just combined. Add the remaining flour/spice mixture and mix until no trace of flour remains.
4. Form into a disc and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
5. Before baking, divide the dough in half. Wrap one half in plastic wrap and pop back into your fridge.
6. On a lightly floured surface, roll the other half of the dough 1/4 of an inch thick. Use cookie cutters or stamps to cut cookies out. Reshape scraps and stamp or cut out more cookies until you have 12.
7. Place cookies onto a parchment lined, rimmed baking sheet and pop into the freezer for 30 minutes.
8. Preheat your oven to 350°.
9. Once the cookies have chilled, remove from the freezer and place directly into your oven. Bake on the middle rack for 14 to 18 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.

Notes

*I've had success with this recipe written as is, however a lot of readers (who struggled getting this dough to form) added 1 egg to the dough with success!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

26

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 169Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 110mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 11gProtein: 2g

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.