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250g self-raising flour
150g dark brown sugar
10g gingerbread spices
150g cold butter, cubed
50 ml milk
a pinch of salt
Speculaas is a traditional Dutch cookie that can not be missed on a Sinterklaas party nor on pakjesavond. The party just would not be the same, so we're going to bake speculaas cookies ourselves. It is not difficult and the kids let their creativity run wild so ultimately they will be on-traditional cookies after all.
How to make speculaas letters!
How to make the dough
Place all ingredients in the food processor and mix them until combined.
Knead the dough also by hand for a few minutes.
Roll the dough into a ball and wrap it in cling film.
Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
If you use traditional, wooden speculaas molds you grease them well first. Then you press the dough in and strike the top smooth. Now tap out the dough carefully. It may need a bit of practice to tap a good-looking cookie out of the mold!
How to bake the speculaas characters
Preheat the oven to 175°C
Roll the dough into snakes then shape letters from it.
Place the letters on waxed paper on the baking tray.
Bake them 10 to 15 minutes in the middle of the oven.
The speculaas (gingerbread) initials are ready! From the remaining dough we make little Piet's.
Cut out little men with a cookie cutter.
Roll hats, collars and feathers for the Pieten.
Give Piet a face by making tiny holes with a skewer.
Bake the Piet's 10-15 minutes in the still heated oven.
Let the speculaas cookies cool on a wire rack.
The speculaas looks beautiful! Let's taste....delicious!
Happy December 5th!