Speculaas spices are an absolute must-have in your kitchen, especially, if you are Dutch, from mid-November to December 5th. Speculaas spice mix is used in speculaas and pepernoten and is amazing in other recipes such as cake, cookies and stews!
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One of the oldest recipes for speculaas spices that I have been able to find was in a cookbook called 'de Schrandere Stichtse Keuken-meid'. This book, written in 1754, was such a success that it was still published fifty years later under the name of 'De Nieuwe, Welervarene Utrechtsche Keuken-meid'.
The most interesting thing about the older recipes is that at that time pepper was added to the mixture. Most modern recipes are without this ingredient. They used an old pepper variety called cubeb or tailed pepper in this cookbook. This pepper has a more floral taste than regular black pepper but can be hard to find.
There are also a few ingredients missing that we now almost always use such as mace, cloves and ginger. My recipe is a mix between the old recipe from 1745 and the modern one.
When you've combined the ingredients, store your speculaas spice mix in an airtight container. For example, small glass jars or put the mix, in empty, clean old spice jars. This way your speculaas spices will keep for months.
Can I use this spice mix to make speculoos?
No. Speculaas and speculoos are not the same thing. Speculoos is a cookie that is flavoured 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 spices at all.
I can't wait until it is November and all the shops and bakeries are filled with the scent of speculaas! What is your favourite time of the year?
Speculaas spice mix
My recipe for the perfect speculaas spices. I use it to make speculaas cookies but it is also delicious in other baking recipes or stews.
Ingredients
- 8 tbsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp nutmeg
- 1,5 tbsp cloves
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 2 tsp cardamom
- 2 tsp aniseed
- 1 tsp mace
- 1 tsp black pepper or cubeb/tailed pepper
Instructions
- Put all the spices in a bowl and mix them well.
- Store the speculaas spices in an airtight jar.
Notes
You can also add a little dries orange peel to this mix.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 91Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 47mgCarbohydrates: 22gNet Carbohydrates: 0gFiber: 12gSugar: 1gSugar Alcohols: 0gProtein: 2g
Did you make something from this blog? I would love to see your creations! Leave a comment below and share your pictures on Instagram #nutmegandvinegar or tag me @nutmegvinegar in your message.
Alexandra
I love homemade spice mixes! This sounds like a delicious blend, ideal for this time of year. I look forward to trying.
Dannii
What a delicious spice mix. It definitely reminds me of Christmas.
Danielle Wolter
I have never heard of this spice mix before, but after reading about it will definitely be giving it a shot. The flavors sound incredible, perfect for the holidays!
Corina Blum
I've been thinking of getting some speculaas spice mix for some Christmas baking soon so this recipe is exactly what I needed!
Ellen
I love making homemade spices. This will be a wonderful hostess gift this holiday season.
Veena Azmanov
All these spices are full of flavors. Always enhance the flavors of every dish when used. I love such spices for my cakes and cookies or pies too.
Katherine
I adore speculaas. Thanks so much for the recipe. Perfect for an edible Xmas gift.
Heidy L. McCallum
This spice mix sounds incredible, and I bet I would enjoy using it. I also think this would make an excellent gift for the holidays too. I have so many friends that enjoy cooking.
Have a wonderful day
Heidy
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
This heady spice mix sounds like it would be a perfect twist for my traditional Christmas sugar cookies!