Delicious Saint Nicholas Spice Cookies

Delicious Saint Nicholas Spice Cookies

As the holiday season approaches and the aroma of freshly baked goods fills the air, it’s the perfect time to break away from traditional sweets. Known as Saint Nicholas spice cookies or speculoos, these treats are a beloved festive staple in the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Germany. If you’re uncertain about trying something new without a taste test, consider making Spectacular Speculoos first. These cookies are thin, crunchy, and nutty, offering a flavor profile that’s reminiscent of gingerbread but with a distinctive spiced twist. The wonderfully aromatic dough is firmer and can be shaped into virtually any fun holiday design you wish.

Required Ingredients:

1 cup of butter

¾ cup of brown sugar (softened if necessary)

2 cups of all-purpose flour

1 ½ tsp of baking powder

2 tsp of ground cinnamon

1-2 oz of finely chopped almonds (optional)

1/2 tsp of ground cloves

¼ tsp of ground ginger

1 tsp of salt

1 tsp of ground nutmeg

2 tbsp of milk

Parchment paper for baking

Method:

To begin, preheat your oven to 350°F. Cream together the butter and sugar until the mixture is fluffy and well combined, then mix in the milk.

Gradually sift in the dry ingredients along with the nuts, ensuring everything is mixed properly. Don’t be alarmed if the dough is somewhat crumbly; that’s the intended texture. If it becomes overly dry, just incorporate a bit more milk. Form the dough into a ball, flatten it, and refrigerate it in a covered container for an hour. This is a great time to explore more about International Christmas cookies while you wait!

Once the dough has chilled, take it out and place it on a floured surface. Cover it with parchment paper, or alternatively, use a floured rolling pin to roll it out thinly.

This is where your creativity can shine! Use cookie cutters to craft a variety of festive shapes, or simply draw a shape on paper, place it over the dough, and cut around it. You don’t need to buy special cookie shapes. My family enjoys making star shapes, lightly dusted with powdered sugar once baked. Santa-shaped cookies with frosted beards are another fun option; the firmer dough is perfect for creating intricate designs with just a toothpick.

After cutting the cookies into your desired shapes and ensuring they’re of uniform thickness, arrange them on baking sheets lined with parchment paper and bake until golden brown, approximately 13-15 minutes. Once cooled, you can add any final touches like icing or a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Now that the children are tucked away in bed, what better way to enjoy your evening than with a plate of Saint Nicholas Cookies and a refreshing glass of sparkling red wine? I assure you, this festive treat will gain the approval of Santa himself.