This is one of those things that my mother had to hide from me at Christmas … Speculaas and ‘Mandarin’ oranges. Speculaas is basically shortbread, spiced the Dutch way. And oh how deliciously spiced it is!
Once I realized that wheat was a major no-no for me, I suffered through several years of no Speculaas. Eventually I had a little hissy fit, stomped into my kitchen, and created my own version. I’m so happy to share this version of a recipe that personifies Christmas to me.
Speculaas Ingredients:
Please do your best to use all organic ingredients- your body will thank you.
1 cup Almond flour (finely ground almonds)
1 cup Coconut flour
½ tsp ground Cloves
1 tsp ground Allspice
2 tsp ground Cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup butter or coconut oil
1 c coconut sugar
1 egg
Mix all dry ingredients together. Using the S-blade in food processor cream butter, sugar and egg until it is light and smooth. Add wet ingredients to dry, mix well then press onto a well oiled cookie sheet. The dough should be at least .6 cm thick, but not more than .8 cm. I just use my hands (with coconut oiled fingers) to do this. Put the grooves in the dough with a fork. I dip the fork in cold water then run the tines all the way along one edge. Dip and repeat until the whole surface is covered with parallel grooves. I then place almonds in a grid.
Speculaas ready for the oven.
Now the cookies are ready to slide into a 350° F oven. Bake for 20 minutes or until browned.
When you the sheet out of the oven, let it ‘rest’ for about 5 minutes then use a sharp knife to cut the dough into squares or rectangles. Let the cookies cool for another 5 or 10 minutes before shifting to a cooling rack.
These cookies last well in a cookie tin only if you hide them. Me – I have to hide them from myself so that I don’t finish them off before the company ever gets here.
Small Print Notes:
What makes these treats a little healthier?
- Low glycemic coconut sugar & high fiber coconut flour
- Low carbs, high quality fats that your body can use
- Vitamin Bs, Vitamin E. magnesium (every cell in your body loves magnesium)
Find the 12 Days of Christmas Day 2 Recipe here
Find the 12 Days of Christmas Day 1 Recipe here
For more recipes just like this one, you might like my gluten and dairy free cookbooks: Celebrations (holiday recipes), Recipes for Loving The Body You’re In and Savoury ‘n’ Sweet: Treats for Every Occasion