Spekulatius Cookies

Difficult to say but yummy to eat, these cookies are also known as German Spice cookies.  They are similar to the Dutch Speculaas cookies (Dutch windmill cookies) and the Belgian Speculoos.

When I was a kid my mom used to bake loads of cookies every Christmas, her Spekulatius cookies were one of my favorite, I got the recipe from her so now I don't have to wait for Christmas to eat them .  Here is her recipe.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter                                            1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup light brown sugar                          1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup ground almonds                           1/4 tsp. ground cardamon
1 large egg                                                1/4 tsp. ground cloves
3 cups flour                                                1/4 tsp. ground mace*
3 tbsp. milk                                                1/2 cup sliced or slivered almonds (optional)

*If you can't find mace you can substitute it with nutmeg.

Equipment:

Measuring cups and spoons
Mixing bowls and mixer
Rolling pin
Cookie cutters
Parchment paper
Cookie sheets

Yield: Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

Take the butter out of the refrigerator ahead of time to warm up to room temperature.  With a mixer (or by hand) cream together three quarter cups of butter and one cup of light brown sugar until it is light and fluffy.

Add one egg,
one cup of ground almonds,
a quarter teaspoon salt,
and three tablespoons of milk
mix well.

Toss in the ground spices and gradually add three cups of flour forming a stiff dough.

At this point you may need to knead the dough to work in all of the flour (if it is too dry you can add a bit more milk).  Form the dough into a smooth ball, wrap in plastic wrap and store in the fridge overnight (or if you are in a hurry, a minimum of one hour).

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 
Cover your cookie sheets in parchment paper. 
Sprinkle flour over your work surface,rolling pin, and cookie cutters.

Cut a portion of your dough ball and roll it out flat with your rolling pin. 
Make sure it is an even thickness. 
Cut out cookie shapes with your cookie cutter.
Repeat with the rest of the dough.

Place your cookies on the baking sheet, if you would like you can press some sliced almonds onto the cookies. 
Place in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.
Let cool on a cookie cooling rack.
Eat and share.