In the Netherlands, June 14th will be fathersday this year. Obviously I would like to state that me and my toddler are daddy’s favorites. However, these cookies also go down well. They are a dutch classic: speculaasjes. The dough should be made beforehand, so the spice mix can flavor the entire dough. I recommend making the dough 2 days before fathersday, then making the cookies with your toddlers 1 day before fathersday.
I have this recipe from a dutch classic cooking book aptly named; “Het nieuwe kookboek“. This is a great book for beginners, let’s call it the “silver spoon” of the Netherlands. My toddler and I tested this recipe for valentine’s day and it was a huge hit!
Getting your hands on some real speculaas might be difficult for you, I do promiss you that this festive spice mix will put a smile on your face, it is like cinnamon for grown-ups (although your kids will love it too). For the UK, check out this site, or make your own blend.
Father’s favorite cookies (40 to 50 cookies)
- 110 grams butter
- 90 grams of light brown sugar
- 1 pinch of salt
- 2 tsp of speculaas spice blend
- 1 tbsp of beaten egg
- 100 grams selfraising flower
- Almonds, sugar pieces or sugar decoration
Mix all the ingredients and combine into a ball of dough. Wrap the dough in cling film. Let it rest in the fridge for 1 to 4 days. This will allow for the spices to flavor your dough.
Take the dough out of your fridge 1 hour before rolling it out.
Preheat your oven to 170 degrees C.
Roll out the dough to a thickness of 5 mm. Use flower to prevent your dough from sticking. Cut out any shape you like. Place your cookies on a baking sheet lined with grease proof paper. Sprinkle your decorations, sugar and/or almonds on the cookies and lightly press them in.
Bake your cookies for 20 minutes, take them out to cool on the sheet.
Once cooled, the cookies keep for about a week in an air tight container. My son even decorated his own container for daddy.
