Speculaas
Speculaas has been one of the most authentically Dutch products since the Dutch Golden Age. Speculaas provides warmth and coziness, especially during the dark days of winter. In fact, speculaas and coziness are inextricably linked. And although the speculaas cookies are typically Dutch, you can find similar variations of this flavor far beyond the Dutch borders.
Authentic, but also multifaceted!
In the past, the Netherlands imported various spices from its colonies. This introduced remarkable new smells and flavors. Speculaas is perhaps the most striking result. It consists of cookie dough mixed with the best of these spices, which together are also called speculaas spices. There is no fixed recipe for the spices; every baker had and still has his or her own unique combination of spices, all with the authentic taste of speculaas.
Although the composition and proportions are different for every baker, the following spices are often used: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cardamom and white pepper. Bakeries sometimes add extra ingredients to create their own unique twist. There are variations with anise, coriander seed and/or mace, for example.
The cookie was sometimes made extra luxurious by enriching it with candied peels, almonds and/or orange peels. The fact that so many combinations are possible makes speculaas incredibly unique.
And what about the composition of De Ruiter’s Speculaas? That’s a secret that only our own artisanal bakers know.
Speculaas versus Speculoos
Speculaas and speculoos have very similar names. Nevertheless, they are two completely different products. Speculoos is believed to have originated early in the 20th century in the Belgian region of Verviers. The spices that Dutch manufacturers used for their speculaas were very expensive at the time. The Belgians therefore developed a recipe with other spices. That’s where the name ‘speculoos’ comes from. The ending ‘loos’ (which means: to be without) refers to the fact that the cookies are baked without specific speculaas spices.
An authentic snack to enjoy during the holiday season
Naturally, this authentic cookie is always popular and is eaten throughout the year. However, speculaas is also inextricably linked to the holiday season. The spices of the artisanal cookie provide extra warmth and coziness, especially during the cold winter days. When the weather is cold and the chilly wind blows past the houses, many people eat the sweet crispy cookie as a treat with coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
Recipes with speculaas
it can also be used as an ingredient
Speculaas is obviously enjoyed with tea or coffee, but it also has many other uses. You can use it to make unique recipes. For example, you can use it as an addition to a dessert or as an ingredient in a cake, brownie or even a warm meal. Make a cake base with it or eat it on your sandwich. You can also use De Ruiter’s speculaas paste for this!
As you can see, speculaas offers plenty of possibilities for the tastiest flavor combinations. With speculaas, you can turn every recipe into a party.