Description
These traditional Dutch Windmill Cookies (Speculaas) are crisp, buttery, and warmly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and mace. Perfect for holiday baking or enjoying year-round, these cookies are shaped using classic wooden molds or cookie stamps for beautiful designs. Their rich flavor pairs wonderfully with coffee, tea, or hot cocoa.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ground mace
- ½ cup sliced almonds (optional)
- 1 large egg (optional, for better dough consistency)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and mace.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until just combined. If the dough feels dry, add the egg.
- Fold in Almonds (Optional): Gently mix in sliced almonds for added texture.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Prepare the Molds: Lightly oil and flour cookie molds or stamps to prevent sticking.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness. Press into molds or use cookie cutters.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 15–20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on a rack before serving.
Notes
- For a stronger spice flavor, increase cinnamon to 3 teaspoons.
- If using cookie molds, always flour or oil them to prevent sticking.
- Dough can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before baking.
- Try dipping half the cookie in dark chocolate for a decadent twist!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Dutch
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Windmill cookies, Dutch Speculaas, spiced cookies, holiday cookies, cinnamon cookies, traditional Dutch cookies, almond cookies, crispy cookies, homemade cookies, festive cookies