Spekulatius: Spiced biscuits.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup almond meal
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Spekulatius, or spiced biscuits, are a traditional German treat enjoyed primarily during the Christmas season. These cookies are characterized by their crisp texture and fragrant spice blend that includes cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and nutmeg. They're often imprinted with festive shapes and designs using special rolling pins or molds. The biscuit dough is easy to make, requiring you to cream butter with sugar, then adding eggs and flour, followed by the signature spice mix. After chilling, the dough is rolled out, cut into shapes, and baked until golden brown. Spekulatius are perfect for holiday gifting or serving alongside a warm cup of mulled wine or hot chocolate.
Introduction:
Welcome to a delightful baking journey with Claire Saffitz, where we delve into the world of holiday treats with her cherished Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies! These cookies are a perfect amalgamation of warm spices and the rich depth of molasses, offering a softer and spicier twist to the beloved ginger snap. They're a photo-ready addition to any holiday spread, requiring no elaborate decoration, yet shining with an amber glow and a crackled sugar crust. Ready to bake magic? Let's get started with Claire's go-to cookie recipe!
Ingredients:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking soda (not powder)
- 2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger, freshly opened for pungency
- 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, finely ground
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/3 cups dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup regular molasses (not blackstrap)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- Raw or demerara sugar, for rolling
Equipment:
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Whisk
- Mixing bowls
- Cookie scoop or scale
- Baking sheets
- Cooling rack
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
Total Time: ~30 minutes (plus cooling)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground allspice, ground black pepper, and ground cloves. Make sure that the blend is well incorporated, which will ensure an even distribution of spices in each bite.
3. In your stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), combine the melted unsalted butter and dark brown sugar on medium speed until well mixed. This should take about a minute.
4. To the butter and sugar mixture, add the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is thoroughly combined. Following the eggs, mix in the molasses, vanilla extract, and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until no flour streaks remain. Be careful not to over-mix.
6. Scoop out rounds of the cookie dough (about a tablespoon each) and roll them into balls. Then, roll each ball in the raw or demerara sugar until coated on all sides.
7. Place sugar-rolled dough balls onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies have spread and exhibit their signature crackled texture. They should be set around the edges but still soft in the center.
9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely. The cookies will further set as they cool.
10. Serve these Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies with a warm beverage, or store them in an airtight container at room temperature to enjoy any time.
Cooking Tips:
- Spices lose their potency over time; for the best flavor, make sure your spices are fresh.
- Scooping your dough with a tablespoon or a cookie scoop will ensure uniform size and baking.
Servings: Makes about 36 cookies
This recipe is brought to you by the exceptionally talented Claire Saffitz from the Dessert Person YouTube channel. To see the full demonstration, visit her channel [here](https://www.youtube.com/@CSaffitz).
#holiday #cookies #chewy #spice
YouTube channel - Claire Saffitz x Dessert Person: https://www.youtube.com/@CSaffitz
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