Speculaas

 ( Almond Cookies ) 

Speculaas (; ; ) is a type of spiced shortcrust biscuit originated in the Low Countries (Belgium and the Netherlands)

and baked with speculaas spices, which is a mix of 80% cinnamon, and 20% other spices: nutmeg, clove, ginger, cardamom and pepper, the exact proportions were often a signature and secret of the bakery who made them. They are usually flat, crisp and moulded to carry certain traditional images. Historically it was popular to eat speculaas around the feast of Saint Nicholas (Dutch: Sinterklaas). The oldest sources on speculaas also mention weddings and fairs. However, in the Low Countries it has become normal to eat speculaas all year round, especially with coffee or tea, or with ice cream. Although speculaas stuffed with almond paste (Dutch: gevulde speculaas) and the thicker speculaas chunks (Dutch: speculaasbrokken) remain a specialty of the holiday season.

Apart from Belgium and the Netherlands, it is also well known in adjacent areas in Luxembourg, northern France, and in the west of Germany (Westphalia and the Rhineland).

It gained popularity in the former Yugoslavia countries, where it is manufactured by the Croatia food company Koestlin. The cookie can also be found in Indonesia and is usually served there at Christmas or on other special occasions.

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Etymology The Dutch name "speculaas" evolved from the older form speculatie (speculation), used to mean "desire" or "pleasure". Originally, speculatie described fine baked goods, appealing to sophisticated tastes. Over time, this term developed dialectal variations like speculacie and speculasie, in which later the ie-suffix was erroneously interpreted as diminutives —eventually resulting in the non-diminutive form we know today as "speculaas".

In Belgium, a variant called speculoos arose, especially in French-speaking regions. Speculoos, thought to derive from a Brabantian Dutch pronunciation, omits the traditional spices in favour of caramelized sugar for flavour. It became internationally popular, especially with the introduction of speculoos cookie butter.

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History Speculaas roots go back to the klaaskoek or "Saint Nicholas cake", a festive treat linked to Saint Nicholas Day on December 6. These early klaaskoeken were among the precursors to what we now recognize as speculaas. Speculaas likely originated in the Low Countries during the Middle Ages, when exotic spices arrived via expanding trade routes. Once a luxury treat, it became associated with Saint Nicholas festivities, often featuring figures of the saint or festive symbols. As the Dutch spice trade grew in the 17th century, speculaas became more accessible.

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