Speculoos and White Chocolate Cookies

Recipe Overview 🍽️

History of the Recipe ✍️

Speculoos are traditional Belgian cookies often associated with Saint Nicholas festivities. Their distinctive flavor comes from spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Speculoos and White Chocolate Cookies create a modern fusion that pays homage to this classic while offering a new taste experience.

Ingredients 🛒

listed in the order of use in the procedure:

• 125 g softened butter
• 100 g brown sugar
• 50 g white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 180 g all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon speculoos spice powder (or speculoos spice mix)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 100 g white chocolate, chopped or in chips

Steps (How to Make ) 🥣

1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with brown sugar and white sugar until creamy and light.
3. Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the egg and vanilla extract, then mix until well combined.
4. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, combine the flour, speculoos spice powder, baking soda, and salt. Add this mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until the dough is smooth.
5. Add White Chocolate: Stir the white chocolate pieces into the dough.
6. Shape the Cookies: Using a tablespoon, drop dough balls onto the baking sheet, spacing them about 5 cm apart.
7. Bake: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The cookies should be slightly golden on the edges while remaining soft in the center.
8. Cooling: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Chef Tips 👨‍🍳

• For an even more pronounced flavor, use crushed speculoos pieces in addition to the white chocolate.
• You can also sprinkle a pinch of fleur de sel on top of the cookies before baking for a contrast of flavors.
• Be careful not to overbake the cookies to keep them soft inside.

Possible Variations 🎭

• Dark Chocolate Cookies: Replace the white chocolate with dark chocolate for a more intense version.
• Vegan Version: Use margarine instead of butter and an egg substitute for a vegan option.
• Nut Addition: Add walnuts or hazelnuts for a bit of crunch.

Bake Time 🔥

Baking takes about 10 to 12 minutes at 180°C (350°F). The Speculoos and White Chocolate Cookies should be lightly golden around the edges but remain soft in the center for the perfect result.

How to Store 🥡

Food and Drink Pairings 🥂

These cookies pair perfectly with coffee, black tea, or hot chocolate.

They can also be enjoyed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an even more indulgent experience.

Presentation Suggestion 🍽️

Arrange the cookies on a plate, stacking them slightly. You can sprinkle some speculoos spices on top for a decorative touch..

Why It’s Healthy 💚

While these cookies are indulgent, the spices used in speculoos, such as cinnamon and ginger, have antioxidant properties and can offer health benefits.