Traditional Dutch Speculaasbrokken
Speculaasbrokken are chunky, irregular pieces of broken speculaas — the beloved Dutch spice cookie famous for its deep blend of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom. Sold by the bag in every Dutch supermarket, they are a fixture of autumn, Sinterklaas season, and honestly any time a Dutch person makes coffee. Rustic, snappable, and intensely spiced.
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 250g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 150g (¾ cup packed) dark brown sugar
- 125g (½ cup + 1 tbsp) cold butter, cubed
- ½ tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp cold milk
- Speculaaskruiden Spice Mix:
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- Pinch of cardamom
- Pinch of white pepper
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 170°C (340°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 2
Combine flour, brown sugar, spice mix, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
- 3
Rub in the cold butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse, damp crumbs.
- 4
Add cold milk and press the dough together — it should be firm and hold its shape.
- 5
Press the dough roughly onto the parchment-lined baking sheet, about 1 cm (½ inch) thick. Keep it rustic — uneven edges are part of the charm.
- 6
Bake for 22–26 minutes until deep golden brown and the kitchen smells incredible.
- 7
While still warm, break into irregular chunks of varying sizes.
- 8
Cool completely on a wire rack — they firm up and become properly crisp as they cool.
Tips & Notes
Serving Suggestions: • Serve alongside strong Dutch coffee or a pot of tea. • Crumble over vanilla ice cream for a quick Dutch-inspired dessert. Dutch Tip 🇳🇱: The darker and more rustic your speculaasbrokken look, the better — authentic Dutch ones are never pale or delicate. Deep golden-brown colour means maximum caramelised spice flavour.
Added by Michael Duregon on 15 August 2026
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