This traditional Dutch Spice Mix Recipe(aka speculaaskruiden or speculaas spices) is so easy to make using ingredients that you probably already have in your store cupboard (if you bake regularly). And with a batch of this on hand, you are set to go with a staple spice mix that is used in many popular Dutch sweet baking recipes.
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A few years ago I shared a recipe for Dutch Pepernoten(mini Dutch spiced cookies) and I promised the recipe for the spice mix would follow.
It is only when I went to make a new spice mix-up ready for all the popular Dutch baking recipes that feature during this time of year (pepernoten, speculaas, etc) that I realised I had not shared it with you guys.
Where To Buy Dutch Speculaas Spices
Here in the Netherlands, you can easily buy this blend of spices in the Supermarkets but elsewhere you need to either purchase it at a specialist shop or buy it online.
This is an easy recipe to make a blend of spices that is frequently used in many traditional Dutch baking recipes such as Speculaas, Pepernoten, Kruidnoten to name but a few.
Prepare airtight spice jars by cleaning them and adding labels.
In a large bowl simply measure out all the spices and mix.
Divide the spice mix between the spice jars and seal.
Notes
The amounts shown in this recipe make enough spice mix to fill 3 small spice pots.
There are many versions of this recipe here in the Netherlands and many bakeries have there own secret recipies.
This basic recipe can also be adapted to suit your own personal taste.
For example, if you are not so keen on cardamom then just leave it out or you really love ginger then you can simply increase the amount you put in.
*Optional*
Another optional ingredient that you often see is white pepper. I didn’t use this in my mix but if you want to spice it up a bit then you can add half a tablespoon to give it a bit of bite.
Nutrition
Calories: 100kcal
What To Bake With Your Dutch Spice Mix
Now that you have the basic recipe for this why not try making my traditional Dutch Pepernoten Recipe (Mini Spice Cookies)?This recipe is so easy and a lot of fun to make with the kids as their little fingers are perfect for rolling all the little round dough balls.
The kids here in the Netherlands go mad for them and eat them by the bucket load.
This is usually leading up to Sinterklaas (the Dutch Father Christmas) arriving in the country on his steamboat from Spain (this year it falls on the 16th of November) to when he brings them gifts on pakjesavond (present evening) which is on the 5th of December.
Once Sinterklaas has arrived in the land the kids are allowed to put their shoes out by the fireplace every Saturday night until pakjesavond.If they have been good the shoes will be filled with pepernoten and small gifts.
And Honestly, these are so yummy you will totally understand why the Dutch kids go crazy for them.
More Dutch Recipes …
In the Netherlands, another base ingredient that is used in many Dutch recipes is Amandelspjis (Almond Paste). This can be used to make many cookies, cakes, pastries, and dessert recipes. Here is a recipe to make a delicious homemade version
Another Dutch recipe that is great for kids and a total crowd-pleaser for parties and fetes is my Traditional Dutch Poffertjes Recipe. Not only are they easy to make but the topping combination ideas are endless.
And of course, if we are talking about recipes from the Netherlands then we can’t forget the classic Dutch Apple Piewhich is often served in cafes and during birthday celebrations, and the Gevulde Koek (Ductch almond Cookie) which is a real National favourite.
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Most used besides pepper are Nutmeg (nootmuskaat), Paprika, Cinnamon (kaneel), Cloves (kruidnagel), Bay leaf (laurier, not actually a spice but used as one), Juniper (jeneverbes, also not a real spice) and more.
What is Mixed Spice? Unlike allspice, mixed spice is a blend of several spices. These include cinnamon, coriander, caraway, nutmeg, ground ginger and cloves. The majority of the mix should be made from the cinnamon and coriander, and the remaining 10% made from the other spices.
A masala can be either a combination of dried (and usually dry-roasted) spices, or a paste (such as vindaloo masala) made from a mixture of spices and other ingredients—often garlic, ginger, onions, chilli paste and tomato.
Speculoos – also called biscoff – is similar to gingerbread and 'pumpkin spice' flavour. It also goes well with caramel to make sweet recipes that need a hit of warming spices.
Together with English, Frisian, German, and Luxembourgish, Dutch is a West Germanic language. It derives from Low Franconian, the speech of the Western Franks, which was restructured through contact with speakers of North Sea Germanic along the coast (Flanders, Holland) about 700 ce.
If you need a substitute for mixed spice in a recipe and don't want to make your own you can just use Pumpkin Pie Spice instead. Both are made up of similar spices. Make mixed spice in small batches so it stays fresher longer.
Did you know saffron is nicknamed “red gold” and “the queen of all spices.” It's also worth its weight in gold, but do you know why? Consider this your go-to guide for all things saffron.
No, these are completely different. Allspice (also known as myrtle pepper) is a single origin spice which is dried and ground from the allspice berry. Mixed Spice is a blend of several different spices. The taste of allspice is intense, rich and fruity.
There are four basic types of seasoning ingredients: • Salt • Pepper ⚫ Sugar and light-flavored sweeteners • Acids When you season a food, you add just enough of one or more of these ingredients to change the food's basic taste, but not enough to add a whole new taste.
Although the Dutch aren't exactly known for their spicy food, they do like to add some flavor to their food using Dutch spices. These Dutch spices are very similar to the spices we know in the rest of the world, but they're often very rich coming from the Netherlands.
“True” or Ceylon cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka, which produces at least 80 per cent of the world's supply. It has a warm, spicy, intensely aromatic scent and flavour. Cassia – aka Dutch cinnamon, baker's cinnamon or bastard cinnamon – is native to China and has an earthier, noticeably less delicate flavour.
One of the main features of Dutch cooking is its warmth and heartiness, and Stamppot is one of the best examples of this. It's a dish of mashed potatoes combined with root vegetables, like turnip, carrot and onion, but it can also include dark, leafy greens like kale or spinach.
The Moluccas consist of more than 1,000 islands, only a few of which produced cloves and nutmeg, while Java and Sumatra were sources of pepper. By the time the Dutch arrived in the late 1500s, the region's spice trade already had a history dating back to ancient times.
Introduction: My name is Kerri Lueilwitz, I am a courageous, gentle, quaint, thankful, outstanding, brave, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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