Spekulatius Spiced Almond Cookies

Nothing says Christmas quite like the delightful aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through the house. Today, I’m sharing with you a classic German Christmas baking recipe that is sure to fill your home with warmth and cheer. Spekulatius Spiced Almond Cookies are a festive treat packed with cozy flavors like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. These irresistible cookies are perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea or giving as gifts to friends and family during the holiday season. Let’s dive into the recipe and make your home feel extra merry this Christmas!

Ingredients:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup ground almonds
– 1 tsp baking powder
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1/2 tsp ground cloves
– 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 3/4 cup brown sugar
– 1 large egg
– 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:
1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, ground almonds, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg until well combined. Set aside.

2. In a separate bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until smooth and well incorporated.

4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a smooth cookie dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a little more flour until it reaches a workable consistency.

5. Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap the disks in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.

6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of cookie dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly apart.

8. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep a close eye on them as they can burn quickly.

9. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Once the cookies are completely cooled, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They also freeze well if you want to save some for later or make them in advance for the holidays.

Enjoy these Spekulatius Spiced Almond Cookies with a steaming cup of tea or share them with loved ones for a taste of traditional German Christmas baking. The warm spices and crunchy almond topping will surely make them a favorite treat during the festive season. Happy baking and have a cozy holiday season!