Description
Spekulatius Kugeln are traditional festive spiced cookies that blend warm cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom with a tender, crispy texture. Perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy teatime, these cookies are easy to make with pantry staples and can be customized to suit gluten-free, vegan, or nutty preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
- Optional: 1/2 cup almond flour or ground almonds
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (or coconut oil for vegan option)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg (or flax egg for vegan option)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts or walnuts
- Additional spices: star anise or ginger powder, to taste
- Dark chocolate for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and ground spices. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms. Optionally, fold in almond flour or chopped nuts if using.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step firms the dough, making it easier to shape and helping cookies hold their shape during baking.
- Shape the Kugeln: Scoop small portions of dough and roll into smooth balls about 1 inch in diameter. For a slightly flattened shape, gently press each ball.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the cookies feel firm but tender inside.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents sogginess and ensures crispiness.
- Optional Finishing Touch: For a festive variation, dip half of each cooled ball in melted dark chocolate or drizzle with melted white chocolate. Sprinkle powdered sugar if desired before serving.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly to maintain cookie shape and texture.
- Use freshly ground spices for maximum flavor and aroma.
- Roll the kugeln to uniform sizes for even baking.
- Avoid overbaking to keep cookies crisp but not dry.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Freeze baked cookies layered between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container; thaw before serving.
- Reheat cookies at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes to refresh crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Spekulatius Kugeln, spiced cookies, holiday cookies, festive treats, cinnamon nutmeg cloves, gluten-free cookies, vegan cookies, Christmas cookie recipe
