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 traditional recipes in Dutch cuisine call for spices (kruiden) that the Dutch East India Company (VOC) began trading during the Golden Age. These include cloves (kruidnagel), cinnamon (kaneel), and nutmeg (nootmuskaat).
Most traditional recipes in Dutch cuisine call for spices (kruiden) that the Dutch East India Company (VOC) began trading during the Golden Age. These include cloves (kruidnagel), cinnamon (kaneel), and nutmeg (nootmuskaat).
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.
Our mixed spice powder is an expertly blended combination of cinnamon, coriander, caraway, nutmeg and cloves. Combing these spices produces a beautifully balanced seasoning – the earthy ground coriander and spicy cloves contrast the sweet notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.
While there's no set recipe, you'll typically find some mixture of black pepper, white pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, anise cloves, ginger, cumin, coriander, cayenne, turmeric, and sumac. It has a well-rounded flavor profile with warm and slightly sweet notes from the nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.
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.
You can grind your own spices using an electric spice grinder, blender, food processor or coffee grinder. There are also several manual methods for grinding spices by hand. These methods include using a mortar and pestle, rasp grater and even a rolling pin.
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 some spices where its price tag is rather steep than others, which include saffron, green cardamom, cinnamon and vanilla. Saffron: Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world.
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.
Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme have earthy, woody aromas, while spices like cinnamon and cardamom offer sweet and warm scents. These fragrances make food more appealing even before you take the first bite. Balancing Flavors: Herbs and spices help balance and enhance other flavors in a dish.
We surveyed professional chefs to find out their single favorite spice. Some said their favorites were basic staples like black peppercorn, ginger, and nutmeg. Others named spices with more regional specificity, like sumac, Calabrian chili, or Perilla seeds.
The Dutch East India Company (VOC) was formed in 1602 by the Staten-Generaal (States General) of the then Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. The company was granted a 21-year charter with rights to trade exclusively in Asia and to buy valuable spices, such as nutmeg, mace, and cloves.
The Dutch established a monopoly on the spice trade from the Moluccas . They gained control over the clove trade through an alliance with the sultan of Ternate in the Moluccas in 1607. Dutch occupation of the Bandas from 1609 to 1623 gave them control of the nutmeg trade.
European powers were vying for control of the spice trade, and the valuable spice at the center of it all was nutmeg. The Europeans valued nutmeg for more than its distinct taste. Nutmeg was considered an aphrodisiac and hallucinogen.
Introduction: My name is Clemencia Bogisich Ret, I am a super, outstanding, graceful, friendly, vast, comfortable, agreeable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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