Seasonal culinary inspiration: Speculaas

December 5 is one of the most precious days in the Netherlands, the day when Dutch children receive gifts from Sinterklaas (Saint Nicholas), dressed in red and with a white beard, who arrives from Spain in mid-November with his ship laden with presents, to be distributed on his birthday. The celebration is associated with traditional sweets and cookies such as chocolate letters, pepernoten (spicy morsels) and speculaas.

The name “speculaas” is derived from the Latin word “speculum”, meaning “mirror”. This may seem confusing at first, as there is no obvious connection between a mirror and a spiced cookie. However, the explanation lies in the original form and function of the cookie. In the Middle Ages, speculaas were made in the form of a flat, round cookie with a mirror-like surface, often decorated with intricate patterns and designs. The cookie was supposed to be a reflection of the baker’s skill and artistry, just as a mirror reflects an image.

The first spiced cookies appeared in Europe when exotic spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and pepper became accessible via trade routes. These spices were rare and expensive, so these cookies were often reserved for special occasions.

As spices became less expensive, speculaas spread across all social classes. Regional variations developed: Dutch cookies were generally spicier, while Belgian speculoos evolved towards a slightly sweeter, more caramelized flavor.

See recipe: https: //lacuisinedebernard.com/les-speculoos-moules-saint-nicolas/