Perfectly spiced cookies with a nice dollop of icing on top.

speculoos cookiesEverything looks (and let’s admit it…tastes) better with sprinkles.

They hide so many of life’s imperfections (or at least, make them irrelevant).

Like my living floor, for instance. Where once there was dust, now there are little rainbow candied dots. Yum.

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I’d like to say it was an accidentally-on-purpose situation or some kind of new feng shui we’re trying out, but actually I am just incapable of cleaning anything up without making even more of a mess.

And sprinkles are like glitter in that they get everywhere all the time, no matter how much you try to contain them.

They just will not be held down.

It was worth it, though, because just a light dusting turned my vaguely contorted speculoos cookies into something you might care to decorate your life with.

Sigh. Sprinkles = smiles.

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In addition to being a 10/10 in the CUTE department, these also happen to be the best spice cookies I’ve ever had. And while Iย could have waited until Christmas to tell you about them (when they’d be more seasonally appropriate), I got assigned to Ruthy of Omeletta for this month’s The Leftovers Clubย and when I found out she was moving this past week, I thought she could use a little cookie comfort to get her through.

Check out what everyone else made for this month’s event! And if you’re interested in taking part next month, be sure to head on over to The Leftovers Club facebook page to check it out and sign up!

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Speculoos Cookies {the leftovers club}
 
Perfectly spiced cookies with a nice dollop of icing on top.
Yield: 90 cookies
Ingredients
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • ¾ tsp ginger
  • ½ tsp fine sea salt
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ⅛ tsp cloves
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp molasses
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg white
  • sanding or other decorative sugar
  • 2 cups confectioner's sugar
  • 2-3 tbsp cold water
  • sprinkles, dragees, or colored sanding sugar for decoration
Instructions
  1. Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, salt, nutmeg, and cloves in a large bowl. Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add in the brown sugar, sugar, and molasses. Beat until creamy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the side of the bowl, as needed. Add in the egg and vanilla extract. Stir together for 2 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
  3. Divide the dough into thirds. Roll each piece of dough into an 8-inch log. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or saran wrap and freeze for at least 3 hours.
  4. Arrange racks on the top and bottom thirds of the oven. Heat to 375. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  5. Whisk the egg white in a small bowl just to loosen it up. Remove one of the dough logs from the freezer and brush with the egg white. Roll in sanding sugar. Slice off a sliver of dough from each end to make ends flat. Cut the log into ¼-inch thick rounds and set on the parchment-lined sheets, leaving ½-inch between them. Repeat with remaining dough.
  6. Bake, 2 sheets of cookies at a time, for 11-13 minutes, rotating once halfway through. Cook until cookies are golden brown and almost firm in the center. Let cool on a wire rack.
  7. Once cookies are cool, whisk together the confectioner's sugar and cold water, as necessary until icing is desired consistency. Pipe or spoon onto the tops of the cookies in ½-tsp increments. Sprinkle with decorative sugars and/or sprinkles.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 2 cookies

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60 Responses to Speculoos Cookies {the leftovers club}

  1. Mary says:

    Scrumptious and with 4 daughters (all of whom LOVE sprinkles) these cookies are sure to be a hit!!
    mary x

  2. Joanne,
    I would give anything to have just one of these with my coffee this morning. They look ideal for dunking and the icing on top would make it the perfect way to start the new day! What a fun and happy looking cookie!!

  3. Totally cute, Joanne. My new kitchen is totally not made for messy cooks such as myself… wooden floors, WHAT? With holes, WHAT? Sprinkles for all into eternity!

  4. I want some of these cookies with my coffee right- noooooooow! Love those star sprinkles!

  5. How lucky is Ruthy? These sound super delicious! And the sprinkles definitely made it look pretty:-)

  6. Yusssss! This sounds awesome friend!!

  7. Oh wow – i can almost smell these cookies!!! Love all the spices in them!

  8. cquek says:

    OMG! Looks incredible!

  9. bellini says:

    Life is better with sprinkles.

  10. Pff who cares about when they’re seasonally appropriate? They looks delicious and I’ll eat them all year round ๐Ÿ™‚

  11. gloria says:

    omy are amazing Joanne, alwsys I think.I.will make some cookies but always forget! Love these and yesterday I was looking speculoos recipes I have to something.Love yours cookies!!

  12. I agree with everyone else – this would be perfect with my coffee right now.

  13. Sprinkles never fail to make me smile. Sometimes I put them on an ordinary bowl of ice cream just because it makes it feel like a little party!

  14. If I make these, I think I may become obsessed with them! Love speculoos flavor! On our honeymoon in Belgium this summer, we had so many delicious speculoos treats. I neeeeed to try these! ๐Ÿ™‚

  15. Tandy says:

    Stunning spice combination Joanne ๐Ÿ™‚

  16. These would be a perfect breakfast…snack…dinner…lunch…and sprinkles do = smiles!

  17. Oh my gosh I am a Speculoos addict! Yummmmmm! I MUST try these!

  18. Abby says:

    there’s always time for a spice cookie, especially one as cute as that!

  19. Ooooh how I love speculoos! These cookies look fantastic and I can support sprinkles on the floor ๐Ÿ˜€

  20. Erica says:

    I love these, they are one of my favorites. I used to make them as a kid…you’ve inspired me to do it again…soon!

  21. Amy says:

    Haha. Yes, sprinkles do make life better. Or at least Haley thinks so. I will have to remember that!

  22. These cookies are actually making me start to think about fall…i made speculoos snowflake cookies last year and I agree, i think the spice flavor is the best ever. Your site looks so clean and fresh and I love the color scheme!

  23. Mary says:

    Love the way your site looks and your cookies sound amazing. I do have a bone to pick with you, however, Are we going to have to fill in required info everytime we post? Have a great day. Blessings…Mary

  24. spice cookies with sprinkles! how fun ๐Ÿ™‚

  25. Hehehe, i can only imagine what a pain it would be to pick up those teeny sprinkles on the floor. I’d leave ’em. These cookies look so yummy!! I’m totally adding this to my christmas cookie list ๐Ÿ™‚

  26. […] Speculoos Cookies – Eats Well With Others […]

  27. sandra says:

    funny – I made spicy holiday cookies too. yours looks very cheerful.

  28. These cookies are adorable! Love the icing and sprinkles! Sprinkles definitely get everywhere, but I don’t think they’re quite as bad as glitter. I’m rather glitter makeup obsessed and don’t walk out the door without translucent glitter powder. It is everywhere. In the bathroom it’s on the walls, the mirror, the floor, the light fixtures. Pretty, hilarious, and scary all at once!

  29. Kate says:

    I am guilty of not using sprinkles enough!

  30. cassie says:

    Ahh, I love these! So fun, especially with those sprinkles on top!

  31. Pam says:

    I love spice cookies. You are right, everything is better with sprinkles!

  32. Tahnycooks says:

    These cookies are going on my “have to make soon” list! I have to hide my sprinkles on the very top shelf out of reach for my 3 year old. He tries to drink them!!

  33. Beth says:

    Spice cookies are great any time of the year!

  34. Geni says:

    Love the “new” look of your blog Joanne. I haven’t been around the blogosphere for a bit so it’s new to me. Really refreshing. These cookies look like that would cheer anyone up. They are so yummy and fun.

  35. Eileen says:

    Yay cookies! I always think of speculoos as holiday cookies, but hey, Labor Day is coming up eventually, right? ๐Ÿ™‚

  36. Ashley says:

    Sprinkles make everything more fun! These are adorable little cookies, and if they’re the best you’ve ever had, they must be pretty darn tasty!

  37. You are absolutely right – everything is better with sprinkles (and Speculoos!) These look scrumptious!

  38. Monica says:

    You’re so right about sprinkles. Same with powdered sugar. It’s like wearing a scarf. : ) These cookies sound great. I’ve yet to make Speculoos. Want to try by Christmas!

  39. Shannon says:

    i almost made these for christmas last year! we’ll have to see what makes the cut this year ๐Ÿ™‚

  40. Sprinkles definitely equal smiles! I could go for a few of these tasty cookies right now!

  41. Kelly says:

    Ohh how delicious! Love this recipe and just adore your site! ๐Ÿ™‚

  42. Cindie says:

    Yum, those look so good! I love sprinkles too, my favorite part of making Christmas cookies with my mom was always adding the adding of the sprinkles at the end.

  43. Hey yeah, why not.
    I have created so many recipes with cookie butter.
    Haven’t been to TJ’s in a while to get some…I’m due, but then again I’m dieting.
    So…..yeah

  44. Suzie says:

    The cookies sound really good and yes, sprinkles make everything better! I love the gold stars too ๐Ÿ™‚

  45. With these spices, I know I would love these. And with the sprinkles, I know they would make me smile ๐Ÿ™‚

  46. Rhonda says:

    These look so good, I can’t even remember the last time I had something with sprinkles on it!

  47. Wow I love these cookies! Amazing!

  48. I need to make these as soon as possible – they sound absolutely fantastic!! I love the icing and sprinkles on top ๐Ÿ™‚

  49. Ooh, these cookies look scrumptious. Love the little gold stars – and gold star to you for not scrimping on the sprinkles!

  50. Lynn says:

    It sounds like such a lovely festival of cooking and baking at your place. Fun.

  51. These look amazing!! Great pick for the Leftovers Club!

  52. P says:

    These have to be the most adorable cookies, ever ;)!

  53. Speculoos cookies are so popular in France. These sound fabulous. Have you tried speculoos spread; it’s as delicious as Nutella ๐Ÿ˜‰

  54. Esi says:

    Love these little cuties. Such addictive cookies. Also, love the site re-design!!

  55. Reeni says:

    Spice cookies are on my favorites list any time of the year! These are irresistible with that dollop of icing and all those pretty sprinkles!

  56. Laura says:

    This post cracked me up. And frankly if you think sprinkles make a mess now, well… just wait. I cringe at the thought of them to be honest, but hey at least I have dogs who come along and get most of them lol. And yes they do make life more festive–when sprinkled and not dumped in toddler enthused clumps. ๐Ÿ™‚ I especially like the silver and gold ones at the holidays. Pinning to my holiday cookie board!

  57. Johanna GGG says:

    the cookies look delicious and the sprinkles look fun – your comment about the floor made me laugh – think washing a sequined dress that falls apart on loungeroom floor when I hang it on the drying rack and you are looking at my floor – at least one small girl thinks it beautiful!

  58. grace says:

    frosting AND sprinkles improve everything, so i think you’ve safely ensured that these are outstanding. ๐Ÿ™‚

  59. Christine says:

    I haven’t had these in ages, totally forgot about them! So glad to get the recipe. And yes, sprinkles make everything better. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  60. Nutmeg Nanny says:

    How delicious, these look wonderful ๐Ÿ™‚ I am definitely making these soon!

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