Holiday spices

yum yum.

I made some speculaas (or speculoos) recently. A big batch of dough. I froze the dough in rolls and so can slice and bake and have fresh speculaas baking aroma in the house whenever I want.

I have seen plenty of recipes around. And have tried the joy of baking version and the Action Pack version. Both excellent — but with slightly different spice mixes and dough consistency.

I have also been making ginger snaps. My go-to holiday cookie. I love ginger. I have a free recipe download here from the Action Pack.

I love the speculaas spice — cinnamon-y. But there are lots of versions of spice. And lots of different holiday spices all over Europe, more cinnamon, or more cardamon or more ginger.

Speculaas spice mix (Netherlands and Belgium) is strong on cinnamon:

• 8 teaspoons cinnamon powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cloves
• 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoons ground white pepper
• 1 teaspoon ginger powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom

Gingerbread spice mix (throughout Europe) heavy on the ginger:

• 6 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoons ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Piparkukas spice mix (Latvian) — are heavy on the cardamon and cloves — not so gingery — more peppery

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons cloves
• 2 teaspoons coriander
• 1 teaspoons cardamom
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ginger

Pfeffernusse spice mix (Germany) heavy on the pepper and nutmeg

• 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons ginger powder
• 1 teaspoon ground all spice
• 2 teaspoons ground red and black peppercorns

Lebkuchen spice mix (Germany) is a traditional mix of holiday spices (cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg with the addition of coriander, cardamom, and star anise):

• 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground aniseed or star anise
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom seeds
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• pinch of paprika

Try these spice mixes in ice cream, mulled wine, hot apple cider, pies and cakes — for that spicy holiday smell to fill your house.