INGREDIENTS:

1 cup margarine or butter
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tsps ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup finely chopped blanched almonds (optional)
Blanched whole almonds (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

(Note: Some Dutch/European specialty stores may have pre-mixed  
speculaas spice packages) 

      
Beat margarine or butter with a mixer on medium to high 
speed for 30 seconds or by hand. Add brown sugar, 
cinnamon, baking powder, nutmeg, cloves and salt. Beat 
in egg and flour. Add chopped almonds if using. Roll dough 
to 1/8 inch thickness on a lightly floured board and cut  
into shapes (windmills and Sinterklaas/Santa shapes are      

traditional but we also cut them into the children's initials).
Decorate with whole almonds if using.   

Place one inch apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. 
Bake in  350 degree F oven 8 to 10 minutes or until edges  
are lightly browned. Cool 1 minute; transfer to wire racks 
to cool completely. Makes 4 to 6 dozen (depending on size.)