Speculaas (windmill cookies)

Dec. 5 is celebrated in Holland as Sinterklaas Day. Of course, being a Dutch family, it only made sense to take this opportunity for a good excuse to bake and have a party. Speculaas cookies (windmill cookies) are the traditional treat of Sinterklaas day. It is usually made in windmill or dutch boy and girl shapes, baked into a wooden press, but we just made due with christmas cookie cutters, along with a wooden shoe shape and a windmill shape, although as you can see in the picture below, the windmill looks a little more like a bunny, at least that's what the M-ster says!
Speculaas are a crunchy, spice cookie, studded with almond slices and usually topped with almond slices (we left them off this time). We also made half the dough without almonds for the little ones at the party! It's a very easy dough to whip up and work with. You do need to let it chill in the fridge overnight, so plan ahead!

Speculaas (windmill cookies)

1 cup butter, softened

2 tsp. vanilla

1 cup sugar

1 1/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs, beaten

3 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cloves

1/2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp ground anise seed (I left out b/c I didnt have any)

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 cups sliced almonds, plus more for topping, if desired

*Combine the flour, baking soda, all the spices and the salt. Set aside.

*Cream the butter, vanilla, and both sugars, until light and fluffy.

*Add the beaten eggs and blend well.

*Add the dry ingredients.

*Stir in the almonds, by hand, so you dont crush them.

*Divide the dough into four and form each one into a disk. Wrap each section in plastic wrap and chill overnight.

* When ready to bake, allow the dough to warm up a bit so you can roll it out. Roll to about 1/4 inch thickness, cut.

*Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 min.