Catholic Recipe: Gevulde Speculaas

Also Called: Dutch Almond Filled Spice Cookies

This recipe comes from Kathy Postma who lived in the Netherlands, married a Dutchman, and celebrates St. Nicholas Day with her family every year. It is a St. Nicholas Day favorite in the Netherlands.

DIRECTIONS

*If speculaas spices are not available you can make your own:
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 teaspoon cloves
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon allspice

Mix butter and flour with fork or pastry blender as you would for a pie crust. Add other ingredients. Knead dough until well mixed and pliable. Let dough sit for a few minutes to harden slightly. Press 1/2 of dough into a greased 8x8" pan. Brush with egg white. Place layer of almond paste on top and brush with egg white again. Press other half of dough flat with your hands; put on top of other layers. Press all 3 layers together with your hand. Brush with egg white and decorate with almonds. Bake for 40 minutes at 350º F. Cut while still warm.