Speculaas ( Dutch spice cookies)

I made this yesterday, Speculaas = Dutch spiced cookies,
These delicious cinnamon-gingery treats are traditionally eaten at Sinterklass ( santa claus day), a Dutch festival on Dec. 5, but have become so popular that they're now enjoyed throughout the year.

The original recipe from here.

1 cup unsalted butter

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cup granulated sugar1

1/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. ground cloves

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. ground anise seed

1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 cup sliced almonds

In large mixing bowl combine butter and vanilla with both sugars andbeat untill light and fluffy. Add beaten eggs and blend well. Sift theflour and all remaining dry ingredients together and beat into thebutter mixture. Mix in the sliced almonds by hand, so as not to crush them. Divide the dough into 4 equal portions and chill overnight.

Pre-heat oven to 350 degree. Roll the cooled dough into 1/4-inch thick portions and cut with cookie cutters or shape with a special speculaasmold or other cookie mold . Bake for 10-15 minutes and store inairtight container.

Makes 36 cookies
It is best to put the dough together at night so the cookies can bebaked the next day.

In every recipe it says to put it in the refrigerator over night. I think because of the spices they have time to mix and be more flavor-full.