History
Speculoos is the spiced biscuit of the Low Countries, with roots in the 5th December Sinterklaas tradition when biscuits shaped as bishops, windmills and animals were given to children. The Belgian version, produced industrially by Lotus since 1932, is flatter and spicier than the Dutch speculaas. Artisan versions at Ghent's Patisserie Joost Arijs use hand-carved wooden moulds and a house spice blend with higher cinnamon and cardamom ratios. The biscuit is at its peak around Christmas but sold year-round.
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Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Egg
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 250g plain flour
- 150g dark brown sugar
- 125g cold butter, cubed
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp ground cardamom
- 0.25 tsp ground cloves
- 0.25 tsp ground ginger
- 0.5 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
Method
- Mix flour, sugar, spices, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl.
- Rub in cold butter with fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
- Add egg and mix to a firm dough. Do not overwork.
- Wrap in cling film and chill for 1 hour.
- Roll out to 3mm thickness on a floured surface. Cut with speculoos or biscuit cutters.
- Bake at 180C for 10-12 minutes until golden brown at the edges. Cool completely on a rack.
Tip from the editors. The biscuits firm up considerably on cooling; take them out while they still flex slightly in the centre.
Where to eat belgian speculoos
Belgian Speculoos in Ghent
The Bakery by Joost Arijs ★ 4.6
Pastry chef and chocolatier Joost Arijs opened this specialist sourdough bakery in 2022, with slow-fermented wheat, rye and multigrain loaves.
OrderCountry sourdough loaf: 24-hour fermentation, open crumb, caramelised crust.
TipOpen Tuesday to Saturday 08:00-18:00; the croissants are best in the first two hours of opening.
Himschoot Bakery ★ 4.4
Ghent's oldest bakery since 1880: suikerbrood, koeken and morning buns for under €3 each, eaten standing in the Groentenmarkt near the Gravensteen.
OrderSuikerbrood (sugar bread): the pearl-sugar enriched loaf, warmest and cheapest near the Gravensteen walls.
TipArrive by 08:00 for the warmest bread; the Dok Noord branch opens later and has slightly shorter queues.
More places near The Bakery by Joost Arijs and Himschoot Bakery
Not on this list, but close by, nearest first. Every one is in our guide with its address, hours and what to order.
- Stroom Brouwers Taproom New American, about 550 m away
- Bar Bask Basque Grill, about 1.0 km away
- Bask Basque, about 1.0 km away
- Full Circle Coffee Bar Café, about 1.0 km away
- Full Circle Coffee Bar and Roastery Coffee roaster, about 1.0 km away
- Madam Bakster Café, about 1.1 km away
More cities are in research. Want belgian speculoos covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.