Speculaas is a traditional Dutch spice that’s similar to the North American pumpkin pie spice. Gevulde speculaas is a speculaas cookie filled with almond paste. I used my homemade almond paste for this recipe but you can also use store bought almond paste if that’s available in your area.
Speculaas cookies have been made in the Netherlands since the 17th century. What makes those cookies so addictive is the mix of warm spice and brown sugar in the dough. The same mix of warm spices flavors this Speculaas Cake with almond paste filling. In Dutch it’s called Gevulde Speculaas (literally, filled speculaas).
Traditionally Speculaas are made and served on December 6th , Saint Nicholas’ day. Speculaas are softer gingerbread like cookies and Gevulde Speculaas are almond filled spice cookies. A layer of spiced pie-crust ish dough, a layer of almond paste, another layer of the spiced dough and there you have it.
Filled Speculaas Cake! If you love speculaas (speculoos, windmill) cookies, you'll really love this giant cookie/cake filled with luscious almond paste. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ap flour, cake flour, baking powder, salt, all the spices and the brown sugar.