Ingredients

  • Speculaas Spice Mix:
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/8 pinch ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 pinch ground mace
  • 1/8 pinch ground allspice
  • 1/8 pinch ground cloves
  • 1/8 pinch ground ginger
  • Almond Paste:
  • 5 ounces blanched almonds
  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • Speculaas Dough:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • Topping:
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds, or to taste

Method

  • Mix cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, mace, allspice, cloves, and ginger together in a bowl to make speculaas spice mix.
  • Pulse almonds in a food processor until finely ground. Add 3/4 cup white sugar, egg, 1 teaspoon almond extract, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest. Pulse until mixture forms a ball.
  • Combine speculaas spice mix, flour, brown sugar, orange zest, 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until dough resembles coarse crumbs. Add milk, vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract; mix until dough forms a smooth ball.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
  • Divide dough into 2 pieces. Roll out into circles on a lightly floured work surface. Press 1 circle over the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of the lined pan. Spread almond mixture on top. Cover with second circle and seal edges over filling.
  • Mix 2 tablespoons white sugar, water, and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract in a small bowl to make a thick paste. Brush paste over top of the dough. Arrange slivered almonds in a decorative pattern on top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Let cool before removing the outer ring of the springform pan, about 30 minutes.