Speculaas

Spiced cookies known as speculaas are popular in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. The cookies, which have an intense aroma of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger, are traditionally baked on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, which is celebrated on December 5 and December 6.

The children place their shoes by the chimney before going to bed, and if they behave well, they are rewarded with speculaas in their shoes. There are several theories as to how it got its name; one claims it comes from the Latin word speculum, which means "mirror," referring to the mirrored images on the cookies.

Another popular theory holds that the word speculaas derives from the Dutch word for spice, specerij. According to the third theory, it derives from the Latin speculator, which refers to a bishop, such as St. Nicholas.

What about the distinction between speculaas and speculoos? Speculoos is apparently just the Belgian word for these cookies, but without any (or most) of the once-expensive spices, as loos means "without" in Dutch. Also, because the word speculaas does not exist in French, they are always referred to as speculoos in France.

Today, the cookies are not just for St. Nicholas Day or Christmas, but are available all year, ideally paired with a cup of hot tea or coffee.