Speculaas (spice cookies)

Description
A famous cookie made from spices. It can be seen all over the year, but mainly around christmas.

Note: Some Dutch/European specialty stores may have pre-mixed speculaas

spice packages.

Ingredients

 * 1 cup margarine or butter
 * 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
 * 1 1/2 tsps ground cinnamon
 * 1 tsp baking powder
 * 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
 * 1/2 tsp ground cloves
 * 1/4 tsp salt
 * 1 egg
 * 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
 * 1/3 cup finely chopped blanched almonds (optional)
 * Blanched whole almonds (optional)

Directions
Beat margarine or butter with a mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds or by hand. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, nutmeg, cloves and salt. Beat in egg and flour. Add chopped almonds if using. Roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness on a lightly floured board and cut into shapes (windmills and Sinterklaas/Santa shapes are traditional). Decorate with whole almonds if using. Place one inch apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. Bake in 350 degree F oven 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool 1 minute, transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Makes 4 to 6 dozen (depending on size.)