Speculaas (St. Nicholas Cookies)

Description
This classic Dutch recipe is also known as St. Nicholas Cookies, or in northern Germany, Spekulatius.
 * Source: Christmas Cookie Recipes from around the World
 * Submitted by ckpenner77@hotmail.com
 * Makes about 36

Ingredients

 * 1 cup unsalted butter; softened
 * 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
 * 1 cup granulated sugar
 * 1¼ cups brown sugar, firmly packed
 * 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
 * 3½ cups all-purpose flour
 * 2 teaspoons baking soda
 * 2 teaspoons cinnamon
 * 1 teaspoon nutmeg
 * 1 teaspoon ground cloves
 * ½ teaspoon ginger
 * ½ teaspoon ground anise seed
 * ⅛ teaspoon salt
 * ½ cup sliced almonds

Directions

 * 1) In a large mixing bowl combine butter and vanilla with both sugars and beat until light and fluffy.
 * 2) Add beaten eggs and blend well.
 * 3) Sift the flour and all remaining dry ingredients together and beat into the butter mixture.
 * 4) Mix in the sliced almonds by hand, so as not to crush them.
 * 5) Divide the dough into four equal portions and chill overnight.
 * 6) Pre-heat oven to 350°F.
 * 7) Roll the cooled dough out into ¼- inch thick portions and cut with cookie cutters or shape with a special speculaas mold or other cookie mold or stamp.
 * 8) Bake for 10 – 15 minutes and store in an airtight container.