Speculoos Cookie Crust Recipes

Steps:

• Place 1 package of cookies in a food processor and process to fine crumbs. Slowly add butter, with the processor running on low speed, and process until mixture resembles wet sand. Press mixture into a 9-inch pie plate and place in the freezer to set up, about 2 hours.
• Place second package of cookies in the food processor and process to fine crumbs. Slowly add butter, oil, brown sugar, white sugar, honey, vanilla extract, and salt as processor runs on low speed. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time until cookie butter reaches the desired consistency.
• Add Neufchatel cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt to cookie butter and process until well combined. Set aside.
• Whip heavy whipping cream in a stand mixer until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into the cookie butter mixture. Pour over pie crust and refrigerate until set, 8 hours to overnight.

Steps:

• Lightly spray a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick spray.
• In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the cookies into fine crumbs, about 1 minute. (You should have about 1 1/2 cups.) Add the melted butter and pulse until the mixture is uniformly combined and sticks together when pressed, 15 to 20 seconds. Press the crust evenly into the base and up the sides of the pie plate. Freeze the crust while you heat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Bake the chilled crust until it appears set and the edges start to darken slightly, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool completely.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the cream cheese and cookie butter on medium speed, 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the confectioners' sugar and mix on low speed until fully incorporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• In a liquid measuring cup with a spout, mix the 1 1/4 cups cream with the vanilla and salt to combine. Increase the mixer speed to medium and gradually add the cream mixture to the cream cheese mixture in a slow, steady stream. Continue to mix just until the mixture has thickened and holds medium peaks, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Do not overwhip, which could cause the mixture to separate.
• Pour the filling into the cooled pie crust and smooth into an even layer. Freeze the pie for 20 minutes to set the filling, then transfer to the refrigerator to chill until the filling is firm, about 45 minutes.
• Prepare the whipped cream, if using: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whip attachment, whip the remaining 3/4 cup cream to medium peaks. Spread in an even layer on top of the chilled pie and garnish with a sprinkling of cookie crumbs, if desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Steps:

• To make the splice blend, combine spices in a small bowl and mix until evenly distributed.
• To make the cookies, combine flour, salt, baking powder, and spice blend in a large mixing bowl,. Mix until blended.
• In a new large bowl, mix together the butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Mix in the egg.
• Add the flour mixture and combine until well mixed and dough forms.
• Remove dough from bowl and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 2-6 hours.
• On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a ⅛- to ¼-inch (3mm - 6mm) thickness.
• Cut the dough into desired cookie shape.
• Optional: use speculoos style cookie molds to shape cookies.
• Place cookies on parchment covered baking tray and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12-14 minutes.
• To make the cookie butter, combine cookies, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and butter in a food processor.
• Blend until peanut butter texture forms.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Put the cookies in a food processor and blitz until the cookies are a uniformly sandy texture. Drizzle in the melted butter and pulse until the mixture comes together like wet sand.
• Turn the mixture out into a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Use your fingers to pack the mixture tightly into the pan, going all the way up the sides, then use your palm to flatten the bottom. Make sure the edges and the bottom are compact and of even thickness. Place the tart pan on a baking sheet to catch any butter drips that occur during baking and to provide stability as you transfer the tart shell in and out of the oven.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the crust is no longer shiny with butter. It will continue to crisp up as it cools.
• Keep the tart shell in the pan, cool completely, and store in the fridge or freezer until ready to fill.

Steps:

• Mix the flour, sugar, a pinch of salt, the baking powder and spice in a bowl. Add 50ml of milk and the butter. Knead quickly into a smooth dough, then wrap in foil and chill for 1 hour.
• Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Line 2-3 baking sheets with baking parchment. Sprinkle the baking parchment with the flaked almonds. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured worksurface to about 3mm thick. Cut into rectangles (about 4cm x 6cm). Put these on the trays and press them down lightly on the almonds. Brush the biscuits with the remaining milk and bake for 8 minutes, keeping an eye on them to make sure they don't get too brown at the edges. Allow to cool.
• Trim any almonds sticking out of the edges of the speculoos to neaten them. Store in an airtight container.