It’s been a while since I’ve blogged about my (not so) little obsession with speculoos. I first made Lotus cookie cinnamon buns with speculoos cream cheese frosting and then I moved on to speculoos pancakes. As the speculoos obsession began to die down, I nearly forgot about the fantastic spiced cookies, until my brother brought me back a few samples that he got on the plane to Israel. One bite and I was transported back to speculoos heaven. So…I decided to transport you all as well, with this amazing speculoos Chex party mix that I made back during my Lotus-cookie-addiction-days.
If you’re not familiar with speculoos, it’s a spiced shortcrust biscuit, or what Lotus (a popular manufacturer of speculoos cookies) calls, “The Original Caramelized Biscuit.” Speculoos cookies have been a popular treat in Belgium for years, and are sometimes referred to as Lotus or Biscoff cookies. Their popularity reached new heights, when a few years ago, a woman won a television contest for inventing a sweet spread made from the cookies. Speculoos spread went viral, with many companies, like Trader Joes, selling their own versions.
Have you ever had Chex Muddy Buddies (also known as puppy chow)? You know, that addictive cereal snack with chocolate and peanut butter that’s covered in powdered sugar? Well, I decided to create a speculoos-flavored version, coating the cereal in toffee and dusting it in ground up Lotus cookie powder. I don’t even have to tell you that it tastes even better than it sounds, because you can practically see for yourself.
If you’re drooling over the screen wondering, “How on earth does she expect me to make these if I can’t get my hands on kosher Lotus cookies?” I’ll tell you how. Because I feel for all you speculoos-deprived people, I asked my cousin in The Netherlands to send me over some kosher-certified speculoos goodies (thanks Chaya!) and I’m going to generously share them with you in my SPECULOOS GIVEAWAY!
You will win:
1 jar speculoos cookie butter
1 package Lotus cookies
1 jar speculoos spice mix
To enter:
1. Like Busy In Brooklyn on Facebook.
2. Leave a comment letting me know your favorite BIB recipe.
Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be chosen at random at 10:00 AM EST on October 18th, 2013.
Speculoos Puppy Chow
3 cups corn Chex
4 tbsp butter
4 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
15 lotus cookies
Method:
In a large pot, melt the butter and brown sugar over low heat, whisking the mixture so that it combines into a caramel . Once it has begun boiling, let it bubble for approximately 3 minutes, until thickened. Remove from the heat and add the salt, cinnamon and vanilla. Pour the cereal into the pot and stir gently with a spatula to coat. Spread cereal out on a parchment-lined baking sheet to set.
In a food processor or blender, pulse the lotus cookies until crumby. Pour into a large Ziploc bag. Add caramel-coating Chex to Ziploc and shake to coat the cereal.
VARIATION: You may also use rice, wheat or multi-bran Chex varieties.
OPTIONAL ADD-INS: candied pecans, roasted almonds, pretzels, chocolate chips.
I was just telling a friend that I was craving muddy buddies, but I wanted them to be laced with cookie butter instead of peanut butter! Amazing! That would be an amazing prize package to win!
My favorite recipe of yours has got to be the chili and cornbread jars from the summer!
favorite BIB recipe- Smoked Paprika Popcorn Cauliflower… its a shabbat staple in our house!
You know how much I love speculoos :) My favorite BIB recipe is your blog anniversary BBQ brisket!
LOVE your veal meatballs!!
my favorite recipe id for your smores cookies
I love the Speculoos cinammon buns. Yum!
I love all your recipes….but we made the honey mustard potatoes over Sukkos…and that was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good.
Love love love s’mores cookies!!
This looks so amazing! I am sure it is worthy of my carefully guarded packages of kosher speculoos I brought back from LA so I will be making it soon!
My favorite recipe of yours is the grilled corn with za’atar butter.
Oh- a great idea to make for the kiddies for a shabbos treat. Have been hoarding the lotus cookies I brought back from Israel- haven’t even opened them yet! But this looks worth trying!
I love your mehsi and have given that recipe to a few people. I haven’t made anything I didn’t like but that may be my favorite.
I’ve tried to find those Lotus cookies in Pomegranate (they’re not there!) and everywhere else. I’m so desperate for these!
My favorite Busy in Brooklyn Recipe was the vegetarian chili and cornbread. Once I lowered the sugar, I was pleasantly surprised how amazing you could get chili to taste without meat!
3-Cheese Broccoli Pull-Apart Buns
Love your vegetarian chili!
My personal favorite is the cabbage soup but my kids love the honey mustard roasted potatoes. (I’m a newbie to BIB but since I’ve found the site, I’ve made at least one recipe a week).
love love love your eggplant israeli salad! & I love the lotus cookies too!
braised shallots! YUMMY!!!
The honey mustard roasted potatoes. .. heaven
Oh my, I have been OBSESSED with wanting to try these but can’t find them kosher! My fave recipe of yours, which is what brought me to your blog (found it on Pinterest or a link or something) was for cheesy stuffed mini peppers.
Now, hoping I get to finally try this deliciousness!
i want the cookies!
I’m expecting a private tasting of speculoos treats when I come in from Aussie :)
This is funny but I liked the post on challah toppings.
Also I made the chocolate tofu mousse and it was amazing, now I want to try your peanut butter one!
Salami chips!
So many recipes! I can’t wait to try the veg. chili.
Fav recipe vegi chili and cornbread!
So far my favorites are the turkey London Broil, s’mores cookies, and Dirty Rice!
My favorite recipe is the Rainbow Cobb Salad and dressing. Not only delicious, but looks beautiful!
Wow those look fantastic! craving some cookies right about now. I havent actually tried these recipes yet, but the speculoos cinnamon buns as well as the chili and cornbread are both high on my list. If i win, i can try the cinnamon buns!
Honey mustard potatoes
My favorite recipe is the broccoli pull apart buns.
Hi! Where can I purchase kosher speculoos butter?
In Israel.
We love your sweet crumb topping for challah:-)
My favorite recipes are the asparagus wrapped in pastrami and your grilled chicken summer roll. (Took me forever to find the rice paper but was totally worth it.)
Hope I win out of every contest I have ever entered this one would be the best one to win!!!
this recipe looks yum! now i really want those cookies! if i win i will make it, it may be my favorite :)
Rainbow Cobb salad!
I love your s’mores cookies. They were amazing.
Your honey mustard potatoes were a huge hit over sukkot! I had to make another batch because the first was gobbled right up!
I love many of the recipes, but this is my favorite.
Love your blog…just came across it a couple of weeks glad I did.
I love the s’mores cookies and honey roasted potatoes!!
like u on fb
pumpkin crumble
Choosing one recipe is very hard! But I would say, the Roasted Eggplant Parmesan with Feta and the small roasted eggplant with israeli salad and techini as a starter
I love your mock chopped liver recipe, and so does my whole family!
if i want to make the chez but dont have the cookies is there a substitute? as this looks really yum!
You can try some crushed up gingersnaps, cinnamon or spiced cookies.
love your smores cookies!
My favorite recipe is the curry honey chicken but I love all your recipes!
Yum! This looks so good. Can’t wait to try this one.
To this day… I’ve still never had speculoos.
broccoli cheddar pull apart buns!
I love youre mushroom barley soup and honey cake
Love them all!!
I have many favorites, but right now, I love the honey mustard potatoes.
I really enjoy your blog!! I make your Honey roasted potatoes and more!
Ive made your honey roasted potatoes and more!
Nori Caesar salad! Made the croutons with gluten free bread for someone with celiac this summer and it was soooo good!
I’m so happy to hear that! I wasn’t sure if anyone would actually make that recipe!
My fave recipes are smores cookies and sundried tomato olive dip.
Besides my previous comment, your Shabbos menus on FB are very inspiring. After a long week, trying to come up with different shabbos meals, salads, dips, etc isn’t easy so I always look at your FB page for inspiration.
Thanks Devorah, that means a lot!
Liked on Facebook!
Favorite recipe: Apple pie bundt cake
Made the honey mustard potatoes on Sukkot – everyone loved them!
I love the veal meatballs and smorEs cookies!
love the pomegranate cole slaw
This one is my favorite!!! I can’t wait to make them!
Tough choice, but the cabbage soup with flanken reminds me so much of happy days with family, it’s the hands down winner!
These look delicious- can I substitute the butter for margarine to make pareve?
Yes!