Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter is a heavenly spread that is simply irresistible. If you haven’t yet tried it, you’re in for a treat. Imported from the Netherlands, this iconic TJ’s product is inspired by a classic Dutch windmill cookie called Speculaas. The cookie butter is a creamy, smooth spread made from ground Speculoos cookies, and it has a rich, caramel-like flavor with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cardamom, and white pepper.
You won’t believe how versatile this Trader Joe’s butter is, unique in the world. You can enjoy it straight from the jar, insert a tablespoon and take it out full to the top. Or, you can put it in your craziest and most intrepid recipes. From cookies to brownies and cakes, the possibilities are endless. If you are a devoted cookie butter lover, you will swoon over the following sweet recipes.
But, what is exactly the Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter?
Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about this magical concoction. What exactly is Speculoos? Well, it’s a type of spiced biscuit that’s traditionally eaten before St. Nicolas’ Feast on either December 5th or 6th, depending on if you’re from The Netherlands, Belgium, or Northern France. The cookies have been around for hundreds of years and are very thin, very crunchy, and browned. They’re made from flour, brown sugar, and a mix of spices which varies from one city to another, according to the local traditional recipes.
The creation of Biscoff spread, another popular brand of Speculoos spread, happened because of a TV contest in Belgium in 2007 on a show named “De Bedenkers” or “The Inventors.” Els Scheppers created a sweet, creamy spread using the famous Lotus Speculoos cookies. Lotus Bakeries got in touch with Els, and they worked together to perfect her creation. Just three hours after its initial release in Belgium, the product sold out, and a culinary phenomenon was born.
Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter was first introduced to the U.S. in 2011, and shortly after that, they came out with Speculoos Crunchy Butter. Since then, the spread has gained a loyal following and has become a staple in many households.
How you can use the Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter
We’ve rounded up three sweet treat recipes that incorporate Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter for a decadent and delicious experience. First up, we have the Cookie Butter Cheesecake. This heavenly cheesecake recipe uses Biscoff cookies instead of graham crackers for a buttery, crumbly crust, and it’s already divine on its own. But why stop there? A little bit of Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter goes a long way to take this cheesecake up a notch. Simply add 1/4 cup of cookie butter to a pan on low heat, stir frequently until it melts, then drizzle it onto the cheesecake once it’s cooled. Each slice will have the perfect amount of cookie butter goodness!
Next, we have the Break-and-Bake Kitchen Sink Cookies. These cookies are already loaded with all sorts of tasty ingredients like chocolate chips, pretzels, and oats. But trust us, Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter takes them to a whole new level. You can either add 2 to 3 tablespoons of cookie butter to the batter or drizzle it on top of the baked treats once they’ve completely cooled. You won’t regret it.
In the third place, we have Chewy Chocolate Brownies. Is there anything that pairs better with chocolate than cookie butter? We don’t think so. This recipe gives you a few options to incorporate cookie butter into the mix. You can add a few tablespoons to the batter itself or drizzle it on top of the batter before baking. If you choose the drizzle method, be sure to delicately swirl the cookie butter with a toothpick to create a beautiful marble effect.