Best Low-FODMAP Speculoos Cookie Recipe; Gluten-free, Dairy-free

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So what is a Speculoos cookie?  It is a crisp, crunchy, cinnamon and spiced biscuit, originating in Belgium.  This cookie gained national popularity by the ‘Biscoff’ brand often served on airline flights, as well as through its use in cookie butters. I am a big fan of the Trader Joe’s version as well.

It was clear to me that amazing recipes for a low-FODMAP Speculoos Cookie (and low-FODMAP Cookie Butter) needed to happen.  So here it is… and click the link for the low-FODMAP Cookie Butter recipe!

This low-FODMAP Speculoos Cookie is perfectly dunkable and goes brilliantly with coffee, tea, and everything in between.  While I wouldn’t call it a “low-FODMAP Biscoff Copycat”, because the texture and color is slightly different, it is certainly consistent with the definition of a Speculoos.  These are absolutely delicious.

Best of all, this low-FODMAP Speculoos Cookie recipe is quite simple, and will yield plenty of extra low-FODMAP Speculoos for making low-FODMAP Cookie Butter.  YES.

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Or check out over 300 more low-FODMAP recipes on the blog.  IBS-friendly!

Be healthy and happy,

Rachel Pauls, MD


Best Low-FODMAP Speculoos Cookies; Gluten-free, Dairy-free

Although this recipe has not been tested, a single serving should be low-FODMAP based on the ingredients.

Yield 40-50 cookies, depending on size

Serving size: About 2-3 cookies

Prep time: 15 min plus 30 min for refrigeration

Bake time: 8-10 min

Total time: 55 min

Bake: 375 F

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup vegetable shortening, plus more for greasing if necessary
  • 1 cup light brown sugar or Belgian brown sugar (like Brewer’s Best) for a more authentic taste
    • Brown sugar is made in a different process in Belgium than in the US (no molasses used)
    • You can also replicate this sugar by caramelizing your own: Place white sugar in an oven on a baking sheet at 300 F for about 1-4 hours, stirring occasionally until sugar is lightly brown
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup light corn syrup
  • 1 & ¾ cups low-FODMAP, gluten-free flour (I like Authentic Foods GF Classic Blend- check out my low-FODMAP Bake off blog for the reason why!!)
  • ¼ cup sweet rice flour
    • This type of gluten-free flour is made from ‘sticky glutinous rice’, rather than regular white rice.  Be sure not to substitute regular rice flour.  Bob’s Red Mill sells this type of flour and it is usually available at organic stores, Whole Foods or Amazon
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon xanthan gum (if not added to your flour choice)
  • 1 & 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/16 teaspoon cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Optional additional spices (based on your preference): 1/4 tsp ginger, pinch of anise
  • Baking spray, parchment or silicone liners for cookie sheets

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F and prepare baking sheet with liners or spray
  • Beat shortening and brown sugar in large bowl of electric mixer until creamy
  • Beat in egg and corn syrup and mix until smooth
  • Add in remaining ingredients and mix to form soft dough
  • Form into flat square shape and wrap in plastic wrap
    • This part doesn’t need to be too precise
  • Refrigerate for 30 minutes
  • Roll dough to about 1/4 inch thick strip, then cut into 2 inch by 1 inch rectangles with a straight or fluted pastry knife
    • Place these rectangles 2 inches apart on baking tray (they will spread)
    • Alternatively: form dough into one–inch balls using your hands or a small cookie-scoop for round cookies
      • Place on cookie sheet with 2 inches between cookies

  • If you want to make these low-FODMAP Speculoos cookies with imprinted designs then refrigerate dough again for about 30 minutes after cutting out shapes before baking (I skipped this step)
    • Otherwise the dough is a bit tricky to maintain its form due to spreading *the only thing I wasn’t able to perfect.  Sigh.

  • Bake for about 8-10 minutes, careful not to over-bake, since ovens vary
    • They will be lightly golden, but not brown
    • They will continue to bake after removing
  • Leave on baking sheets for about 2 minutes to harden, then transfer to a wire rack and cool

  • Crisp and so delicious!  Low-FODMAP Speculoos Cookies go perfectly with a nice cup of tea.

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5 Responses

  1. My husband is Dutch and I would love to make homemade speculoos cookies ! ! ! I am wondering if I could substitute maple syrup for the corn syrup and butter for the shortening? They are ingredients I never otherwise use and worry the rest would waste away in my cupboard.

    1. Heather,
      Glad to hear from you!
      From a FODMAP standpoint, both of those substitutes would be fine, however it is hard to say if the cookies would bake the same way. The maple syrup may be a bit thinner than the corn syrup, and the butter could also result in a thinner cookie or a different texture, as butter tends to spread a bit more in baking. But it never hurts to try…even baking mishaps usually taste pretty wonderful. Let us know how it works out for you! 🙂

      1. Hi Rachel,

        Thanks for the advice! I did make the cookies with the above substitutions and they turned out DELICIOUS, but even with an extra couple of minutes in the oven, they were fairly soft/chewy. I’m not sure if that is due to the substitutions, but my toddler, my (Dutch, speculoos-loving) husband and myself loved them and we’ll be making them again! Thanks for the amazing recipe!

        1. And, since I will be making them again, I may as well buy some corn syrup and shortening. Then I can try the original recipe to compare, and I’ll have the ingredients on hand for many more batches 😉

          1. Heather,
            This is fantastic! We are soooo pleased the cookies worked out, and hope you enjoy them even more the next time. Keep us posted 🙂

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As an IBS-sufferer myself, I know how badly you want to feel healthy and happy. I’ve spent over a decade researching IBS and FODMAPs, and my recipes and guidance will help you succeed.

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