Sinterklaas celebrations are full of cosy flavours, sweet spices, and childhood nostalgia. But if you’re working on rebuilding your microbiome or following a traditional nutrient-dense way of eating, the conventional shop-bought treats might not sit so well.
Luckily, you really can enjoy something delicious, festive, and gentle on your gut, without feeling like you’re undoing all your work.
Enter: Sourdough Speculaas Spice Biscuits.
These biscuits bring together the best of Dutch tradition, slow fermentation, and richly aromatic Middle Eastern-inspired spice blends. They’re naturally easier to digest, deeply flavourful, and nourishing.
Why This Sinterklaas Treat Supports Gut Health
A few reasons these biscuits fit beautifully into a microbiome-friendly lifestyle:
1. Naturally fermented sourdough
Long fermentation breaks down gluten and phytic acid, making grains easier to digest and their minerals more accessible.
It also reduces the glycaemic impact, far better for blood sugar and steady energy.
2. Traditional fats
Using butter or ghee, never vegetable oils, supports hormone balance, stable energy, and satiety. Ghee in particular is rich in butyrate, one of the gut’s favourite nutrients.
3. Warming spices with microbial benefits
Speculaas spices overlap beautifully with Middle Eastern spice traditions:
cinammon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, mace, anise, black pepper, all rich in antioxidants with gentle antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and digestive-soothing properties.
4. Mineral-rich sweeteners
Using a touch of raw honey or a small amount of unrefined sugar (like muscovado) gives depth of flavour while providing trace minerals.
5. Better for digestion, better for celebrations
You get a treat that still feels indulgent, festive, and utterly delicious, without feeding dysbiosis or irritating the gut.
Sourdough speculaas spice biscuits
Ingredients
- 150 gr sourdough starter active
- 150 gr spelt or einkorn flour
- 100 gr butter or ghee softened
- 60 gr muscovado sugar or 50gr honey
- 1 medium egg
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- handful nuts chopped
Speculaas Spice Mix
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp clove
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1/2 tsp cardamom
- 1/4 tsp anise
- 1 pinch black pepper
Instructions
1. Ferment the dough (for easier digestion)
In a bowl, mix the flour, sourdough starter, and butter/ghee until you get a smooth dough. Cover and leave at room temperature for 8–12 hours (or overnight). This step does the magic, fermentation breaks down hard-to-digest compounds, making the treat much gentler on the gut.2. Prepare the spice and sugar mix
Beat the egg, sugar/honey, salt, bicarbonate of soda, and all spices together until smooth and deeply fragrant.3. Combine
Add the spiced mixture into the fermented dough and knead or mix until fully incorporated. If using nuts, fold them in gently.4. Chill
Place in the fridge for 1 hour so it firms up and rolls easily.5. Shape
Roll the dough to about 5–7 mm thickness. Use traditional Dutch shapes or simple rectangles, whatever feels festive.6. Bake
Bake at 170°C (340°F) for 12–15 minutes, until golden at the edges but still soft in the centre. They’ll firm as they cool.
How to Serve (for Maximum Gut Friendliness)
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Enjoy with a small cup of milk, spiced kefir, or lightly sweetened chamomile-anise tea.
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Serve alongside fermented treats in your celebration spread, such as homemade fruit kvass or milk yoghurt with cinnamon.
Why These Make Celebrations Feel Good Again
So many people feel torn at this time of year. They want to celebrate, bake, and enjoy the season, but they also want to keep their gut healing on track.
These sourdough speculaas biscuits give you the best of both worlds:
✨ Proper tradition
✨ Real ingredients
✨ Slow fermentation
✨ Nourishing fats
✨ Spices that support digestion
✨ And flavours that make your whole home smell festive
It’s celebration food, the traditional way, simple, honest, and good for you.
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Disclaimer: The content of this blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. While I strive to provide accurate, well-researched, and up-to-date information, I am not a licensed medical professional. The insights shared here are based on personal research and experience. I encourage you to conduct your own research and consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions. Your well-being is important, and any actions taken based on the information in this blog are solely at your own discretion and risk.