31.01.2009 Spekuloos Mania

This here is my favorite cookie, and also one that has so many ways of being spelled, I always have to check to make sure I’m doing it right. Spekuloos!

If you drizzle some melted dark chocolate on top of one, I’d do just about anything for a bite. (No, not that. Not that either, sorry.)

Alas, partially hydrogenated fats, this cookie contains. I always go through several episodes of grabbing the bag only to put it back down, until I decide that the fact I usually eat fairly healthy stuff nips the evil hydrogenation in the bud.
Well, it certainly won’t, but you know what I’m saying: denial is a wonderful thing. And so are these Spekuloos muffins.

Spekuloos Muffins:

For the muffins:
Non-stick cooking spray
14 ounces (400 g) Spekuloos cookies, finely ground
1 cup (78 g) quick-cooking oats, ground
1 tablespoon (12 g) baking powder
1 1/2 cups (355 ml) almond or other nondairy milk
6 tablespoons (90 g) blended silken tofu or soy yogurt
3/4 cup (144 g) Sucanat

For the chocolate ganache:
1/4 cup (60 ml) plain soy or other nondairy milk
1/2 cup (88 g) nondairy semisweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon (15 ml) pure maple syrup or (21 g) agave nectar

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C, or gas mark 5). Lightly coat a standard muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray.
Whisk cookie crumbles, flour, and baking powder in a large bowl.
Blend milk, tofu or yogurt, and Sucanat in a medium bowl with an immersion blender. Alternately, use a countertop blender or food processor.
Fold wet ingredients into dry, being careful not to overmix.
Divide batter equally among muffin cups.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool on a wire rack.

To prepare the ganache:
Scorch the milk in a small saucepan on medium-high heat, remove from heat. Add chips, and stir until melted. Add agave, stir well.
Drizzle on top of cooled muffins.

Yield: 12 muffins

(this post has been edited from its original version, because I wrongly assumed Ikea sells Spekuloos, when it really sells Pepparkakor instead. I’m such an airhead. hold me.)