Speculoos Buckeye Cake

Photo and Recipe by: Iambaker

Ingredients

Cake
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Filling
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup Creamy Speculoos Spread
• 4 cups powered sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (or milk)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Glaze
• 14-ounces sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup dark chocolate
• 3 tablespoons Creamy Speculoos Spread
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Cake
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl using a handheld miser or stand mixer with paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy and lighter in color.
4. Slowly add buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla.
5. Add the dry ingredients 1/2 cup at a time to the wet ingredients in your mixer bowl until incorporated, about 2 minutes.
6. Divide batter between prepared cake pans.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean.
8. Cool cakes for 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Filling
9. In a large bowl using a handheld mixer or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream butter and Speculoos Spread until smooth and fluffy (about 4 minutes).
10. Slowly add 2 cups of powdered sugar.
11. Pour in heavy cream (or milk) and add vanilla.
12. Gradually incorporate the final 2 cups of the powdered sugar.
13. mix on low speed until all the ingredients are smooth and mixed well.
Glaze
14. In a saucepan over medium heat combine the condensed milk, chocolate chips and Speculoos Spread.
15. Stir constantly until the chocolate chips are melted and the mixture is smooth. Do not allow to come to a boil.
16. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
17. Let set for a few minutes while you assemble the cake.
18. If the mixture gets too cool you can heat it up again just before pouring over the cake.
Assembling the Cake
19. Level cake rounds and place bottom layer on a cake stand or large plate.
20. Spread filing (it will be a thick layer).
21. Top with second cake round.
22. Pour glaze over the top of the cake, letting it run down over the sides.

Speculoos Toffee Pretzel Rods

photo and recipe by:crazyforcrust

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup Speculoos spread
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups toffee bits
• 15-17 large Pretzel Rods

Directions:

1. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper.
2. Place white chocolate chips and Speculoos in a medium sized bowl. Heat on 50% power in 30 second increments, stirring well between each, until melted and smooth (about 2 minutes).
3. Place toffee bits on a plate or in a shallow dish.
4. Dip each pretzel rod in the Speculoos chocolate coating about halfway down the rod. Tap off the excess and roll in the toffee bits. Place on prepared cookie sheet and chill until set.
5. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.