5-Minute Cookie Butter Recipe: Quick Homemade Spread

This quick and easy cookie butter is creamy, smooth and ready in about 5 minutes. Enjoy it on toast, stirred into smoothies or oatmeal, with fresh fruit, or straight from the spoon.

If you love cookies, cookie butter may become your next obsession. Inspired by the popular speculoos spreads found in Europe (and the famous Trader Joe’s version), this homemade cookie butter is made with simple ingredients and a blender or food processor. It takes only minutes to prepare and yields a smooth, spreadable paste that pairs well with many breakfasts and desserts.

What is Cookie Butter?

Cookie butter is a spread made by grinding cookies into a fine paste with a little liquid and flavorings. Traditionally it’s made from speculoos cookies—spiced, crisp cookies common in parts of Europe around the holidays—whose warm spices and sandy texture make an exceptionally smooth spread. While speculoos yields the most authentic flavor, you can make cookie butter from many types of cookies for different results.

Kitchen Tools

• Blender or food processor
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Airtight storage container

Ingredients

• Cookies: Speculoos or Lotus Biscoff are ideal for the classic flavor. If unavailable, try gingersnaps, molasses cookies, or other crisp cookies.
• Milk: Any variety works—dairy or plant-based. Use just enough to reach a spreadable consistency.
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Cinnamon and sea salt

Ways to Use

Cookie butter is versatile. Use it as a spread, a mix-in, or a topping. It’s delicious on fruits, toast, pancakes, crepes, waffles, stirred into oatmeal or overnight oats, blended into smoothies, or folded into baked goods. It’s also a fun swap for peanut butter in sandwiches and a tasty spoonable treat straight from the bowl.

• Sliced apples, bananas, or strawberries
• Overnight oats or warm oatmeal
• On toast or English muffins
• Between cookies or in crepes
• Topping for waffles or pancakes
• Mixed into brownies or batter
• In smoothies or shakes

Pro Tips

Slowly add milk: Start with the amount called for, then add extra milk one tablespoon at a time if the spread is too thick. Adding liquid too quickly can make the spread runny.

Try different cookies: While speculoos or Biscoff cookies produce the classic flavor, shortbread, snickerdoodle, sugar cookies, peanut butter cookies, or other crisp cookies will create unique variations. Expect the texture and flavor to change with different cookies.

Common Questions

5-Minute Cookie Butter Recipe

This simple copycat of classic speculoos spread comes together in minutes and makes a creamy, spreadable treat.

Ingredients

• 8 oz gingersnap cookies (preferably Lotus Biscoff)
• 1/4 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend on high until the mixture forms a smooth paste. Depending on the cookie type, you may need to add a little more milk to reach a spreadable, nut-butter-like consistency—add one tablespoon at a time.
2. When the cookie butter reaches the desired texture, transfer to a jar and enjoy immediately or store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Cookie suggestions: Speculoos or Lotus Biscoff are recommended for the classic flavor. If unavailable, use gingersnaps or molasses cookies.

Consistency: Adjust milk and spices to taste. Start with the listed amounts, blend, then tweak for texture and flavor.

I hope you enjoy this easy cookie butter and find many delicious ways to use it. If you try the recipe, share your experience in the comments!