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How to Make Pfeffernusse Cookies - A Step-by-Step Guide

Pfeffernusse cookies are a traditional German holiday treat that have been enjoyed for centuries. These small, spiced cookies are a beloved part of the Christmas season in Germany and are often enjoyed alongside mulled wine or hot chocolate. The name "Pfeffernusse" translates to "pepper nuts" in English, and the cookies are typically made with a combination of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and, of course, a hint of black pepper.

These cookies are a delightful blend of swe...

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Ingredients

  • ½ cup molasses
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup shortening
  • ¼ cup margarine
  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup white sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons anise extract
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cardamom
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Additional Time: 2 hrs
  • Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins
  • Servings: 18
  • Yield: 36 cookies

  • Place molasses, honey, shortening, and margarine in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir until creamy.
  • Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Beat in eggs.
  • Combine flour, white sugar, brown sugar, anise, cinnamon, cardamom, baking soda, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, black pepper, and salt in a large bowl.
  • Add molasses mixture; stir until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate dough until well chilled, about 2 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  • Roll dough into acorn-sized balls and place 1 inch apart on baking sheets.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until firm to the touch with slight cracking, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool on the baking sheets briefly before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Dust cooled cookies with confectioners' sugar. Store in an airtight container.

    • Nutrition

    284 cal.

    • Total Fat: 6g
    • Saturated Fat: 1g
    • Cholesterol: 21mg
    • Sodium: 213mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 54g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Total Sugars: 30g
    • Protein: 4g
    • Vitamin C: 0mg
    • Calcium: 37mg
    • Iron: 2mg
    • Potassium: 191mg

    Categories

    Baking recipes
    Dessert recipes
    Snack recipes
    Holiday recipes
    German recipes