German Spice Cookies

This recipe for a traditional German Christmas cookie makes a great spice cookie with ginger, cloves, coriander, and anise.

• Calories: 349 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 cup white sugar
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 cups ground walnuts
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground coriander seed
• ¼ teaspoon anise seed
• 1 ¼ cups shortening
• 2 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).

Step 2

In a medium size bowl, combine the flour, walnuts, baking powder, and spices. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large bowl, cream the vegetable shortening with the sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Cover and chill for 8 hours or overnight.

Step 4

On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Cut into rounds using a 2-inch round cookie cutter and place 1-1/2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

Step 5

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Step 6

Melt chocolate over low heat and drizzle over cooled cookies.