Pfefferkuchen

Pfefferkuchen (pepper cake) is a German spice cookie similar to gingerbread. It includes molasses, anise, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon.

• Preparation Time: 60 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
• Calories: 86 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground anise seed
• 0.75 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1.5 cups white sugar
• 0.5 cup butter, cut into pieces
• 0.25 cup cocoa powder
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 0.75 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1.5 cups honey
• 1.5 cups molasses
• 1.5 teaspoons grated lemon zest

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Bring molasses, honey, and sugar to a simmer in a large saucepan over medium heat, then remove from heat and cool for 30 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in butter, lemon zest, anise, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom. Dissolve baking soda in water, then stir into molasses mixture. Sift 6 cups flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder together into a large bowl. Stir in molasses mixture and eggs until smooth. Stir in remaining 3 cups flour until a stiff dough formed.

Step 4

Divide dough into 4 pieces (to make it more manageable). Roll dough on a well floured surface to 1/4-inch thick; cut into shapes with a cookie cutter. Transfer to ungreased baking sheets.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned around the edges, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.