Pfeffernusse Cookies

Pfeffernüsse are German Christmas cookies spiced with black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, and other spices. I have searched far and wide for a recipe that mimics my favorite, store-bought version of these cookies. After days of thrown-out cookies, I think I have come as close as I can get.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 284 Calories

Ingredients

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

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Step 2

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.

Step 3

Roll dough into acorn-sized balls and place 1 inch apart on baking sheets.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

Dust cooled cookies with confectioners' sugar. Store in an airtight container.

Step 6

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.