Pfeffernüsse Cookies

This pfeffernüsse cookies recipe makes traditional German Christmas cookies spiced with black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg.

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

Ingredients

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

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place molasses, honey, shortening, and margarine in a medium saucepan over medium heat; stir until well combined.

Step 2

Remove from heat and cool to room temperature; beat in eggs.

Step 3

Combine flour, white sugar, brown sugar, anise extract, cinnamon, cardamom, baking soda, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, pepper, and salt together in a large bowl.

Step 4

Add molasses mixture; stir until well combined. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.

Step 5

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Roll dough into acorn-sized balls; place 1 inch apart on baking sheets.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until firm and slightly crackled, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool on the baking sheets briefly; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7

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