Indulge in the timeless holiday tradition of baking Pfeffernüsse, the quintessential German Christmas cookies. These bite-sized treats, also known as "pepper nuts," are renowned for their distinctively spiced flavor and unique peppery notes. Originating in the medieval city of Nuremberg, Pfeffernüsse have captivated taste buds for centuries, becoming an integral part of festive gatherings and cherished family memories. This comprehensive guide unveils the secrets behind these delectable cookies, presenting a curated collection of recipes that cater to diverse dietary preferences and skill levels. From classic Pfeffernüsse embracing traditional ingredients to gluten-free and vegan variations, each recipe is meticulously crafted to ensure that everyone can savor the magic of these beloved holiday treats.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
PFEFFERNUSSE
How to make authentic Pfeffernusse! These traditional German iced gingerbread cookies are made with white pepper, cinnamon, and are a classic Holiday treat.
Provided by Julia Foerster
Categories Cookie
Time P1DT32m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a measuring jug, combine flour and baking soda. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine butter, honey, brown sugar, cloves, all-spice, cinnamon, and finely ground white pepper. Bring to a boil, then take off the heat and quickly stir flour into the mixture.
- Let the dough cool to room temperature, then form into a ball and wrap with plastic wrap. Let sit in a cool space for at least overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Divide dough into four parts and roll each into a 1/2-inch thick log. Cut each log into 8 pieces and roll them into a small ball. Place balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Bake in the lover half of the oven for 10-12 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately transfer cookies to a cooling rack. Let cookies cool to room temperature.
- To make the glaze: In a medium bowl, beat egg white with 1 tablespoon of honey. Gradually sift in 1 cup powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Dip cookies in the glaze then place on a rack set up over a baking sheet until coating hardens.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 86 kcal, Carbohydrate 16 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 2 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 6 mg, Sodium 20 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 10 g, ServingSize 1 serving
PFEFFERNUSSE COOKIES
I have searched far and wide for a recipe that mimics my favorite, store-bought version of these cookies. I think, after days of thrown-out cookies, I have come as close as I can get.
Provided by Thebeansma
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European German
Time 3h
Yield 18
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Stir together the 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. Stir in the eggs.
- Combine the flour, white sugar, brown sugar, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, anise, cinnamon, baking soda, pepper, and salt in a large bowl. Add the molasses mixture and stir until thoroughly combines. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Roll the dough into acorn-sized balls. Arrange on baking sheets, spacing at least 1 inch apart.
- Bake in preheated oven 10 to 15 minutes. Move to a rack to cool. Dust cooled cookies with confectioners' sugar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 284 calories, Carbohydrate 53.9 g, Cholesterol 20.7 mg, Fat 6.3 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 3.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Sodium 212.8 mg, Sugar 30.2 g
GERMAN SPICE COOKIES (PFEFFERNUSSE)
German for "pepper nut," pfeffernusse cookies are named for the pinch of pepper added to the dough before baking. It joins a quartet of warm spices -- cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cookie Recipes
Yield Makes about 60
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Cookies: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line three baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and spices. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together butter, brown sugar, and molasses on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture; beat until just combined. Pinch off a heaping teaspoon of dough, roll into a ball, and place on a prepared baking sheet. Repeat process with remaining dough, spacing balls 1 1/2 inches apart. (Dough can be frozen at this point, covered tightly with plastic wrap, up to 1 month.)
- Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until cookies are golden and firm to the touch with slight cracking, about 15 minutes. Transfer sheets to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Glaze: Fit a rimmed baking sheet with a wire rack. In a medium bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar, milk, and kirsch, if desired. Using a fork, dip each cookie in glaze to coat. Tap to remove excess glaze and place on wire rack to dry. Repeat with remaining cookies.
- To decorate: While the glaze is still wet, top cookies with a small pinch of peppercorns, if desired. Alternatively, let glaze dry completely before mixing together luster dust and kirsch with a small paintbrush. Lightly brush tops of cookies with luster dust mixture, if desired. Let dry before serving. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 weeks.
GLAZED PFEFFERNUESSE
Our version of the classic German cookie is nice to have on hand throughout the holiday season. They stay fresh-and become more intense in flavor-when stored in an airtight container for weeks. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h25m
Yield about 10 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the molasses, water and extract. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt and spices; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in nuts. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. , Roll dough into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. , Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla. Place additional confectioners' sugar in another shallow bowl. Remove cookies to wire racks; cool 5 minutes. Dip tops of warm cookies in glaze and allow excess to drip off; dip in confectioners' sugar. Cool completely on wire racks. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 74 calories, Fat 3g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 32mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.
PFEFFERNUESSE COOKIES
A German holiday tradition, these fragrant cookies pack a warm rush of spices in every bite. Also called peppernuts, they go wonderfully with coffee or tea.-Joanne Nelson, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 50m
Yield 10 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- In a small saucepan, combine molasses, honey, butter and shortening. Cook and stir over medium heat until melted. Remove from heat; cool to room temperature. Stir in eggs and extract., Combine flour, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, pepper and salt. Gradually add molasses mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight., Preheat oven to 325°. Roll dough into 1-in. balls. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove cookies to wire racks. Roll warm cookies in confectioners' sugar. Cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 42 calories, Fat 1g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 31mg sodium, Carbohydrate 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.
Tips:
- To make the dough easier to work with, chill it for at least 30 minutes before rolling and cutting.
- If the dough is too sticky, add more flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it is no longer sticky.
- To make the pfeffernüsse more festive, decorate them with sprinkles, chopped nuts, or dried fruit before baking.
- Store the pfeffernüsse in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Conclusion:
Pfeffernüsse are a delicious and festive holiday cookie that is easy to make at home. With their combination of spices and nuts, they are sure to be a hit with family and friends. So next time you're looking for a holiday baking project, give pfeffernüsse a try!
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