Best 4 Gewuerzplaetzchen Traditional German Spice Cookies Recipes

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**Gewürzplätzchen: A Journey Through German Spice Cookies**

If you're looking for a delectable treat that truly embodies the spirit of German Christmas, look no further than Gewürzplätzchen, also lovingly known as German spice cookies. These aromatic cookies are a symphony of flavors and textures, with a delightful combination of warm spices, crunchy nuts, and a hint of citrus. With their intricate shapes and festive decorations, Gewürzplätzchen are a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. In this article, we present you with a collection of traditional German spice cookie recipes that will transport you to the heart of Germany's festive celebrations. From classic Springerle to the intricate Pfeffernüsse, each recipe holds a unique story and a burst of flavor. Let's embark on a culinary journey through the world of Gewürzplätzchen and experience the magic of German Christmas baking.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

GERMAN SPICE COOKIES (PFEFFERNUSSE)



German Spice Cookies (Pfeffernusse) image

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

2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup firmly packed light-brown sugar
1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup whole milk, plus more if needed
1/4 teaspoon kirsch or other cherry-flavored liqueur, optional
Coarsely ground pink peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon luster dust, preferably metallic
1/4 teaspoon kirsch

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.

GERMAN SPICE COOKIES



German Spice Cookies image

These chewy spice cookies are great with coffee and taste even better the next day. The recipe has been a family favorite for more than 40 years.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 20m

Yield 3-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 large eggs
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add the brown sugar, cloves, cinnamon and pepper. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the egg mixture. Stir in raisins and walnuts. , Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 8-10 minutes or until surface cracks. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 190 calories, Fat 4g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 30mg cholesterol, Sodium 105mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (25g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

GEWUERZPLAETZCHEN (TRADITIONAL GERMAN SPICE COOKIES)



Gewuerzplaetzchen (Traditional German Spice Cookies) image

This recipe comes from Dr. Oetker and is very, very good. It gets better and better as the cookies age and the taste is just wonderful. I think these cookies bring instant Christmas spirit to even the most uncheerful person. ;) I hope you like them as much as we do! Note: These need to chill for 1 hour.

Provided by Lalaloula

Categories     Dessert

Time 27m

Yield 48 large cookies

Number Of Ingredients 12

170 g butter
120 g sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla sugar
4 tablespoons milk
250 g flour
50 g almonds, ground
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon, ground
1/2 teaspoon clove, ground
1/2 teaspoon cardamom, ground
2 pinches mace, ground
48 whole almonds, blanched (1 for each cookie)

Steps:

  • In a large bowl knead butter, sugar and vanilla sugar with the dough hooks of your electric mixer until thoroughly combined. Stir in milk.
  • In a second bowl mix flour, ground almonds, baking powder and spices.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and knead into a smooth dough. You might have to get your hands in to finish the job. ;).
  • Form into a log of 30 cm/ 11 inches length and wrap in cling film. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Slice log into 5 mm/0.2 inch thick slices.
  • Place on a paper lined baking sheet and press one almond into the middle of each cookie.
  • Bake in the preheated oven at 180°C/350°F for about 12 minutes or slightly browned around the edges.
  • Leave to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • These will keep for about 3 weeks in an airtight container.

GEWURZPLATZCHEN (SPICE COOKIES)



Gewurzplatzchen (Spice Cookies) image

Make and share this Gewurzplatzchen (Spice Cookies) recipe from Food.com.

Provided by tweetyfan

Categories     Dessert

Time 12m

Yield 4 dozen cookies, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine
1/4 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 large egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 1/2 cups flour, unbleached, unsifted
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon allspice

Steps:

  • Cream butter, shortening, and brown sugar thoroughly.
  • Blend in egg and molasses.
  • Sift together the remaining ingredients.
  • Stir into sugar mixture.
  • Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls.
  • Place 2-inches apart on greased baking sheets.
  • Flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass that has been greased and dipped into sugar.
  • Bake in preheated 350°F for 12-15 minutes.
  • Cool cookies on racks and store in airtight tins.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 595.3, Fat 25.3, SaturatedFat 12.2, Cholesterol 71.7, Sodium 680.5, Carbohydrate 87, Fiber 1.8, Sugar 43.6, Protein 6.7

Tips:

  • To make sure your cookies have the perfect texture and flavor, chill the dough for at least 1 hour before baking.
  • If you don't have any baking spices on hand, you can use a pre-mixed spice blend like pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice.
  • Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can make the cookies tough.
  • If you want your cookies to have a crispy texture, bake them for a few minutes longer.
  • Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
  • You can also freeze the cookies for up to 2 months. To freeze, place the cookies in a single layer in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. When you're ready to serve, thaw the cookies overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for several hours.

Conclusion:

Gewuerzplaetzchen are a delicious and festive German Christmas cookie that are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. They are easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With their warm and spicy flavor, these cookies are the perfect treat to enjoy on a cold winter day. So next time you're looking for a festive and delicious cookie to make, be sure to give Gewuerzplaetzchen a try!

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