Best 2 Glazed Pfeffernuesse Recipes
Pfeffernüsse are delightful German Christmas cookies from the Middle Ages, traditionally flavored with black pepper and anise. Originating in the medieval city of Nürnberg, these bite-sized treats are known for their unique blend of spices; they also commonly include cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger. This recipe collection offers two methods for creating these classic holiday cookies: a traditional dough that's shaped into small balls and coated in powdered sugar, and a newer version that utilizes a cookie press to form intricate shapes before being glazed with a sweet mixture of powdered sugar, lemon juice, and kirschwasser, a cherry brandy. With step-by-step instructions, baking and cooling times, and nutritional information, this comprehensive guide ensures success in creating these iconic holiday treats.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
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.
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start baking, measure and prepare all of your ingredients. This will help you stay organized and avoid any scrambling later on.
- Use Freshly Ground Spices: Freshly ground spices will give your pfeffernuesse a more intense flavor. If you don't have a spice grinder, you can use pre-ground spices, but be sure to use them sparingly.
- Don't Overmix the Dough: Overmixing the dough will make your pfeffernuesse tough. Mix the dough just until it comes together.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough before baking will help it keep its shape and prevent it from spreading too much.
- Bake the Pfeffernuesse Until They Are Golden Brown: The pfeffernuesse should be baked until they are golden brown on the outside and firm to the touch.
- Let the Pfeffernuesse Cool Completely Before Glazing: This will help the glaze set properly.
- Use a Variety of Glazes: You can use a variety of glazes to decorate your pfeffernuesse. Some popular options include powdered sugar glaze, chocolate glaze, and maple glaze.
Conclusion:
Pfeffernuesse are a delicious and festive holiday cookie that is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make these cookies at home. So gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to bake some pfeffernuesse!
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