Pfeffernusse Cookies: A Journey into Exquisite German Holiday Baking
Pfeffernusse, a traditional German Christmas cookie, enchants the senses with its distinctive peppery flavor and aromatic spices. These bite-sized treats, also known as pfefferkuchen or pfeffermuskat, are a beloved part of holiday celebrations in Germany and beyond. Our collection of pfeffernusse recipes offers a delightful variety, showcasing the diverse culinary heritage of this classic cookie. Discover the secrets to creating these delectable morsels, from the traditional German recipe with its blend of warm spices and citrus zest to creative variations that add a unique touch. Whether you prefer soft and chewy cookies, crispy and crunchy ones, or those adorned with a sweet glaze, our recipes cater to every taste. Embark on a culinary adventure and experience the joy of baking these festive pfeffernusse cookies, filling your home with the irresistible aromas of the holiday season.
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.
PFEFFERNUSSE (GERMAN PEPPER NUT COOKIES )
This is from Williams Sonoma and it has been a family favorite for years. It is a great twist on Gingerbread cookies.
Provided by Zookeenee
Categories Dessert
Time 59m
Yield 24 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, salt, pepper, aniseeds, cinnamon, baking soda, allspice, nutmeg and cloves.
- In a large bowl, using an electic mixer set on medium speed, beat together the butter, brown sugar and molasses until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
- Beat in the egg.
- Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture.
- Cover and refrigerate for several hours.
- Position a rack in the middle of an oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
- Butter 2 baking sheets, scoop up pieces of dough and roll between your palms into balls 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
- Place the balls on the cookie sheets spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake until the cookies are golden brown on the bottom and firm to the touch, about 14 minutes.
- Transfer the baking sheets to racks and let the cookies cool slightly on the sheets.
- Place the confectioners' sugar in a sturdy paper bag, drop a few cookies into the bag, close the top securely, and shake gently to coat the warm cookies with the sugar.
- Transfer to racks and let cool completely.
- Repeat with the remaining cookies.
- Store in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
CHRISTMAS PFEFFERNUSSE COOKIES
I got this delicious German spice cookie recipe from a local newspaper. Instead of using light molasses like the recipe calls for, I use regular molasses beacause I like the darker color.
Provided by Cupcake-Princess
Categories Dessert
Time 22m
Yield 24-30 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, salt, baking soda, pepper, aniseeds, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves, set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed cream butter, sugar, and molasses until fluffy. Beat in egg. On low speed gradually add flour mixture and beat just until blended. Cover and chill dough for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease baking sheets. Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch sized balls. Place balls two inches apart onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes.
- When cookies are cool enough to handle, but still warm roll in powdered sugar. Transfer cookies to cooling racks to cool completley.
PEPPERNUTS COOKIES (PFEFFERNUSSE)
These are a German Christmas Cookie. My husband had this recipe when I met him & I have been making them for about 30 years now. They are a small, hard cookie & are great! You form these into rolls about as big around as a dime & chill, then slice thin & bake. I usually make about 1000 of these to put in Christmas goodies boxes.
Provided by Peggi Anne Tebben
Categories Other Desserts
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- 1. Cream sugars and shortening well.
- 2. Mix in anise oil and egg.
- 3. Add coffee solution.
- 4. Add salt and spices to 1 cup of flour and sift.
- 5. Mix into batter.
- 6. Add ground pecans and enough of the remaining flour to make a stiff dough. *I've never had to use more than 6 cups of flour.
- 7. Roll into dime-size rolls, place on tray and chill.
- 8. Cut thin, spread on baking sheet and bake at 325° to 350° for 10 minutes or until hard.
PFEFFERNUSSE COOKIES II
A pfeffernusse cookie that can be cut into round shapes. Great at Christmas.
Provided by JJOHN32
Categories Desserts Specialty Dessert Recipes Liqueur Dessert Recipes Brandy
Yield 60
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Combine flour, baking powder, spices and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat the sugar and eggs until thick and light-colored. Beat in the lemon juice. Beat in the lemon zest. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Stir in the hazelnuts. Cover and chill for 4 hours.
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Using a 1 1/2 inch round cookie cutter, cut out cookies and place 1 inch apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Cover the baking sheets with clean towels and leave undisturbed for 4 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Turn the cookies over and place a drop of brandy in the center of each cookie. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly colored. Transfer to wire racks to cool.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 43.3 calories, Carbohydrate 8.3 g, Cholesterol 9.3 mg, Fat 0.7 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Sodium 21.5 mg, Sugar 3.4 g
PFEFFERNUSSE COOKIES
Steps:
- Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon, mace, and pepper together. Beat eggs until light, beat in sugar until very light and fluffy. Mix in lemon peel and citron. Stir in dry ingredients. Break off small pieces of dough, and roll into 1 inch balls. Place cookies about 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheets and cover with wax paper. Let stand over night. Heat oven to 350. Bake 20 minutes and transfer to wire rack to cool. Roll in 10 x sugar to coat. Store in tightly covered container at least one week to mellow before eating.
Tips for Perfect Pfeffernusse Cookies:
- Chill the dough before baking: This will help the cookies hold their shape and prevent them from spreading too much.
- Use a cookie press: This is the easiest way to get evenly shaped cookies.
- Don't overbake the cookies: They should be slightly soft in the center when you take them out of the oven.
- Let the cookies cool completely before storing them: This will help them keep their shape and flavor.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container: This will help them stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.
Conclusion:
Pfeffernusse cookies are a delicious and festive holiday treat. They are easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With their unique flavor and texture, these cookies are sure to be a hit at your next holiday party.
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