Pfeffernusse cookies are a beloved treat that brings the rich, warm flavors of the holiday season to your kitchen. These traditional German spice cookies are infused with molasses, honey, and a medley of aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg. Dust them with powdered sugar for a delightful finish, and enjoy their crisp yet soft texture perfect for gifting or holiday parties.
Ingredients:
½ cup molasses
¼ cup honey
¼ cup shortening
2 large eggs
¼ cup margarine
4 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons anise extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1½ teaspoons ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup confectioners’ sugar for dusting
Directions:
Prepare the Molasses Mixture:
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine molasses, honey, shortening, and margarine. Cook and stir until the mixture is creamy. Remove from heat and allow it to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, beat in the eggs.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, white sugar, brown sugar, anise extract, cinnamon, cardamom, baking soda, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, black pepper, and salt.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Add the cooled molasses mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined.
Chill the Dough:
Refrigerate the dough for about 2 hours to ensure it becomes firm and easy to handle.
Form the Cookies:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Roll the dough into acorn-sized balls and place them about 1 inch apart on baking sheets.
Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cookies are firm to the touch with slight cracking on top. Let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Finish with Powdered Sugar:
Once the cookies have cooled, dust them generously with confectioners’ sugar before serving.
Serving Tips:
Perfect for Gifting: These cookies are beautifully dusted with powdered sugar, making them a lovely gift for the holiday season. Place them in a festive tin or box for a charming presentation.
Pair with Beverages: Pfeffernusse cookies pair wonderfully with a cup of hot tea, mulled wine, or coffee. The warmth of the beverages complements the spices in the cookies, enhancing their flavor.
Holiday Cookie Platter: These cookies are a great addition to a holiday cookie platter. Combine them with other seasonal treats like gingerbread, sugar cookies, or chocolate-covered pretzels for a diverse spread.
Storage Tips:
Room Temperature: Store the cooled Pfeffernusse cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. This will keep them fresh and maintain their soft yet crisp texture.
Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze Pfeffernusse cookies. Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until firm. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag, where they can be stored for up to 3 months.
Refreshing After Freezing: To refresh the frozen cookies, let them thaw at room temperature for 10–15 minutes, and then lightly dust with more powdered sugar for that fresh, holiday look.
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FAQs:
Can I make Pfeffernusse cookies ahead of time?
Yes, Pfeffernusse cookies can be made ahead of time! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking. Alternatively, you can bake the cookies and store them in an airtight container for up to a week. They also freeze well, allowing you to prepare them in advance for the holidays.
How can I prevent Pfeffernusse cookies from spreading too much while baking?
To avoid excessive spreading, make sure your dough is well-chilled before baking. Chilling the dough helps it firm up, making it easier to shape the dough into balls and preventing the cookies from flattening too much during baking. If needed, you can chill the dough for even longer than the recommended 2 hours.
Can I substitute ingredients in this Pfeffernusse recipe?
Yes, you can make some substitutions if needed. You can replace the margarine with butter for a richer flavor, or use vegetable oil instead of shortening. For the spices, feel free to adjust the quantities of cinnamon, cloves, and ginger based on your preferences. However, keep in mind that the balance of spices is what gives these cookies their signature flavor.
Why do I need to dust Pfeffernusse cookies with powdered sugar?
Dusting Pfeffernusse cookies with powdered sugar not only adds a festive touch but also helps balance the bold spices in the cookies with a sweet finish. The powdered sugar gives the cookies a classic look and a delicate sweetness, enhancing the overall flavor experience.
Conclusion:
Pfeffernusse cookies are a delightful holiday treat with a rich blend of spices and a sweet molasses base. Perfect for gifting or adding to your holiday cookie platter, these traditional German cookies are sure to be a festive hit. With their aromatic flavors and powdered sugar dusting, they offer a delicious taste of the season.
📖 Recipe:
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Pfeffernusse Cookies
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Pfeffernusse cookies are traditional German spice cookies made with molasses, honey, and a blend of aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Perfect for the holiday season, these festive cookies are soft yet crispy and dusted with powdered sugar for a sweet, delightful finish. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or gifting these cookies to loved ones, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
½ cup molasses
¼ cup honey
¼ cup shortening
¼ cup margarine
2 large eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup white sugar
½ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons anise extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1½ teaspoons ground cardamom
1½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup confectioners’ sugar for dusting
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine molasses, honey, shortening, and margarine. Cook and stir until the mixture is creamy. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Beat in the eggs.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, white sugar, brown sugar, anise extract, cinnamon, cardamom, baking soda, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, black pepper, and salt.
- Add the molasses mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate dough for about 2 hours until chilled.
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Roll dough into acorn-sized balls and place 1 inch apart on baking sheets.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes or until firm with slight cracking on top. Let cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
Be sure to chill the dough for at least 2 hours for the best results. This helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
You can substitute margarine with butter or shortening if needed.
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months.
The powdered sugar dusting adds a festive touch and balances the bold spices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Holiday Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German, Traditional Holiday
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 36 cookies
- Calories: 120 kcal per serving (1 cookie)
