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)