Pfeffernuesse Cookies

Name: Pfeffernuesse Cookies
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 10 dozen.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup molasses; 1/4 cup honey; 1/4 cup butter, cubed; 1/4 cup shortening; 2 large eggs; 1-1/2 teaspoons anise extract; 4 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup sugar; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1 teaspoon ground cardamom; 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 teaspoon ground cloves; 3/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup confectioners' sugar

A German holiday tradition, these fragrant cookies pack a warm rush of spices in every bite. Also called peppernuts, they go wonderfully with coffee or tea.—Joanne Nelson, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup shortening
2 large eggs
1-1/2 teaspoons anise extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine molasses, honey, butter and shortening. Cook and stir over medium heat until melted. Remove from heat; cool to room temperature. Stir in eggs and extract.
Combine flour, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, pepper and salt. Gradually add molasses mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 325°. Roll dough into 1-in. balls. Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove cookies to wire racks. Roll warm cookies in confectioners' sugar. Cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 42 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 31mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.

Originally published as Pfeffernusse Cookies in Country Woman December/January 2013

Reviews

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Average Rating:

Thomas

Dec 21, 2018

real pfeffernaus cookies have seeded muscat raisins and walnuts.
Chargett

Sep 22, 2017

I so would have loved to make these cookies from my mother, but, $12.50 for 1 oz of ground cardamom, it would be cheaper to go to the grocery store and pay $3.99 for 12 cookies and say "here Mom". . .
Psalm127-3

Dec 24, 2016

oh heck yah I'll be making these BUT, being Norwegian we bump up the spices even more-can't wait.I was very disappointed with the molasses cookies I made and the ginger snaps as well. this seems sure to be a sure fire pleaser.
Deester

Nov 22, 2015

Have made these the past couple years and everyone raved about them!
booandollie

Oct 23, 2013

I thought the spices were good in this cookie but they failed to impress me, they were more like a molasses/spice cookie. I will go back to the recipe I've always used & won't make these again.