Hey there, cookie lovers!
The holiday season is here, and you know what that means—time for some baking magic!
Today, I’m excited to share a classic recipe: Pfeffernüsse cookies.
These little German treats are spiced to perfection and full of festive flavor.
They’re soft, sweet, and oh-so-perfect for Christmas.
So, grab your mixer, and let’s spread some holiday cheer with these delicious cookies! 🍪✨
| Preparation Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 130-145 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup margarine
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup shortening (I use Crisco)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature for better emulsification)
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 2 tsp anise flavoring (for a traditional taste)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (I always use King Arthur all-purpose flour)
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cardamom (freshly ground preferred for more flavor)
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
For dusting:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Step 1: Prepare the Molasses Mixture
Place 1/2 cup of molasses, 1/2 cup of honey, 1/2 cup of shortening, and 1/2 cup of margarine in a saucepan over medium heat.
Cook and stir the ingredients until they become a smooth, creamy mixture.
Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
Once cooled, beat in 2 eggs until well combined.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup of white sugar, 3/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of anise extract, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Mix these dry ingredients together thoroughly.
Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients and Chill
Add the molasses mixture to the bowl of combined dry ingredients.
Stir until the wet and dry ingredients are thoroughly combined, forming a dough.
Refrigerate the dough until it is well chilled, about 2 hours.
Step 4: Preheat the Oven and Form Dough Balls
Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
Once the dough is chilled, roll it into acorn-sized balls.
Place the dough balls 1 inch apart on baking sheets to allow for spreading during baking.
Step 5: Bake and Cool the Cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven until they are firm to the touch with slight cracking on the surface, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Cool the cookies briefly on the baking sheets before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 6: Dust and Store
Once the cookies have cooled completely, dust them with confectioners’ sugar for a sweet finish.
Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
