Best 6 German Spice Cookies Recipes

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Embark on a delectable journey into the world of German spice cookies, where flavors dance harmoniously on your palate. These traditional treats, known as "Lebkuchen" or "Pfeffernüsse," encapsulate the essence of German baking artistry. With their warm and inviting aroma, they evoke feelings of nostalgia and bring joy to gatherings. Dive into the rich history, explore variations across regions, and discover the secrets behind creating the perfect spice cookie that will captivate your senses.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

GERMAN SPICE COOKIES (PFEFFERNUSSE)



German Spice Cookies (Pfeffernusse) image

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

2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup firmly packed light-brown sugar
1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/3 cup whole milk, plus more if needed
1/4 teaspoon kirsch or other cherry-flavored liqueur, optional
Coarsely ground pink peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon luster dust, preferably metallic
1/4 teaspoon kirsch

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.

GERMAN SPICE COOKIES



German Spice Cookies image

These chewy spice cookies are great with coffee and taste even better the next day. The recipe has been a family favorite for more than 40 years.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 20m

Yield 3-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 large eggs
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, beat eggs. Add the brown sugar, cloves, cinnamon and pepper. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the egg mixture. Stir in raisins and walnuts. , Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 8-10 minutes or until surface cracks. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 190 calories, Fat 4g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 30mg cholesterol, Sodium 105mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (25g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

HOLIDAY LEBKUCHEN (GERMAN SPICE COOKIES)



Holiday Lebkuchen (German Spice Cookies) image

Since my mother's parents came from Nuremberg and Munich, Germany, lebkuchen has been a holiday tradition in my family ever since I was little. We don't like the usual candied citrus peel, however, so I use apricots and dates instead. Great served with hot tea.

Provided by Shae's Mama

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     German

Time 8h55m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 22

2 cups whole almonds
boiling water to cover
⅔ cup chopped dried apricots
8 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
4 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup honey
¼ cup blackstrap molasses
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons almond extract
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
¾ cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons whole milk
1 teaspoon lemon zest

Steps:

  • Cover almonds with boiling water in a bowl. Let stand for 1 to 2 minutes and drain. Rinse with cold water and drain again. Pat almonds dry and remove skin. Allow almonds to dry on paper towels.
  • Place half the almonds in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Add apricots and dates; pulse until fruit is chopped. Reserve remaining 1 cup almonds.
  • Combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, cloves, cardamom, and salt in bowl. Beat eggs, brown sugar, honey, molasses, water, almond extract, orange zest, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add apricot mixture, blending until evenly distributed. Gradually stir in flour mixture on medium speed until dough comes together. Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours to overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to about 1/2-inch thick. Cut out cookies with a 2 1/2 to 3-inch diameter cookie cutter. Arrange cookies about 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  • Lightly press 3 almonds into each cookie with tips towards the center to create a star pattern.
  • Bake in preheated oven until cookies begin to brown, about 12 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool on a wire rack.
  • Meanwhile, whisk confectioners' sugar, milk, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest in a bowl until glaze is smooth. Brush warm cookies with glaze and allow cookies to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 187.7 calories, Carbohydrate 34.7 g, Cholesterol 10.3 mg, Fat 4.5 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 3.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 60.7 mg, Sugar 20.2 g

GERMAN SPICE COOKIES



German Spice Cookies image

A great spice cookie.

Provided by Mikey

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     German

Yield 18

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups ground walnuts
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground coriander seed
¼ teaspoon anise seed
1 ¼ cups shortening
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
2 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate

Steps:

  • In a medium size bowl, combine the flour, walnuts, baking powder, and spices. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, cream the vegetable shortening with the sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Cover and chill for 8 hours or overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
  • On a floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Cut into rounds using a 2-inch round cookie cutter and place 1-1/2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
  • Melt chocolate over low heat and drizzle over cooled cookies.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 348.5 calories, Carbohydrate 35.6 g, Cholesterol 10.3 mg, Fat 21.6 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 4.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.8 g, Sodium 58.9 mg, Sugar 13 g

GERMAN GOSSAMER CRISP SPICE COOKIES



German Gossamer Crisp Spice Cookies image

The paper thin cookies are traditional to northern Europe. "Gossamer" refers to something light and delicate and perfectly describes these crisp cookies.

Provided by Olha7397

Categories     Dessert

Time 40m

Yield 66 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup molasses
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl stir together flour, ginger, apple pie spice, cloves, cardamom, and red pepper; set aside.
  • In a large bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add molasses and brown sugar. Beat until combined. Beat in flour mixture just until combined.
  • Divide dough in half; cover and chill for 1 hour or until easy to handle.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F
  • On a lightly floured surface roll half of the dough at a time to a 1/16 inch thickness. Using a 2-inch round scalloped cutter, cut out dough. Place cutouts 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 5 to 6 minutes or until edges are browned. Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool. Makes about 66.
  • TO STORE: Place in layers separated by waxed paper in an airtight container, cover. Store at room temperature.
  • Better Homes Christmas Cookies.

GEWUERZPLAETZCHEN (TRADITIONAL GERMAN SPICE COOKIES)



Gewuerzplaetzchen (Traditional German Spice Cookies) image

This recipe comes from Dr. Oetker and is very, very good. It gets better and better as the cookies age and the taste is just wonderful. I think these cookies bring instant Christmas spirit to even the most uncheerful person. ;) I hope you like them as much as we do! Note: These need to chill for 1 hour.

Provided by Lalaloula

Categories     Dessert

Time 27m

Yield 48 large cookies

Number Of Ingredients 12

170 g butter
120 g sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla sugar
4 tablespoons milk
250 g flour
50 g almonds, ground
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon, ground
1/2 teaspoon clove, ground
1/2 teaspoon cardamom, ground
2 pinches mace, ground
48 whole almonds, blanched (1 for each cookie)

Steps:

  • In a large bowl knead butter, sugar and vanilla sugar with the dough hooks of your electric mixer until thoroughly combined. Stir in milk.
  • In a second bowl mix flour, ground almonds, baking powder and spices.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and knead into a smooth dough. You might have to get your hands in to finish the job. ;).
  • Form into a log of 30 cm/ 11 inches length and wrap in cling film. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Slice log into 5 mm/0.2 inch thick slices.
  • Place on a paper lined baking sheet and press one almond into the middle of each cookie.
  • Bake in the preheated oven at 180°C/350°F for about 12 minutes or slightly browned around the edges.
  • Leave to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • These will keep for about 3 weeks in an airtight container.

Tips:

  • 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.
  • Be careful not to 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 frosting them. This will help the frosting set properly.

Conclusion:

German spice cookies are a delicious and festive treat that are perfect for the holidays. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a variety of spices to choose from, you can create a unique and flavorful cookie that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a special cookie to bake, give German spice cookies a try. You won't be disappointed!

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