Best 2 Pepper Nuts Pfeffernusse Recipes

Pfeffernusse, also known as pepper nuts, are traditional German Christmas cookies. These small, round cookies are made with a combination of flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and pepper. The dough is often flavored with citrus zest or Kirschwasser, a cherry brandy. After being baked, pfeffernusse are typically rolled in a mixture of powdered sugar and cinnamon or vanilla sugar. Their unique flavor and festive appearance make them a popular holiday treat enjoyed throughout the Christmas season.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

MOMMY SUGAR'S PEPPER NUTS (PFEFFERNUSSE-PEBERNODDER)

Mommy Sugar's Pepper Nuts (Pfeffernusse-Pebernodder) image

From gingerbread to Linzer, German cookies are world famous and really special. These Pfeffernusse are no different. They're filled with fall spices, chopped pecans and a bit of citrus flavor from the orange zest and citron. Molasses gives the pepper nut cookie a wonderfully chewy texture. Typically these old-fashioned cookies...

Provided by Beth Carlton

Categories Cookies

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

2-1/2 c cane sugar
4 large eggs, beaten
1/2 c molasses
4 c plain all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp nutmeg (optional)
1 tsp fresh orange zest
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 pkg 4 oz candied citron
1 c nuts (pecans or walnuts)

Steps:

1. With a heavy duty mixer, blend together eggs and sugar. Beat until creamy.
2. Add molasses, vanilla, and orange zest. Beat 3-4 minutes on medium speed until well blended.
3. Measure 4 level cups of plain flour and reserve 1/2 cup for later. Sift together remaining 3-1/2 cups plain flour, baking powder, and spices.
4. In a bowl, coat candied citron and nuts with the reserved 1/2 cup of plain flour.
5. Slowly add flour and spice mixture to batter and blend on fold/low speed just until blended.
6. Gently fold in citron & nuts. Dough will be very thick and sticky.
7. Place dough in air tight container and refrigerate overnight. This allows your spices to combine together for maximum spiciness! :)
8. Roll dough out onto floured surface.
9. Cut out with cookie cutters OR drop by rounded spoonfuls and flatten out. Decorate as desired.
10. Place on a cookie-sheet coated with cooking spray or parchment paper.
11. Bake 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Edges should be slightly browned.

PEPPER NUTS PFEFFERNUSSE

Pepper Nuts Pfeffernusse image

Whether called Pfeffernusse in Germany, Pebernodder in Denmark or Peppernotter in Sweden, these spicy drop cookies are found throughout Northern Europe at Christmas time.

Provided by Olha7397

Categories Dessert

Time 40m

Yield 9 doz

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

3 eggs
3/4 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
3/4 cup white sugar
1 grated lemon, rind of
1 tablespoon finely minced citron (optional)
1 tablespoon finely minced candied orange peel (optional)
1/2 cup grated blanched almond
2 1/2 cups flour, approximately
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon powdered clove
1/2 teaspoon powdered allspice
1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
1/2 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
rum or brandy
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon vanilla or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon rum (optional) or 1 teaspoon brandy (optional)
1/2 tablespoon hot water, to 1 1/4 tablespoons

Steps:

FOR THE PFEFFERNUSSE: Beat eggs with both sugars until mixture is very thick and almost white. Add lemon rind, fruit, peel, and almonds and mix well. Sift flour with baking powder and spices and stir into egg mixture.
Knead on a floured board until smooth. Shape into long rolls about 1 inch in diameter and cut into 1/2 to 3/4 inch slices. Arrange on 3 or 4 large buttered cookie sheets and let DRY uncovered in a cool room or refrigerator overnight.
Just before baking, turn over each cookie and sprinkle with rum, brandy, or arrack.
Bake in preheated 300°F oven for about 20 minutes.
Roll each cookie in confectioner's sugar while warm, or let cool and ice.
These last for weeks if stored in an airtight container. Makes about 9 dozen cookies.
VARIATION: Any of spices mentioned are optional and to taste. Candied fruits are usually omitted in Scandinavia and 1 1/2 teaspoons powdered ginger is substituted for pepper.
In Pennsylvania Dutch country this dough (Pefferniss) is allowed to ripe at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, after which it is shaped into rolls, chilled and cut as described. It is then baked without being dried.
FOR THE WHITE SUGAR GLAZE: For cookies and cakes, and especially for Lebkuchen.
Combine sugar, cornstarch, flavoring and rum or brandy. Gradually stir in hot water, a tablespoonful at a time, until you have a smooth thick paste. Spread on warm cookies. If mixture cools and thickens as you work, thin with additional hot water. Sugar sprinkles can be scattered on the glaze before it hardens. Makes 1/4 cup, or enough to ice about fifteen 1 1/2 inch cookies.
Visions Of Sugarplums.

Tips:

Use fresh ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better the pfeffernusse will taste. This is especially true for the spices, which can lose their flavor over time.
Don't overwork the dough: Overworking the dough will make the pfeffernusse tough. Mix the dough just until it comes together, then stop.
Chill the dough before baking: Chilling the dough will help the pfeffernusse hold their shape and prevent them from spreading too much in the oven.
Bake the pfeffernusse until they are just set: Overbaking the pfeffernusse will make them dry and crumbly. Bake them just until they are set in the center, then remove them from the oven.
Roll the pfeffernusse in powdered sugar: Rolling the pfeffernusse in powdered sugar will give them a festive look and help to prevent them from sticking together.

Conclusion:

Pfeffernusse are a delicious and festive holiday cookie that is easy to make. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a batch of pfeffernusse that will be enjoyed by all. So what are you waiting for? Get baking!