Pfeffernuesse, or peppery gingerbread, is a traditional German Christmas cookie that is known for its distinctively spicy flavor. The cookies are made with a combination of spices, including black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, which give them a unique and unforgettable taste. Pfeffernuesse are typically small, round cookies with a crispy exterior and a soft, chewy interior. They are often rolled in powdered sugar before serving, giving them a delicate sweetness that balances out the spiciness of the cookie.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
PFEFFERNUSSE COOKIES
I have searched far and wide for a recipe that mimics my favorite, store-bought version of these cookies. I think, after days of thrown-out cookies, I have come as close as I can get.
Provided by Thebeansma
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European German
Time 3h
Yield 18
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Stir together the molasses, honey, shortening, and margarine in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir until creamy. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Stir in the eggs.
- Combine the flour, white sugar, brown sugar, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, anise, cinnamon, baking soda, pepper, and salt in a large bowl. Add the molasses mixture and stir until thoroughly combines. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Roll the dough into acorn-sized balls. Arrange on baking sheets, spacing at least 1 inch apart.
- Bake in preheated oven 10 to 15 minutes. Move to a rack to cool. Dust cooled cookies with confectioners' sugar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 284 calories, Carbohydrate 53.9 g, Cholesterol 20.7 mg, Fat 6.3 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 3.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Sodium 212.8 mg, Sugar 30.2 g
PFEFFERNUSSE
How to make authentic Pfeffernusse! These traditional German iced gingerbread cookies are made with white pepper, cinnamon, and are a classic Holiday treat.
Provided by Julia Foerster
Categories Cookie
Time P1DT32m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a measuring jug, combine flour and baking soda. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, combine butter, honey, brown sugar, cloves, all-spice, cinnamon, and finely ground white pepper. Bring to a boil, then take off the heat and quickly stir flour into the mixture.
- Let the dough cool to room temperature, then form into a ball and wrap with plastic wrap. Let sit in a cool space for at least overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Divide dough into four parts and roll each into a 1/2-inch thick log. Cut each log into 8 pieces and roll them into a small ball. Place balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Bake in the lover half of the oven for 10-12 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately transfer cookies to a cooling rack. Let cookies cool to room temperature.
- To make the glaze: In a medium bowl, beat egg white with 1 tablespoon of honey. Gradually sift in 1 cup powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Dip cookies in the glaze then place on a rack set up over a baking sheet until coating hardens.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 86 kcal, Carbohydrate 16 g, Protein 1 g, Fat 2 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 6 mg, Sodium 20 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 10 g, ServingSize 1 serving
PFEFFERNUESSE (PEPPERY GINGERBREAD)
These little spicy gingerbreads bring out the wonderful flavours of pepper, ginger, and anise. Soft inside and crunchy outside with a touch of lemon glaze. Pfeffernüsse contain much freshly ground pepper, but don't reduce the amount, because the pepperiness makes the difference. In the past pepper was one of the most expensive spices and to use much pepper was a sign of wealth. Nowadays pepper is often used in advent and Christmas bakery throughout Europe. Pfeffernüsse are so easy to make, yet so tasty, and are a typical German christmas cookie.
Provided by Thorsten
Categories Dessert
Time 1h15m
Yield 48 cookies
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Mix flour and baking soda and set aside.
- Bring butter, dark molasses, sugar, and spices in a pot to a boil and remove from heat.
- Add flour at once and stir in quickly.
- Let dough cool down. Then wrap into cling film and put into the fridge. Leave it there overnight.
- On the next day: The dough should be very firm. Halve it with a knife. Set one half aside for the moment. Divide the halved dough into 8 pieces. Each of the 8 pieces divide into 3 little pieces (they should have almost the size of nuts).
- First knead the little pieces of dough, so that they get a little waxier. Then roll them between your hands to form a little ball. Place them on a plate and put in the fridge. Do the same with the second half of the dough.
- Let the dough balls rest in the fridge for one hour.
- Meanwhile preheat oven (360 F, 180 C). Line out two baking trays with baking paper. Take the dough balls out of the fridge and put them on the baking tray.
- Put baking tray into the lower third of the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Cookies will flatten a bit and should be golden. They are still soft.
- Put them on a cooling rack and let the them cool completely.
- While the first batch is baking do the same as described above with the second half of dough.
- Mix powdered sugar with as little lime juice as possible to form a glaze. The glaze should be pasty, so use as much lime juice you need to get this consistency. Decorate the Pfeffernüsse with the glaze. I use an icing bag with a very small opening to decorate the Pfeffernüsse with the pasty glaze.
- Store the Pfeffernüsse between layers of parchment paper in an airtight container. You can store them in a dry and not too warm place for about 4 weeks.
- NOTE: I use anise seeds and ground them freshly. The anise flavour will be more intense.
- Cooking time does not include time for cooling (overnight and additional 1 hour). Passive work (baking) time is for 1 baking tray.
PFEFFERNUESSE
Pronounced (feff-er-noos), this is a great holiday cookie. My friends and family say it tastes like a gingerbread cookie. Lol.
Provided by pastryduchess88
Categories Dessert
Time 40m
Yield 240 cookies, 30 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- 1. In a small saucepan combine molasses and butter. Cook and stir over low heat until butter melts; remove from heat. Pour into a large bowl and cool at room temperature.
- 2. In a medium bowl stir together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, cardamom, allspice, and pepper; set flour mixture aside.
- 3. Stir egg into cool molasses mixture. Gradually stir in flour mixture until combined, kneading in the last of the flour mixture by hand.
- 4. Divide dough into 12 portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a rope about 10 inches long. Cut ropes into 1/2 inch pieces. Place pieces 1/2 inch apart in an ungreased shallow baking pan. Bake in a 350 F oven for about 10 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are lightly browned. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 69.8, Fat 1.8, SaturatedFat 1, Cholesterol 11.1, Sodium 37.2, Carbohydrate 12.4, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 4.9, Protein 1.1
PFEFFERNUSSE
These nut-sized cookies are spiced with ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and pepper. They are called Pepperkaker, in Norway.
Provided by Kristi
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European German
Yield 96
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Combine dry ingredients and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Stir in dry ingredients 1/2 cup at a time. Add almonds, if desired.
- Roll into one inch balls and arrange 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 11 to 14 minutes.
- Cool and store in airtight containers for 3 days to mellow flavors.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 50.7 calories, Carbohydrate 7.1 g, Cholesterol 7.7 mg, Fat 2.2 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 0.9 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 42.4 mg, Sugar 2.9 g
Tips:
- Plan Ahead: Pfefferneusse dough needs to chill for at least 2 hours, so plan ahead to allow enough time for chilling.
- Use Fresh Spices: Freshly ground spices provide the best flavor, so use freshly ground black pepper, ginger, and cinnamon.
- Chill the Dough Well: Chilling the dough helps it hold its shape better after baking.
- Don't Overmix the Dough: Overmixing the dough can make the cookies tough, so mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Roll the Dough Thin: Rolling the dough thin helps the cookies bake evenly.
- Bake the Cookies Until Set: The cookies should be baked until they are set, but not overbaked, or they will be dry.
- Let the Cookies Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool completely before storing them, or they will become soft and sticky.
Conclusion:
Pfeffernüsse are a delicious and festive holiday cookie that are easy to make. With a few simple tips, you can make perfect pfeffernüsse that will be enjoyed by everyone. These cookies are perfect for gift-giving, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying at home with your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a holiday baking project, give pfeffernüsse a try!
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