Best 8 Traditional Pfefferneusse Recipes

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Welcome to the realm of pfefferneusse, a timeless holiday treat originating from Germany that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to a realm of festive cheer. These bite-sized morsels of joy, often adorned with powdered sugar, boast a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more. With their crispy exteriors and soft, chewy interiors, pfefferneusse embody the spirit of the season, making them a cherished tradition in many households. Whether you prefer them as a sweet addition to your holiday gatherings or as a thoughtful gift for loved ones, this guide will lead you on a culinary adventure to discover the secrets behind crafting the perfect pfefferneusse.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

TRADITIONAL PFEFFERNUESSE



Traditional Pfeffernuesse image

Tiny anise-flavored spice nuggets are a Christmas tradition in many families of German heritage.

Provided by Land O'Lakes

Yield 36 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/2 cup Land O Lakes® Butter softened
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup mild flavor molasses
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
1 large Land O Lakes® Egg
1 teaspoon anise extract
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Powdered sugar or sugar, if desired

Steps:

  • Combine butter, sugar, brown sugar, and molasses in bowl; beat at medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until creamy.
  • Combine water and coffee granules in another bowl; stir until dissolved. Add coffee mixture and all remaining ingredients except flour; continue beating until well mixed. Add flour; beat at low speed until well mixed. Cover; refrigerate at least 30 minutes until firm.
  • Heat oven to 350°F.
  • Divide dough into 10 portions (about 1/4 cup dough each). Roll 1 portion at a time into 18x1/2-inch rope on lightly floured surface. Cut each rope into 1/2-inch pieces with sharp knife. Place pieces 1/2 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 8-9 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and cookies are set.
  • Place waxed paper on top of cooling racks. Loosen cookies with spatula; spread onto waxed paper. Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar or sugar, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 80 calories, Fat 3 grams, SaturatedFat grams, Transfat grams, Cholesterol 15 milligrams, Sodium 60 milligrams, Carbohydrate 11 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Sugar grams, Protein 1 grams

TRADITIONAL PFEFFERNEUSSE



Traditional Pfefferneusse image

Family recipe for German peppernuts. Small, dense spice cookies that are tantalizing when dipped in coffee, or great on their own. This is the traditional version with molasses.

Provided by DANICASB

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     German

Time 27m

Yield 48

Number Of Ingredients 12

½ cup shortening
¾ cup packed brown sugar
½ cup molasses
3 drops anise oil
1 egg
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon hot water
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
⅛ teaspoon white pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • In a medium bowl, cream together the shortening and brown sugar until smooth. Mix in molasses, anise oil, and egg. Dissolve baking soda in hot water, and stir into the mixture. Combine the flour, salt, cinnamon, ginger and white pepper; blend into the molasses mixture until uniform. Knead for a minute until easy to work with. Shape dough into 1 inch balls, and place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
  • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until slightly browned on the bottom. Do not over bake, or they will be very hard. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 77.2 calories, Carbohydrate 12.9 g, Cholesterol 3.9 mg, Fat 2.4 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 29.1 mg, Sugar 5.3 g

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.

PFEFFERNUSSE



Pfeffernusse image

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

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¾ teaspoon salt
¾ cup butter, softened
1 ¼ cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
¾ cup finely chopped almonds

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

PFEFFERNUSSE (GERMAN PEPPER NUT COOKIES )



Pfeffernusse (German Pepper Nut Cookies ) image

This is from Williams Sonoma and it has been a family favorite for years. It is a great twist on Gingerbread cookies.

Provided by Zookeenee

Categories     Dessert

Time 59m

Yield 24 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed anise seed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup light molasses (unsulfured)
1 egg
2 cups confectioners' sugar, for dusting (icing)

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, salt, pepper, aniseeds, cinnamon, baking soda, allspice, nutmeg and cloves.
  • In a large bowl, using an electic mixer set on medium speed, beat together the butter, brown sugar and molasses until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
  • Beat in the egg.
  • Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture.
  • Cover and refrigerate for several hours.
  • Position a rack in the middle of an oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
  • Butter 2 baking sheets, scoop up pieces of dough and roll between your palms into balls 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
  • Place the balls on the cookie sheets spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake until the cookies are golden brown on the bottom and firm to the touch, about 14 minutes.
  • Transfer the baking sheets to racks and let the cookies cool slightly on the sheets.
  • Place the confectioners' sugar in a sturdy paper bag, drop a few cookies into the bag, close the top securely, and shake gently to coat the warm cookies with the sugar.
  • Transfer to racks and let cool completely.
  • Repeat with the remaining cookies.
  • Store in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

PFEFFERNUSSE



Pfeffernusse image

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

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
6 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp all-spice
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp finely ground white pepper
1 egg white
1 Tbsp honey
1 cup powdered sugar

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

GERMAN PFEFFERNUESSE



German Pfeffernuesse image

I remember having friends at school bring these fun, marble-sized cookies in their lunchboxes. They're of German origin and taste very good.-N.R. Urie, Pueblo, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 25m

Yield 5-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup corn syrup
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon anise extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon each salt, baking soda and cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon each ground cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, cream, corn syrup, honey and extracts. Combine the dry ingredients; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate overnight., Roll dough into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 10-11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 145 calories, Fat 4g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 19mg cholesterol, Sodium 93mg sodium, Carbohydrate 25g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.

PFEFFERNUESSE



Pfeffernuesse image

These mild spice cookies, perfect for dunking, come from an old family recipe. The dough sits overnight to let the spices blend. The extraordinary flavors make these a holiday classic. —Betty Hawkshaw, Alexandria, Virginia

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 35m

Yield 8 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup molasses
1/3 cup water
6-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup crushed aniseed
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
Confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. In a bowl, combine corn syrup, molasses and water; set aside. Combine the flour, aniseed, baking soda and spices; add to creamed mixture alternately with molasses mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight. , Roll into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 11 minutes or until golden brown. Roll warm cookies in confectioners' sugar. Cool on wire racks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 69 calories, Fat 2g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 9mg cholesterol, Sodium 32mg sodium, Carbohydrate 12g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

Tips:

  • Follow the recipe carefully: Pfefferneusse are a delicate cookie, and it's important to follow the recipe carefully to ensure they turn out perfectly.
  • Use fresh ingredients: The fresher your ingredients, the better your pfefferneusse will taste. This is especially true for the spices, which should be ground fresh for the best flavor.
  • Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing the dough will make the cookies tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Chill the dough before baking: Chilling the dough will help the cookies hold their shape and prevent them from spreading too much in the oven.
  • Bake the cookies until they are just set: The cookies should be slightly soft in the center when they come out of the oven. If they are overbaked, they will be dry and crumbly.
  • Let the cookies cool completely before storing them: The cookies will continue to harden as they cool. If you store them before they are completely cooled, they may break.

Conclusion:

Pfefferneusse are a delicious and festive cookie that is perfect for the holiday season. They are easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little planning and effort, you can make your own pfefferneusse at home and enjoy this traditional German treat.

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