Pfeffernüsse Cookies
Pfeffernüsse Cookies feature a rich spiced flavor in each confectioners sugarcoated chewy bite inspired by a traditional German holiday treat. They are a mustadd to your Christmas Dessert Charcuterie Board this holiday season! You might also want to try my recipe for Italian Christmas Cookies too!
What Are Pfeffernüsse Cookies?
Pfeffernüsse translates to pepper nuts in German but they do not contain nuts. However some recipes do add nuts. It refers to the black pepper added to the dough along with a variety of warm spices as well as the small round shape of each. They are similar in flavor to gingerbread cookies but with their own blend of spices. Plus they are usually smaller in size with a dense chewy texture. Get a batch made to celebrate National Pfeffernüsse Day on December 23rd! Perfect timing for the holidays!
Butter Using unsalted butter lets you have control over the amount of salt added to the recipe. If using salted butter you may want to lessen the amount of salt added.
Brown Sugar Light brown sugar adds sweetness and moisture to the cookies. In addition the molasses content in brown sugar adds a subtle caramel note.
Molasses Adding molasses to the cookie dough enhances the sweetness with a distinct molasses flavor. Make sure you are using unsulphured molasses.
Confectioners Sugar After the cookies have cooled a bit they are rolled in confectioners sugar. It adds sweetness and looks like the cookies have been dusted by a blanket of snow! Lovely and festive at the same time!
Do I Have To Chill The Dough?
No the dough for these Pfeffernüsse cookies does not need to be
chilled before baking. We tested the cookies after chilling for an hour then after 2 hours and finally with no chilling time. The cookies turned out great with no chill time required! But if you want to get the dough made in advance you could wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to bake let the dough come to room temperature.
Freezing Pfeffernüsse Cookie Dough
If you want to get a head start on these cookies prepare the dough and freeze it. To freeze the dough
Ingredients
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment cream butter and brown sugar together. Add molasses egg and vanilla mixing until thoroughly combined stopping to scrape the bowl as needed.
and salt. Whisk to combine.
With the mixer on low gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients mixing until thoroughly combined.
Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop drop dough onto parchmentlined baking sheets about 1 inch apart.
Bake for 1215 minutes checking at 10 minutes or until cookies are cracking slightly and firm to the touch.
Let cool for 5 minutes.
To a medium bowl add confectioners sugar. Toss each cooled cookie in the confectioners sugar until completely coated. Set on a serving platter. Enjoy!