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!
Ingredients Substitutions
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.
Spices Its all about the spices in these Pfeffernüsse cookies for their distinctive taste. I used cinnamon allspice nutmeg cloves ginger and black pepper what sets these cookies apart from other spiced cookies.
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
Scoop dough into balls and place onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer for an hour or two or until the dough balls are solid Once the dough balls are frozen store them in a freezersafe container or sealable bag. They can be stored for up to 23 months When ready to bake the Pfeffernüsse cookies let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight. If baking directly from frozen add a couple of minutes to the baking time.
Ingredients
½ cup 1 stick 113 g unsalted butter room temperature¾ cup 150 g light brown sugar packed¼ cup 84 g molasses1 large egg room temperature1 teaspoon vanilla extract2 ¼ cups 281 g allpurpose flour1 teaspoon ground cinnamon½ teaspoon ground allspice¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg¼ teaspoon ground black pepper¼ teaspoon ground cloves¼ teaspoon ground ginger¼ teaspoon baking soda¼ teaspoon kosher salt½ cup 62 5 g confectioners sugar
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.
To a large bowl add flour cinnamon allspice nutmeg black pepper cloves ginger baking soda
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!
