Pfeffernusse Cookies

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Servings: 18
Yield: 18 servings

Description

This pfeffernusse Cookies recipe makes traditional German Christmas cookies spiced with black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg.

Ingredients

1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup margarine
2 large eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons anise extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions

1 Place molasses, honey, shortening, and margarine in a medium saucepan over medium heat; stir until well combined.
2 Remove from heat and cool to room temperature; beat in eggs.
3 Combine flour, white sugar, brown sugar, anise extract, cinnamon, cardamom, baking soda, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, pepper, and salt together in a large bowl.
4 Add molasses mixture; stir until well combined. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
5 Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Roll dough into acorn-sized balls; place 1 inch apart on baking sheets.
6 Bake in the preheated oven until firm and slightly crackled, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool on the baking sheets briefly; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
7 Dust cookies with confectioners' sugar. Store in an airtight container.