Description
Traditional Pfeffernüsse are authentic German peppernut cookies, known for their rich blend of spices, nuts, and a hint of pepper for a subtle sharpness. These classic holiday treats are soft, fragrant, and perfect for Christmas celebrations or anytime you crave a cozy spiced cookie.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- 80 g butter
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 1 medium-sized egg (room temperature)
- 100 g honey
- 250 g all-purpose flour (Germany type 405, UK plain flour, USA all purpose or cake flour)
- 50 g ground almonds
- 50 g ground hazelnuts
- 2 tsp gingerbread spice (homemade lebkuchen spice mix recommended)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (optional, adds sharpness)
- 1 tsp baking powder
Glaze
- 75 g powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Decoration
- 100 g dark chocolate
Instructions
- Mix Butter and Sugar: Using a hand or stand mixer, cream the butter and granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy. Then add the egg and mix until fully combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: If the honey is thick, gently warm it to make it more liquid. Add the honey, gingerbread spice, black pepper, ground almonds, and ground hazelnuts to the butter mixture. Mix thoroughly.
- Add Flour and Baking Powder: Gradually add the flour and baking powder to the bowl, kneading all ingredients into a smooth, cohesive dough.
- Rest the Dough: For best flavor, cover the dough with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Let it rest at room temperature for at least one hour or overnight to allow the spices to mellow and deepen the flavor.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 160°C (320°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Shape the Cookies: Pinch off small portions of dough and roll them into walnut-sized balls. To ensure uniform size, you can weigh each dough ball.
- Bake: Arrange the dough balls on the lined baking tray, keeping enough space between each as they will spread slightly during baking. Bake for about 15 minutes until the cookies are firm to the touch.
- Cool and Glaze: Remove cookies from the oven and cool on a wire rack. While cooling, prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth.
- Decorate: Once cooled, optionally dip or drizzle the cookies with melted dark chocolate for an extra festive touch.
Notes
- This recipe yields about 30 small, spiced German Pfeffernüsse cookies.
- Resting the dough enhances the flavor by allowing the spices to fully develop.
- If preferred, you can omit the black pepper for a milder flavor profile.
- Use a homemade gingerbread spice mix for the most authentic taste.
- These cookies keep well in an airtight container for several days, making them perfect for holiday gifting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 124 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 11 mg
