Indulge in the cozy, spiced charm of Pfeffernuesse, the quintessential German Christmas cookies that blend warm, aromatic spices with a delicate glaze. These bite-sized treats carry the festive flavors of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and a dash of white pepper for a subtle, unexpected kick. Soft and slightly chewy on the inside with a satisfying crunch from the glaze, Pfeffernuesse are sweetened with a touch of molasses, which adds richness and depth to every bite. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a thoughtful homemade gift, this easy-to-follow recipe will transport you to a wintry wonderland straight from your own kitchen. Whether you enjoy them with a steaming cup of tea or as part of a holiday cookie platter, these traditional spiced cookies are a must-bake for the season.
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Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, white pepper, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the egg, molasses, and milk to the butter mixture. Beat until combined and smooth.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
Using your hands or a small cookie scoop, roll the dough into 1-inch (2.5 cm) balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the cookies are set.
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
While the cookies cool, prepare the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar and water in a small bowl until smooth.
Once the cookies are cool, dip each one into the glaze to coat, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the glazed cookies back on the wire rack to set.
Allow the glaze to harden completely, about 30 minutes, before serving or storing in an airtight container.
Serving size | (566.0g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 2023.0 |
Total Fat 78.1g | 0% |
Saturated Fat 46.2g | 0% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g | |
Cholesterol 407.7mg | 0% |
Sodium 1447.2mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate 338.9g | 0% |
Dietary Fiber 2.3g | 0% |
Total Sugars 328.7g | |
Protein 8.6g | 0% |
Vitamin D 66.8IU | 0% |
Calcium 333.9mg | 0% |
Iron 5.7mg | 0% |
Potassium 1423.8mg | 0% |
Source of Calories