Pfeffrnusse Cookies

Indulge in the warm, spiced charm of Pfeffernüsse cookies, a traditional German treat perfect for the holiday season. These bite-sized delights boast a fragrant medley of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and a hint of black pepper, giving them their signature aromatic kick. Sweetened with molasses and brown sugar, they’re baked to soft perfection before being rolled in a snowy coat of powdered sugar for a delightful contrast. With just 20 minutes of prep time, this recipe yields 36 cookies, making it ideal for festive gatherings or edible gifts. As these cookies age, their spices deepen, making them even more delectable with every passing day. Perfect for pairing with a cup of tea or mulled wine, Pfeffernüsse cookies are a must-try for lovers of warm, nostalgic flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 39/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 36

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 1.5 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Ground ginger
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground cloves
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground nutmeg
• 0.25 teaspoons Ground black pepper
• 0.75 teaspoons Baking soda
• 0.25 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 cups Unsalted butter, softened
• 0.75 cups Brown sugar, packed
• 0.5 cups Molasses
• 1 large Egg
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 1 cup Powdered sugar

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4

Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, and beat until everything is well combined.

Step 5

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.

Step 6

Using a small cookie scoop or teaspoon, roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Step 7

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden and the cookies are set. Avoid overbaking to keep them soft.

Step 8

Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9

Once cooled, place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl and roll each cookie in the powdered sugar until evenly coated.

Step 10

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. The flavors will intensify over time.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(922.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3579.1

Total Fat 107.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 63.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 477.9mg	0%
Sodium 1773.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 622.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.2g	0%
Total Sugars 384.0g
Protein 39.2g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 597.9mg	0%
Iron 24.3mg	0%
Potassium 3009.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 26.8%

Protein: 4.3%

Carbs: 68.9%