European Spice Cookie Recipe Smells & Tastes Like the Holidays Cookies Desserts Holidays European Recipes

Pfeffernusse are spice cookies popular in Germany, The Netherlands and Denmark. These delicious Christmas cookies are popular holiday desserts, filled with various ground spices and sweeteners. A few spices that are found often in Pfeffernusse dessert recipes are molasses, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, anise and black pepper.

Anise is the dominant spice in this fragrant Pfeffernusse cookie recipe, and some choose to omit the black pepper. These aromatic cookies smell similar to gingerbread cookies and, like many cookie recipes of this type, they have endless variations.

Here's an easy Pfeffernusse recipe to try this Christmas and holiday season.

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Cuisine: European
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 9 to 12 minutes
Total Time: 24 to 27 minutes
Servings: 24 (depends on size)

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or white pepper (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon anise extract
• powdered sugar

Helpful Products

• Electric Mixer
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Whisk
• Baking Sheet
• Spatula
• Mixing Bowl
• Stand Mixer
• Parchment Paper
• Airtight Containers

Recipe Notes

• Instead of rolling the cookies in powdered sugar, you could frost them with vanilla cake icing.

• Store the cookies in airtight containers on the counter for snacking throughout the season.

Here's how to make it:

1. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg, ginger, salt, allspice and cloves in a bowl. 
2. Make a well in the center and add the melted and cooled butter, molasses, egg and anise extract. Beat on low speed until combined.
3. Roll the dough into balls and arrange on parchment paper-lined cookie sheets. Bake in a preheated 325-degree F oven for 9 to 12 minutes, or until edges are set. Remove and cool a few minutes before rolling in the powdered sugar. 

Nutrition Facts Per Serving

Calories: 128

Total Fat: 5.1g

Saturated Fat: 3.1g

Cholesterol: 18mg

Sodium: 59mg

Total Carbohydrate: 19.5g

Dietary Fiber: 1.6g

Total Sugars: 7.4g

Protein: 1.9g

Vitamin D: 1mcg

Calcium: 30mg

Iron: 2mg

Potassium: 144mg

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. This recipe has been analyzed by VeryWellFit. However, any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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