Serves 10
25 min
Pfeffernüsse German Cookies
Recipe GLPRfafe424f2e02c8
Traditional German spiced cookies with a delightful blend of cinnamon, black pepper, cloves, and nutmeg, finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. These oval-shaped treats are perfect for holiday celebrations or anytime you crave a sophisticated, aromatic cookie.
Save recipes you love
Create a free Grocery List Plus account to save recipes, rate them, and add every ingredient to your grocery list in one tap.
Ingredients
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure anise extract
1/2 teaspoon pure lemon extract
confectioners' sugar for dusting
Directions
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, black pepper, salt, cloves, and nutmeg. Set this mixture aside.
In another large bowl, beat the softened butter and firmly packed light brown sugar together with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
Add the eggs and the vanilla, anise, and lemon extracts to the butter mixture and mix well until fully incorporated.
Gradually add the sifted flour mixture to the wet ingredients while beating on low speed, mixing until just combined and no dry flour remains. Do not overmix.
Cover the dough and refrigerate for 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Using a heaping teaspoon of dough, shape each portion into a small oval by rolling gently between your palms.
Place the shaped dough ovals onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Bake the cookies for 10 minutes until they are set and lightly golden.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 1 minute, then transfer them to wire racks to cool further.
While the cookies are still warm, dust them generously with confectioners' sugar.
Cool the cookies completely before storing them in airtight containers to maintain freshness.
