Pfeffernusse German Pepper Nut Cookies
Transport your taste buds to a cozy German Christmas market with Pfeffernüsse, the quintessential German pepper nut cookies. These bite-sized holiday treats are spiced to perfection with warm notes of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and a subtle kick of black pepper, creating a flavor profile that is both nostalgic and unique. Sweetened with honey and a duo of sugars, their tender, chewy texture is complemented by a snowy coating of powdered sugar that makes them as beautiful as they are delicious. Ready in under 35 minutes, these aromatic cookies are perfect for festive gatherings, gift-giving, or simply pairing with a steaming mug of tea or mulled wine. Impress your family and friends with this easy, authentic recipe that captures the holiday spirit in every bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground cloves
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- 0.25 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 cup Unsalted butter, softened
- 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
- 0.25 cup Dark brown sugar, packed
- 0.25 cup Honey
- 1 large Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 cup Powdered sugar (for coating)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Beat in the honey, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a thick and slightly sticky dough forms.
Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, portion the dough into 1-inch balls. Roll them between your palms to smooth and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. The tops may still appear slightly soft, but they will firm up as they cool.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once the cookies are fully cooled, place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl or plate. Roll each cookie in the powdered sugar until fully coated, and then dust lightly once more for an extra snowy appearance.
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
94 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 2.9 g | 4% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.7 g | 9% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 12 mg | 4% | |
| Sodium | 31 mg | 1% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 16.0 g | 6% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.3 g | 1% | |
| Total Sugars | 9.2 g | ||
| Protein | 1.1 g | 2% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 5 mg | 0% | |
| Iron | 0.4 mg | 2% | |
| Potassium | 14 mg | 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.
