Best German Pfeffernusse With Frosting Pepper Nuts Recipes

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PFEFFERNüSSE (GERMAN "PEPPER-NUT" CHRISTMAS COOKIES)



Pfeffernüsse (German

The name "Pfeffernüsse" translates to pepper-nut, even though these cookies don't contain either. Back in the day, "pepper" was a generic name for any type of spice, and these were were called "nuts" because they looked like nuts! Misleading names aside, I think this is the best Christmas cookie of all time. They're soft and chewy with a thin, crisp icing and the perfect combination of warming winter spices. Pack up a tin and share these delicious cookies with family and friends!

Provided by Chef John

Categories     German Cookies

Time P1DT1h50m

Yield 52

Number Of Ingredients 18

⅓ cup white sugar
¼ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup honey
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¾ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
½ tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 large egg, beaten
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
3 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons lemon juice

Steps:

  • Combine white and brown sugars in a saucepan with honey, water, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and cayenne pepper. Place over medium heat and whisk until the sugars dissolve and it just starts to simmer, 1 to 2 minutes. Immediately remove from the heat and let cool for 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Add salt, baking soda, heavy cream, and egg and whisk until thoroughly combined. Add flour and stir together with a wooden spoon until everything comes together as a dough.
  • Transfer dough to a piece of plastic wrap. Press into a ball and wrap tightly. Place in the refrigerator and let rest for 1 to 2 days.
  • When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Remove dough from the refrigerator and scoop into rounded teaspoons. Roll each one into a smooth ball if desired, and place on a prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake in the center of the preheated oven until cookies are perfectly dome-shaped with light golden brown bottoms, 9 to 10 minutes; don't overbake. Let cool on the pan all the way down to room temperature, 20 to 30 minutes.
  • While the cookies are cooling, repeat Steps 5 and 6 to shape and bake the remaining cookies.
  • Make icing by placing powdered sugar in a bowl. Stir in lemon juice, a few teaspoons at a time, until icing is very thick, but still slightly runny.
  • Dip the top of each cooled cookie into the icing. Let it drip, then flip it over and place on a wire rack set over a piece of parchment paper and let harden.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 67.7 calories, Carbohydrate 15.6 g, Cholesterol 4.4 mg, Fat 0.4 g, Fiber 0.2 g, Protein 0.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.2 g, Sodium 81.8 mg

PFEFFERNUSSE (GERMAN PEPPER NUT COOKIES )



Pfeffernusse (German Pepper Nut Cookies ) image

This is from Williams Sonoma and it has been a family favorite for years. It is a great twist on Gingerbread cookies.

Provided by Zookeenee

Categories     Dessert

Time 59m

Yield 24 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed anise seed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup light molasses (unsulfured)
1 egg
2 cups confectioners' sugar, for dusting (icing)

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, salt, pepper, aniseeds, cinnamon, baking soda, allspice, nutmeg and cloves.
  • In a large bowl, using an electic mixer set on medium speed, beat together the butter, brown sugar and molasses until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
  • Beat in the egg.
  • Reduce the mixer speed to low and beat in the flour mixture.
  • Cover and refrigerate for several hours.
  • Position a rack in the middle of an oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
  • Butter 2 baking sheets, scoop up pieces of dough and roll between your palms into balls 1 1/2 inches in diameter.
  • Place the balls on the cookie sheets spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  • Bake until the cookies are golden brown on the bottom and firm to the touch, about 14 minutes.
  • Transfer the baking sheets to racks and let the cookies cool slightly on the sheets.
  • Place the confectioners' sugar in a sturdy paper bag, drop a few cookies into the bag, close the top securely, and shake gently to coat the warm cookies with the sugar.
  • Transfer to racks and let cool completely.
  • Repeat with the remaining cookies.
  • Store in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

GERMAN PEPPERNUTS (PFEFFERNUSSE)



German Peppernuts (Pfeffernusse) image

Pfeffernusse are a traditional Christmas spice cookie that's very tiny. The tradition is carried on by Mennonites in the US. This recipe yields almost rock hard little nuggets. My mother remembers her grandmother placing one cookie at a time on a teaspoon, slightly dunking it down into her elegant china cup of tea, and waiting a moment until it softened. I grew up eating them by the handful--no dunking needed. When I was a kid, we would make gallons and they kept until February. They can be attractively bagged to make gifts.

Provided by Kate S.

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 dozen

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 eggs
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
3 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon clove
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 cup honey

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Beat sugar with eggs for 15 minutes.
  • Sift dry ingredients together, and stir into egg-sugar mixture.
  • Mix in butter and honey and knead briefly.
  • Roll dough into 1/2-inch-diameter snakes. Cut into 1/2-inch segments with floured paring knife. Arrange 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheet.
  • Bake 10-15 minutes.
  • Cool and store in airtight container in cool place.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 550.8, Fat 6.2, SaturatedFat 3.1, Cholesterol 72.2, Sodium 172.8, Carbohydrate 116, Fiber 2.2, Sugar 63.5, Protein 9.2

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