Best Grossmutters Peppernuts Recipes

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PEPPERNUTS (PFEFFERNUSSE COOKIES)



Peppernuts (Pfeffernusse Cookies) image

Peppernuts (or Pfeffernusse Cookies) are a traditional German cookie often made in Mennonite communities in the US. They are a highly addictive, tiny, crunchy cookie filled with warming spices and are perfect for gift giving during the holidays!

Provided by Bettie

Categories     Christmas

Time 1h19m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 sticks (1 cup, 224 gr) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups (336 gr) dark brown sugar, lightly packed
2 large eggs
2 1/2 tsp anise extract (this is traditional in this recipe, but can be left out if you do not like anise. I have made them without several times and they are still delicious)
1/4 tsp table salt or Morton kosher salt (use 1/2 tsp if using Diamond kosher)
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp ground cardamom or clove (clove is more traditional, but I prefer the flavor of cardamom)
3 1/2 cups (420 gr) all purpose flour (measured properly-lightly spooned into measuring cups without packing in and leveled off)

Steps:

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fit with a paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a hand mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. About 3 minutes.
  • Add the eggs, anise extract, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, white pepper, and clove or cardamom into the bowl and mix until everything is incorporated.
  • Add the flour into the dough and mix just until it is incorporated. You do not want to mix for a long time, just until the flour is incorporated in.
  • Press the dough out to about 1" thick and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 days.
  • Preheat the oven to 350F (177C). Divide your dough into 16 pieces. Press 1 piece of dough into a ball and roll it out between your hands and a clean work surface to form a thin rope, about 1/4" thick. Use a sharp knife (or I like to use a bench scraper) to cut out tiny nut size pieces of dough. Place on a baking sheet. You can completely fill your sheet in a single layer, but you will need to bake these in several batches to get them all baked. It typically works out to be cutting out the next sheet pan of cookies while the one before it bakes.
  • Bake at 350F (177C) for 10-14 minutes, until a dark golden brown. Check the cookies at 10 minutes and bake longer if needed. The cookies will be slightly soft when they first come out of the oven but will become very crispy as the cool. Store the completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.

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

GERMAN PFEFFERNUESSE



German Pfeffernuesse image

Looking for a distinctive German dessert? Then check out these delicious cookies made with molasses - a tasty treat.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 3h

Yield 240

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup molasses
2 1/4 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon anise oil, if desired
Powdered sugar

Steps:

  • In large bowl, combine sugar, butter, buttermilk and molasses; beat well. Add flour and all remaining ingredients except powdered sugar; mix until well blended. Cover dough with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 2 hours for easier handling.
  • Heat oven to 350°F. On floured surface, shape dough into 4 long rolls, 15 inches long and 1 inch in diameter. With serrated knife, cut rolls into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Place 1/4 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
  • Bake at 350°F. for 8 to 9 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheets; place on wire racks. Cool 5 minutes or until completely cooled. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 50, Carbohydrate 8 g, Cholesterol 4 mg, Fat 1/2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, ServingSize 4 Cookies, Sodium 30 mg, Sugar 4 g

GROSSMUTTER'S PEPPERNUTS



Grossmutter's Peppernuts image

Before Christmas, my grandmother would bake peppernuts and store them until the big day. When we came home from school, the whole house would smell like anise and we knew the holiday season was about to begin. -Marilyn Kutzli, Clinton, Iowa

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield about 30 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 4

3 large eggs, room temperature
2 cups sugar
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon anise extract or crushed aniseed

Steps:

  • Beat eggs and sugar at medium speed for 15 minutes. Reduce speed; gradually add flour and anise. Beat until well combined. On a lightly floured surface, shape dough into 1/2-in.-thick ropes. Refrigerate, covered, for 1 hour., Preheat oven to 350°. Cut ropes into 1/2-in. pieces; place on greased baking sheets. Bake until set, 6-8 minutes. Cool completely on baking sheets on wire racks. Cookies will harden upon standing. Store in airtight containers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 51 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 9mg cholesterol, Sodium 4mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

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