German Pfeffernusse Cookies
Classic German Pfeffernüsse Cookies made with warm spices, molasses, anise, and chopped nuts—then dipped in glaze and powdered sugar. Soft, chewy, and full of holiday flavor.
Servings: 60 cookies
Equipment
- Electric Mixer (for mixing the dough)
- Whisk (for whisking the dry ingredients)
- parchment paper (to line the baking sheets)
- baking sheets (for baking the cookies)
- Wire Cooling Rack (a place for the cookies to cool)
Ingredients
COOKIES:
- 10 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons molasses
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon anise extract
- 3 cups cake flour
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground mace
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch ground white pepper
- 1 cup finely chopped nuts (almonds, pecans or walnuts)
COOKIE COATING:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1½ tablespoons milk
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
- additional powdered sugar
Instructions
PREPARE and BAKE THE COOKIES:
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to combine the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the molasses, water and vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, spices, baking soda and salt/pepper. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir in the nuts. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour.
- Preheat the oven to 375℉. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2-inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown.
ADD THE COOKIE COATING:
- Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. Place some more powdered sugar in another shallow bowl. Place some paper towels or waxed paper under wire racks. Move the cookies to the wire racks to cool for 5 minutes. Dip the tops of the warm cookies in the glaze, allow the excess to drip off, and then dip in the powdered sugar. Cool completely on the wire racks. Store cooled cookies in an airtight container. These cookies freeze well too.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 70kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 31mg | Potassium: 48mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.2mg