Receta National Pfeffernüesse Day
December 23rd is
National Pfeffernüesse Day
Pfeffernüesse Cookies are one of the oldest and most popular holiday cookie in Germany, Denmark and The Netherlands. Known as Pepernoten in Dutch (plural), Pebernødder in Danish and Pepper Nuts in English. Pfeffernüesse cookies are so beloved in many European Countries, that there is a National Pfeffernüesse Day, celebrated in honor of these spicy little cookies, held each year on December 23rd. Pfeffernüesse are great for dunking in hot mulled cider, a mug of hot tea, hot chocolate, or a steaming mug of Glühwein
5 Food Facts about Pfeffernüesse~
Pfeffernüsse are a traditional Christmastime cookie whose name translate to "pepper nuts" in English.
Pfeffernüsse Cookies are spicy, small, round cookies, made with butter, molasses, and lots of spices.
Pfeffernüsse are hard when they come out of the oven but soften with time....if they last that long!
Pfeffernüesse cookies are a variant of the German Lebkuchen or gingerbread
Pfeffernüesse are a special treat, left for children by St Nicholas.
Many recipes call for rolling or shaking each warm Pfeffernüesse cookie in a spiced powdered sugar mixture to coat.
My Grandma made Pfeffernüesse cookies each and every holiday season but she never rolled her cookies in powdered sugar. I think she was trying to avoid a mess that her Grand kids were sure to make while eating these tiny spicy cookies.
I have carried on her tradition of not dusting Pfeffernüesse cookies in spiced powdered sugar but feel free to do so if you wish. The recipe for spiced powdered sugar follows and its delicious:) I have used spiced powdered sugar on Mexican Wedding cookies, among other things and it's delicious~
- Pepper Nuts~
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 cups flour
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 t ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 t baking soda
- 1 1/2 t ground cardamom*
- 1 t ground allspice*
- 1 t ground nutmeg*
- 1 t ground cloves*
- 1 t ground ginger*
- 1 t freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 t salt
- 2 eggs, slightly beaten
- 2 t anise extract or vanilla extract
- **Spices~ See Note Below**
- Spiced Powdered Sugar~
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 t ground cinnamon*
- 1 t ground ginger*
- 1/2 t ground nutmeg*
- 1/4 t ground allspice*
- Sift all ingredients together in a large bowl. Set aside.
- In a large heavy, non-reactive 1 to 1 1/2 quart saucepan
- Combine the molasses, honey and butter
- Place the saucepan over low heat
- Stir until the butter has melted and
- All ingredients are completely combined
- Stir until mixture is creamy
- Do not boil
- Remove the saucepan from the heat
- Pour the mixture into a large bowl
- Set aside
- Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature
- While the mixture is cooling
- Sift together the flour, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda
- Cardamom, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, ginger,
- Black pepper and salt in a separate bowl
- When the molasses mixture has reached room temperature
- Stir in beaten eggs and the anise or vanilla extract
With a large wooden spoon
Gradually stir in the sifted dry ingredients
Stir until everything is thoroughly combined
Dough will be very sift
Chill dough for 2 hours or longer
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Scoop out 1-2 T of cookie dough
(I have been told that a melon baller works great for this)
Roll cookie dough between the palms of your hands
Place dough balls onto parchment lined baking sheets
Bake at 12-14 minutes or until firm to the touch
Remove from oven
Cool cookies on sheets for 2-3 minutes
Transfer cookies to a cooling rack
Let cool completely
Store cookies in an air tight container
*If using spiced powdered sugar*
Place spiced powdered sugar mixture
Into a gallon size ziplock freezer baggie
Drop a few cookies into the mixture
Shake gently to coat
Repeat until all cookies are coated
**Spices**
Pfeffernüesse cookies call for the use of several different spices. If you live near a store that sells spices by the bulk such as Bulk Priced Food Shoppe, I would suggest buying just the amounts of spices you will need. You can purchase bulk spices for as little as .10¢ per teaspoon.