Recipe Details

Recipe


Recipe Title
Ilse’s Bakery Recipe: Pfeffernüsse
Author's Note
These Pfeffernüsse filled Ilse’s kitchen with warm and festive aromas, and their spiced, nutty flavor made them a delightful treat, perfect for sharing during the holiday season.
Overview of Recipe
<p>The name "Pfeffernüsse" reflects the cookie's distinct ingredients: a blend of spices that traditionally includes pepper (hence the name), along with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and anise. The "nuts" part of the name does not necessarily refer to actual nuts in the ingredients but rather to the small, round shape of the cookies, which are reminiscent of nuts.</p><p>The popularity of Pfeffernüsse grew significantly during the 19th century. They became a staple of German Christmas markets and a beloved treat enjoyed during the holiday season. The cookies were often baked in large batches and stored to be enjoyed throughout the Advent season leading up to Christmas.</p><p>Pfeffernüsse are known for their hard texture when first baked, which softens over time. This characteristic made them ideal for long-term storage and also symbolizes the cookies' historical roots, when baked goods needed to last through long winters.</p><p>Today, Pfeffernüsse continue to be a cherished holiday tradition in many households, known for their unique spicy flavor and rich history that ties back to early European baking traditions.</p>
Tag List
#Pfeffernüsse;#IlseBakeryRecipe;#Dessert;#Cookie;#Christmas;#PepperNuts
Minutes to Prepare
20
Minutes to Cook
15
Servings or People Served?
24 cookies
Recipe Category
Dessert - Sweet course that concludes a meal
Recipe Cuisine
German
Image Attribution
SM Image Attribution
Last Updated Date
8/9/24 7:34 P
Public Title Route
ilse-s-bakery-recipe-pfeffern-sse
 Back to List  Recipe Book  Main Recipe  Recipe Sections  Ingredients  Instructions  Photos  Recipe Card

Recipe Sections

 Add New Section
Order # Section Title Actions
1.00 Assembly

Ingredients and Substitutions

 Add New Ingredient
Recipe Section Order # Ingredient Substitutions Actions
1.00 2 cups all-purpose flour
2.00 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3.00 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4.00 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
5.00 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
6.00 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
7.00 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8.00 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
9.00 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
10.00 1/2 cup molasses
11.00 1 large egg
12.00 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
13.00 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as almonds or hazelnuts), toasted
Assembly 14.00 Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

 Add New Instruction
Recipe Section Order # Instruction Actions
2.00 In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, black pepper, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3.00 In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4.00 Add the molasses, egg, and orange zest to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until well combined.
5.00 Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
6.00 Stir in the chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough
Assembly 1.00 Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Assembly 7.00 Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie
Assembly 8.00 Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft.
Assembly 9.00 Allow the Pfeffernüsse to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Assembly 10.00 Once cooled, dust the cookies generously with powdered sugar

Photos

Upload Recipe Photo Upload Social Media Photo
Recipe Image
Ilse’s Bakery Recipe: PfeffernüsseImage
Social Media Image
Ilse’s Bakery Recipe: PfeffernüsseSocial Media Image
Pinterest Image
Ilse’s Bakery Recipe: PfeffernüssePinterest Image

Recipe Card

Author's Note

These Pfeffernüsse filled Ilse’s kitchen with warm and festive aromas, and their spiced, nutty flavor made them a delightful treat, perfect for sharing during the holiday season.

Ilse’s Bakery Recipe: Pfeffernüsse

The name "Pfeffernüsse" reflects the cookie's distinct ingredients: a blend of spices that traditionally includes pepper (hence the name), along with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and anise. The "nuts" part of the name does not necessarily refer to actual nuts in the ingredients but rather to the small, round shape of the cookies, which are reminiscent of nuts.

The popularity of Pfeffernüsse grew significantly during the 19th century. They became a staple of German Christmas markets and a beloved treat enjoyed during the holiday season. The cookies were often baked in large batches and stored to be enjoyed throughout the Advent season leading up to Christmas.

Pfeffernüsse are known for their hard texture when first baked, which softens over time. This characteristic made them ideal for long-term storage and also symbolizes the cookies' historical roots, when baked goods needed to last through long winters.

Today, Pfeffernüsse continue to be a cherished holiday tradition in many households, known for their unique spicy flavor and rich history that ties back to early European baking traditions.

Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (such as almonds or hazelnuts), toasted
  • Assembly
  • Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, black pepper, and nutmeg. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add the molasses, egg, and orange zest to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until well combined.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
  5. Stir in the chopped nuts until evenly distributed throughout the dough
  6. Assembly
  7. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  8. Shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft.
  10. Allow the Pfeffernüsse to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  11. Once cooled, dust the cookies generously with powdered sugar

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 15 minutes

Total time: 35 minutes

Serves: 24 cookies

Category: Dessert

Cuisine: German

Updated: 4 months ago

Ilse’s Bakery Recipe: PfeffernüsseSocial Media Image