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A pile of glazed pfeffernusse 2 spice cookies on a rustic wooden table

Pfeffernusse 2

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5 from 15 reviews

Description

These traditional spiced cookies offer a delightful blend of German heritage and Southern comfort, featuring a soft, cake-like texture and a unique hint of white pepper. Finished with a delicate lemon glaze, they are the perfect treat for slow afternoons and festive gatherings.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup dark molasses
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons cold milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the molasses, honey, and granulated sugar over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to bubble slightly.
  3. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, white pepper, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, and salt; allow the mixture to cool until warm to the touch.
  4. Whisk in the cold milk, baking soda, and egg until fully incorporated.
  5. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, stirring until a stiff dough forms, then gently knead by hand until smooth.
  6. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving one inch of space between each.
  7. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until the bottoms are lightly browned, then remove from the oven.
  8. Whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and water, then use a pastry brush to apply the glaze to the cookies while they are still hot.

Notes

Allow these cookies to rest in an airtight container for at least 24 hours before serving to let the complex spice flavors mellow and deepen. If your dough feels too sticky to roll into neat spheres, simply dampen your palms with a touch of water or oil to make the shaping process much smoother without adding unnecessary flour.

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: German-American

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Find it online: https://cookiessweet.com/pfeffernusse-2-spiced-cookies/