Pfeffernüsse

Name: Pfeffernüsse
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 37 min
Yield: 30 servings
Cuisine: German
Ingredients: 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1/4 cup honey; 1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed; 1 egg, beaten; 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground cloves; 1/2 tsp ground cardamom; 1/4 tsp ground white pepper; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted

Traditional German holiday cookies spiced with white pepper, cinnamon, and cardamom. Soft, chewy, and finished with a delicate sugar coating.

37 minMediumServes 3075 cal/serving

GermanDessertOvenVegetarianLow CarbHalal-friendlyNut-FreeSoy-FreeAlcohol-FreePork-FreeLow-Sodium

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 egg, beaten
2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground white pepper
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted

Instructions

1

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter, 1/4 cup honey, and 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar together until smooth, then allow to cool slightly.
2

Whisk in the 1 beaten egg.
3

In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground cloves, 1/2 tsp ground cardamom, 1/4 tsp ground white pepper, and 1/2 tsp baking powder.
4

Stir the warm honey mixture into the flour mixture until a cohesive dough forms, then cover and chill for 1 hour.
5

Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6

Roll dough into one-inch balls and arrange on the baking sheet.
7

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until firm to the touch.
8

Toss warm cookies in 1 cup sifted powdered sugar until fully coated, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Questions

Can I make Pfeffernüsse dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Pfeffernüsse gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Pfeffernüsse keep?

Store it airtight: two to three days at room temperature or up to a week refrigerated. It freezes for up to two months; thaw at room temperature.

Can I halve or double Pfeffernüsse?

Yes. As written it serves 30. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, split it across two pans and rotate them halfway; one crowded pan bakes unevenly.

Serve it with

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