/
1x
Advertisement

Pfeffernüsse

18

  • Prep Time20 min
  • Total Time6 h 45 min
  • Makesmakes 48 cookies
*PLUS 2 hours drying time
pfeffernusse cookies

Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Chatelaine Triple Tested

Pfeffernüsse translates to “peppernut” in German, referring to the pepper and ground nuts traditionally used in this Christmas cookie. Pfeffernüsse are often made well in advance of Christmas. People dunk them in coffee or tea to soften them up.

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup fancy molasses

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter

  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar

  • 1/4 cup honey

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp ground anise seed

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • 1/2 tsp ground allspice

  • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom

  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

  • 1/2 tsp white pepper

  • 1/2 tsp baking soda

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 2 eggs

  • 2/3 cup ground walnuts

  • 1/2 cup minced candied lemon peel, plus more for garnish

Glaze

  • 2 cups icing sugar

  • 2 tbsp + 2 tsp water

Instructions

  • COMBINE molasses, butter, sugar and honey in a medium saucepan over medium, stirring until sugar dissolves. Set aside to cool, 10 min.

  • WHISK flour, spices, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk eggs into molasses mixture. Stir in flour mixture, then fold in walnuts and candied peel (dough will be sticky and soft). Divide dough in half and wrap in plastic wrap. Flatten into discs and refrigerate until firm, at least 6 hr (preferably overnight).

  • PREHEAT oven to 350F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.

  • DIVIDE each disc in half. Roll 1 half of dough into a log, then cut log into 12 equal pieces. Lightly dust hands with flour, then roll pieces into balls and place on prepared sheet. Bake until slightly firm and cracked on top, 12 to 14 min. Cool for 2 min, then transfer to a rack to cool. Repeat with remaining dough.

  • GLAZE: Stir icing sugar and water in a small bowl. Dip tops of cookies into glaze, then sprinkle with candied lemon peel. Let dry, about 2 hr.

Nutrition (per cookie)

Calories 75, Protein 1g, Carbohydrates 14g, Fat 2g, Sodium 43mg.

Get more of our best gingerbread recipes.

Assorted cookies on a pink background with the words in white "Find more Christmas cookie recipes"

Chatelaine celebrates, inspires, informs and empowers. We know that Canadian women contain multitudes, and we cover all of the issues—big and small—that matter to them, from climate change to caregiving, Canadian fashion and what to cook now.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Copy link
The cover of Chatelaine magazine's spring 2025 issue, reading "weekend prep made easy"; "five delicious weeknight meals", "plus, why you'll never regret buying an air fryer"; "save money, stay stylish how to build a capsule wardrobe" and "home organization special" along with photos of burritos, chicken and rice and white bean soup, quick paella in a dutch oven, almost-instant Thai chicken curry and chicken broccoli casserole in an enamelled cast-iron skillet

Subscribe to Chatelaine!

Want to streamline your life? In our Spring 2025 issue, we’ll show you how—whether it’s paring down your wardrobe, decluttering your messiest spaces or spending way less time cooking thanks to an easy, mostly make-ahead meal plan for busy weeknights. Plus, our first annual Pantry Awards.