Learn how to make my Tante (Aunt) Betty's Pfeffernusse - a spicy, German cookie smothered in icing. They're the perfect treat for the holidays!
I have a recipe book featuring our extended family's favourite recipes that I made about 12 years ago. In it are some delicious & treasured creations by many of my German aunts and great aunts. I've actually featured a lot of these recipes on my blog before in my German baking series!
Today's recipe is a delicious German Christmas cookie called Pfeffernusse (or Peppernuts, in English). If you like the taste of gingerbread, you'll love these! They're spicy, soft and pillowy, and they're encased in an icing glaze to keep them moist and give them even more sweetness and texture.
This recipe is part of a Christmas recipe hop hosted by Jo-Anna from A Pretty Life, so after you've had a look at my recipe make sure to hop down to the bottom of this post to get even more holiday baking and cooking ideas!
Besides the fact that they're iced all the way around, I think one of the most interesting things about baking these cookies is that you boil all of the wet ingredients on the stove before putting in the dry ingredients. It seems to give these cookies a unique texture and chewiness. Plus, it just feels good to work with warm dough on a cold winter's day!
Here's the recipe for my Tante Betty's Pfeffernusse
I've copied it exactly as she had written it for my family recipe book, with some of my own notes in parenthesis.
- First Mixture
- 1 ½ c brown sugar
- ½ c molasses
- ½ c water
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp cloves
- 3 tsp star anise
- ½ tsp ginger
- ½ tsp almond extract
- ½ ts anise extract
- Second Mixture
- ½ c butter
- 1 tsp baking soda (dissolved in water)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 beaten eggs
- 4-5 cups flour to make a soft dough (if the batter is too thick, it won't hold together)
- Icing
- 1 c icing sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp almond extract
- Bring the first mixture to a boil. Cool slightly and add second mixture.
- Roll in long narrow strips. Cut to desired thickness, and shape into balls. (My pieces are about 1 x 1 inch)
- Bake at 350 degrees F until slightly brown (10-15 minutes). Be careful, they burn easily at the bottom, unless you use airbake pans.
- Ice with a mixture of icing sugar, milk, and almond extract (I use 1 cup of icing sugar, 2 tbsp of milk, and 1 tsp of almond extract). If you ice both top and bottom, they don't dry out as quickly.
We've loved baking this recipe this Christmas season so far, and Little B likes to give her Pfeffernusse her own spin with sprinkles:
These also freeze well, so make this huge batch and put a couple dozen in the freezer for Christmas Eve!
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More of My Christmas Ideas
MAKE GINGERBREAD FLAVORED COFFEE SYRUP
This flavourful gingerbread coffee syrup is the perfect, festive addition to your morning latte. It also makes a great gift for a coffee lover! The syrup is so simple to make and tastes delicious.
CREATE AN INEXPENSIVE HOT CHOCOLATE STATION FOR CHRISTMAS
A fun treat to have in your home over the Holiday season is a special area where everyone can make their own hot drink - a hot chocolate station! You can keep your station budget-friendly by using recycled jars, dollar store products, and things you already have on hand.
HOW TO WRAP YOUR CHRISTMAS BAKING
I think homemade cookies and breads are such an easy and heartfelt gift to give to neighbors and friends. Here are a few fun ways to package your Christmas baking gifts this year.
More Delicious Christmas Cookie Recipes:
For more Christmas cookie recipes, make sure you check out the delicious recipes below!
Swiss Mountain Shortbread by Kim of Kim Power Style
German Iced Spice Christmas Cookies by Christina of The DIY Mommy
Slice and Bake Shortbread Cookies by Jo-Anna of A Pretty Life in the Suburbs
Cathedral Window Cookies by Rita of Harbour Breeze Home
Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti by Kendra of Joy In Our Home
Cranberry Orange Shortbread by Jen of Kitchen Counter Chronicles
Holiday Crinkle Cookies by Lisa of Fabulous Habits
Maple Shortbread Snowflakes by Laura of one house 2 barns
Ritz Cracker Bark (aka Crookies) by Courtenay of Creek Line House
Peppermint Hot Cocoa Cookies by Jennifer of Happily Organized Chaos
Earl Grey Snowball Cookies by Tan of Squirrelly Minds
Gingerbread Cookies by Dannyelle of Life is a Party
Yum! That icing looks amazing.
Looks delicious Christina!!
I've had these from packages but I bet they're SO much better fresh! I have to try these.
You really should 🙂
Oh my those look delicious Christina! I LOVE recipes that are passed down through families...they're always the best.
These look delicious and oh so pretty!
The icing on these cookies look sooo delicious!
Thanks, Lisa. It is pretty good 👍🏻
These were my favorite cookies when I visited Germany before Christmas. Thank you for bringing them to FF.
I've seen these cookies before but have never made them. I will definitely be giving them a go - they look like Christmas on a plate!
We love ginger at our house and these cookies look so fun. I have chose this post to be featured at Best of the Weekend. Thank you for sharing.
Great recipe and I love the way you displayed them! Thanks for joining us at Best of the Weekend. You were one of my features this week! I will also be pinning and sharing on Instagram stories this weekend. Thanks for joining us and have a great weekend!
Shelley