Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

plain or fancy peppernuts (pfeffernuesse)

(2 ratings)
Recipe by
Angela Gray
Bristol, TN

These deliciously little fragrant cookies are full of spices and holiday goodness ! For the best flavor start with only the freshest spices, or even better grind your own! Pfeffernuesse translates to pepper nuts in German. They are believed to have come to America with immigrants in the 19th Century. German children are told by their parents that Pfeffernuesse are Santa's favorite cookie. And I do believe they are right ! This recipe was given to me by my Aunt Judy.

(2 ratings)
yield serving(s)
prep time 20 Min
cook time 10 Min

Ingredients For plain or fancy peppernuts (pfeffernuesse)

  • GENTLY MIX WITH A HAND MIXER THE FOLLOWING STEPS
  • 1 c
    sour cream
  • 1 c
    brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 1 c
    sugar
  • 1/2 c
    margarine
  • CREAM THE ABOVE INGREDIENTS
  • 3
    eggs
  • 1 tsp
    baking soda
  • 1 tsp
    baking powder
  • 2 tsp
    cinnamon
  • 1 tsp
    nutmeg
  • 1 tsp
    allspice, ground
  • 1 tsp
    vanilla extract
  • ADD ABOVE INGREDIENTS TO THE CREAMED MIXTURE
  • 1/2 lb
    dates, ground fine
  • 1/2 c
    walnuts, ground fine
  • ADD IN SMALL AMOUNTS THE ABOVE INGREDIENTS, SLOWLY
  • 3 1/2 c
    all purpose flour, may use up to 4 cups

How To Make plain or fancy peppernuts (pfeffernuesse)

  • 1
    Work in flour until not to sticky, but still a little moist.
  • 2
    CHILL Dough Overnight, covered
  • 3
    Lightly grease a large cookie sheet
  • 4
    Dough is sticky, work with small amounts.
  • 5
    Flour surface, dip kitchen shears into a jar of water.
  • 6
    Roll dough into thin ropes, about the size of your index finger.
  • 7
    Snip off small pieces of dough, about the size of your index finger joint.
  • 8
    Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 min. DO NOT OVERBAKE
  • 9
    Roll the warm cookies in powdered sugar or glaze with lemon juice mixed with powdered sugar till smooth. Lightly brush on. I like them with just powdered sugar.
  • 10
    Store cookies in an airtight container, should stay fresh for weeks.

Categories & Tags for Plain or Fancy Peppernuts (Pfeffernuesse):

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT