If you’re searching for the ultimate festive treat, look no further than Pfeffernusse Cookies. These beloved German spice cookies have a comforting warmth from aromatic spices and molasses, all finished with a snowy coat of powdered sugar. The crisp exterior gives way to a soft, chewy center that practically melts in your mouth. Pfeffernusse Cookies are a celebration of rich, nostalgic flavors perfect for sharing at family gatherings, gifting to friends, or savoring with a cup of tea on a chilly afternoon.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Pfeffernusse Cookies lies in simple pantry staples, blended to create the unmistakable spice and texture we crave during the holiday season. Each ingredient has a special role, working together to create cookies that are both aromatic and irresistibly moreish.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone of these cookies, providing structure and the perfect bite.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies puff up slightly for that classic domed shape.
- Salt: Enhances the diverse flavors and balances the sweet and spicy notes.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds familiar warmth and depth that defines Pfeffernusse Cookies.
- Ground cloves: Lends distinct spiciness that’s earthy and subtly sweet.
- Ground allspice: Infuses a mysterious, cozy complexity.
- Ground nutmeg: Brings a nutty sweetness and aroma that boosts the festive feel.
- Ground ginger: Illuminates the cookie with gentle, zesty heat.
- Finely ground black pepper: The “pepper” in Pfeffernusse for a playful hint of heat at the finish.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Ensures melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and rich flavor.
- Brown sugar (packed): Deepens the flavor and keeps the cookies moist and tender.
- Molasses: Brings the signature dark color and bold, bittersweet undertones to the dough.
- Large egg: Adds structure and helps to bind all the ingredients together.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the spices with a delicate floral note.
- Powdered sugar (for coating): Creates the beautiful snowy finish and a sweet contrast to the spiced interior.
How to Make Pfeffernusse Cookies
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, and black pepper in a medium bowl. This initial step is where the magic of Pfeffernusse Cookies begins—the combination of aromatic spices will already fill your kitchen with festive cheer as they mingle with the flour.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream your softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process helps to add air, creating a cookie that’s delightfully soft. The brown sugar adds a caramel-like richness, while the butter forms the base for that classic tender crumb.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to your creamed mixture. The molasses deepens the flavor and gives that distinctive Pfeffernusse Cookies color, while the egg gives structure and moisture, and a splash of vanilla brings everything together.
Step 4: Combine and Chill
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a thick dough forms. This rich, spiced dough can be sticky, so chilling it for 30 minutes makes it much easier to handle—which means less mess and perfectly shaped cookies!
Step 5: Shape and Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and space them about 2 inches apart on the tray. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the cookies are puffed and just set. The centers should still feel soft; they’ll firm up as they cool, ensuring Pfeffernusse Cookies are chewy on the inside.
Step 6: Sugar-Coat for the Win
Let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes on the pan before transferring to a wire rack. While still slightly warm, roll each cookie in powdered sugar so it forms a beautiful coat. Once fully cooled, roll them once more for that lovely snowy finish everyone loves.
How to Serve Pfeffernusse Cookies
Garnishes
There’s beauty in simplicity here: a generous final dusting of powdered sugar right before serving ensures each Pfeffernusse Cookie looks festive and inviting. For a playful twist, add a sprinkle of edible gold dust or garnish your platter with a few cinnamon sticks and star anise for a picture-perfect presentation.
Side Dishes
Pfeffernusse Cookies are wonderful on their own, but they’re also right at home alongside a mug of mulled wine, spiced cider, or a hot cup of coffee. If you want to make a dessert board, pair them with chocolate-dipped fruits or almond biscotti for a beautiful contrast in both flavor and texture.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack Pfeffernusse Cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon for sweet gifts during the holidays, or create a cookie tower on a vintage cake stand for your dessert table. You can even nestle them among pine branches and ornaments on a serving tray for a winter wonderland vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Simply pop any extra Pfeffernusse Cookies into an airtight container at room temperature, where they’ll stay chewy and delicious for up to a week. In fact, the flavors only deepen and improve after a day or two, making these cookies a fantastic make-ahead treat.
Freezing
Looking to get ahead on your holiday baking? Pfeffernusse Cookies freeze beautifully! After baking and cooling, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months. You can even freeze the dough (shaped or unshaped) and bake cookies straight from frozen—just add an extra minute or two in the oven.
Reheating
If you love Pfeffernusse Cookies warm, just pop a few on a microwave-safe plate and warm them for 5–10 seconds. After thawing frozen cookies, let them come to room temperature, and then roll them in fresh powdered sugar to restore their signature snowy look and soft texture.
FAQs
What does Pfeffernusse mean?
Pfeffernusse is German for “pepper nuts,” a playful name that nods to the little round shape and the peppery spice that sets these cookies apart from other holiday treats.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend (ideally with xanthan gum), and your Pfeffernusse Cookies will still have all the warmth and spice you expect.
Why chill the dough before baking?
Chilling the dough makes it firm enough to roll easily and helps prevent the Pfeffernusse Cookies from spreading too much in the oven. This gives you the perfectly domed, chewy interior every time.
How do I keep the powdered sugar coating from melting?
Roll the cookies in sugar while they’re warm for the first coat, and again once they’ve cooled completely. The double coating ensures that iconic snowy look lasts, even after they’re stored.
Can I make Pfeffernusse Cookies ahead for gifting?
Definitely! Pfeffernusse Cookies not only hold up well but their flavor actually improves after a day or two, making them ideal for packing up as gifts or mailing to loved ones far away.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about the warm, spicy aroma of Pfeffernusse Cookies filling the kitchen. Whether you bake them with family or enjoy them as a quiet treat with tea, these cookies bring a bit of Old World holiday tradition to your table. I hope you give this recipe a try and share a batch with someone you love—they’re sure to become a treasured part of your festive season too!
Print
Pfeffernusse Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour (including chilling and cooling)
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the warm, spiced flavors of traditional German holiday baking with these delightful Pfeffernusse Cookies. These soft, chewy cookies are rolled in powdered sugar for a snowy finish, making them a perfect treat for the festive season.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating:
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and all the spices, including black pepper.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients: Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla until well combined.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until a thick dough forms. Chill the dough for 30 minutes for easier handling.
- Form and bake: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until puffed and just set.
- Cool and coat: Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack. While still slightly warm, roll cookies in powdered sugar. Once fully cooled, roll again for a snowy finish.
Notes
- These cookies get better after a day or two as the flavors deepen.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
