Pfeffernusse German Christmas Cookies from Platter Talk (2024)

If you are looking to add a new holiday cookie to this year’s Christmas cookie exchange, these GermanPfeffernusse Cookies are the perfect solution.

Pfeffernüsse or Pepernoten are kicked-up gingerbread cookies with a sugar coating on the outside.

What are Pfeffernusse Cookies

These Pfeffernüsse Cookies come from Germany and are popular throughout the entire holiday season. In the Netherlands, they make a similar cookie known as Pepernoten.

This classic Christmas cookie fits right in there with our other international Christmas cookie recipes! I’m talking about our Italian Ricotta Cookies and our Swiss Spitzbuben cookies.

In German, Pfeffernusse means “Pepper Nuts.”

What’s in These German Gingerbread Cookies?

Pfeffernusse cookies feature warm, peppery tones for the cold wintery days of the holiday season.

These German gingerbread cookies get their flavors from such common spices and flavorings as:

• Anise Extract
• Cardamon
• Allspice
• Nutmeg
• Cloves
• Ground Pepper
• Molasses
• Honey

What you need to make pfeffernusse cookies.[/caption]

How to Make Pfeffernusse Cookies

We’re going to start by combining some butter, molasses, and honey in a small saucepan.

This combination of ingredients should tell you right away that these are going to be some pretty tasty holiday cookies!

Start with a warm combination of butter, molasses, and honey.[/caption]

Next, you’re going to add an egg and some anise extract to these Pfeffernusse cookies.

We’ve used anise before in our Swedish Limpa Bread, andif you recall, it has a sweet, aromatic taste similar to black licorice.

These Pfeffernusse Cookies start to warm up with the addition of anise extract, but this is just the beginning![/caption]

Now, you’re going to add a combination of warm spices, like cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg and cloves, and the like to this pfeffernusse recipe.

At this point, your holiday kitchen is going to take on the aroma of a German bakery.

Don’t be surprised if people and pets of all creeds begin to work their way into your kitchen to find out exactly what you are making.

More warm spices are added to this German cookie recipe.

Now, it’s time to take a small break in making these cookies and allow the dough to chill for an hour or so in your refrigerator.

This is a great time to do some online shopping and maybe sit back and have another cup of coffee.

Let the pfeffernusse cookie dough chill before rolling out the cookies.[/caption]

Once the cookie dough has chilled a bit, it’s time to bake these pfeffernusse cookies in a hot oven. It only takes about 12 minutes in a 325° oven for these cookies to finish baking.

By now, it is common to have a small crowd gathering in your kitchen to ask what from what part of heaven did these cookies come.

Traditionally, these pfeffernusse cookies are glazed in a simple powdered sugar and water icing. Instead, we prefer to roll them in some powdered sugar and then get down to business.

Roll the finished pfeffernusse cookies in powdered sugar.

The next and last step of making these pfeffernusse cookies is one of the most challenging. Allow them to cool before you roll them in a coating of white, fluffy, and sweet powdered sugar.

I never seem to have the willpower to wait that long. Plus, I find they taste just a little better if still warm. Isn’t that true of all cookie recipes?!

These pfeffernusse cookies are perfect for any holiday cookie exchange.[/caption]

These pfeffernusse cookies are great for this year’s holiday cookie exchange, and they store well if made ahead of time.

You can keep them in an airtight container, and they stay fresh and delicious tasting for up to two weeks!

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