Pfeffernusse {Authentic German Recipe!} - Plated Cravings (2024)

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How to make authentic Pfeffernusse! These traditional German iced gingerbread cookies are made with white pepper, and cinnamon, and are a classic holiday treat.

If you’re getting ready for Christmas and need some tasty cookies to add to your baking list, you have to try this authentic German recipe!

Pfeffernusse {Authentic German Recipe!} - Plated Cravings (1)

These traditional German Christmas cookies are similar to Lebkuchen, but they are smaller and have a unique glaze that hardens to a white coating while it dries and adds sweetness.

This recipe is as authentic as it can be without some of the unusual ingredients that you can only get in Germany like Pottasche (potash) and Hirschhornsalz (ammonium carbonate), which traditionally act as a leaving and are substituted with baking soda. In Germany, this recipe is also often made with Zuckerruebensyrup, which is similar to molasses but sweeter, instead of honey.

What are Pfeffernusse cookies?

Pfeffernusse or Peppernuts are small iced gingerbread cookies spiced with cinnamon, white pepper, allspice, and cloves. They get dipped into an eggwhite-based glaze after baking.

Where did they originate?

This recipe is popular in Germany, Denmark, and The Netherlands at Christmas time. They are called Pepernoten in Dutch, Pfeffernuesse in German, and pebernødder in Danish.

How to pronounce Pfeffernusse?

A lot of people have to do a double-take when they see the name written for the first time. The first part, “Pfeffer,” means pepper, and the second part, “Nuesse,” means nuts. The pronunciation is /ˈpfɛfə(ɹ)nuːsə/

Pfeffernusse {Authentic German Recipe!} - Plated Cravings (2)

How to make Pfeffernusse

Detailed measurements and instructions can be found at the bottom of the page on the printable recipe card.

  1. Make the dough: Bring butter, honey, brown sugar, and spices to a boil. Take off heat and stir in flour mixture. Wrap dough and let rest overnight.
  2. Shape cookies: Divide dough into four parts, roll each into a log. Cut off into pieces and roll into balls.
  3. Place balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
  4. Bake: Bake in the lover half of the oven for 10-12 minutes.

More Christmas Cookie Recipes:

  • Linzer Cookies – Cute sandwich cookies filled with jam
  • Zimsterne (Cinnamon Stars) – A cross between a meringue and macaroon cookie
  • Vanillekipferl (Almond Crescent Cookies) – Tender, melt in your mouth cookies, similar to Mexican wedding cookies
  • Nut Corners (Nussecken) – These cookies get cut after baking
  • Marzipan – Perfect as a filling but also tasty rolled into balls
  • Meringue Cookies – Tips and tricks for the best meringue cookies
  • Cornflake Cookies – easy no-bake cookies with a crunch
Pfeffernusse {Authentic German Recipe!} - Plated Cravings (3)

FAQ

How long are Pfeffernusse good? These cookies keep for weeks, stored in a cool place in an airtight container or metal tin.

Can you Freeze Pfeffernusse Cookies? Absolutely! Transfer them to an airtight container or ziplock bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

Where Can I buy Pfeffernusse? If you don’t want to make these cookies yourself, you can find them at ALDI during the Christmas season.

Pfeffernusse {Authentic German Recipe!} - Plated Cravings (4)

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4.88 from 8 votes

Pfeffernusse

By: Julia Foerster

How to make authentic Pfeffernusse! These traditional German iced gingerbread cookies are made with white pepper, cinnamon, and are a classic Holiday treat.

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Resting Time: 1 day day

Total Time: 1 day day 32 minutes minutes

Servings: 32

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 6 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp cloves
  • 1/2 tsp all-spice
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp finely ground white pepper

For the Glaze:

  • 1 egg white
  • 1 Tbsp honey
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

CupsMetric

Instructions

  • In a measuring jug, combine flour and baking soda. Set aside.

  • In a saucepan, combine butter, honey, brown sugar, cloves, all-spice, cinnamon, and finely ground white pepper. Bring to a boil, then take off the heat and quickly stir flour into the mixture. (See notes if the dough is crumbly)

  • Let the dough cool to room temperature, then shape it into a ball and wrap it with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Divide dough into four parts and roll each into a 1/2-inch thick log. Cut each log into 8 pieces and roll them into a small ball. Place balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

  • Bake in the lover half of the oven for 10-12 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately transfer cookies to a cooling rack. Let cookies cool to room temperature.

  • To make the glaze: In a medium bowl, beat egg white with 1 tablespoon of honey. Gradually sift in 1 cup powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Dip cookies in the glaze then place on a rack set up over a baking sheet until coating hardens.

Notes

  • Make sure to measure the flour correctly. I recommend weighing the flour or using the spoon and level method if you use measuring cups.
  • Take the mixture off the heat after it comes to a boil. You shouldn’t boil the mixture for an extended time otherwise you lose too much moisture.
  • If the dough is crumbly after adding the flour add a few tablespoons of heavy cream until you have a shiny, wet-looking dough.
  • Traditionally the dough should rest at least overnight but because this recipe uses baking soda and not Hirschhornsalz which is difficult to find outside of Germany the dough should be used right away after 30 minutes in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 86kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 20mg | Potassium: 16mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 67IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

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Categorized as:
Christmas Recipes,

About Julia Foerster

Hi, I'm Julia! Born in Germany, I call Canada now my home and love to share my favorite dishes with you! Here you'll find hundreds of recipes, all made from scratch, with lots of tips and detailed step-by-step instructions.

Read More About Me

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Pfeffernusse {Authentic German Recipe!} - Plated Cravings (2024)

FAQs

What does pfeffernusse mean in German? ›

The name literally means 'peppernuts', and does not mean it contains nuts. The cookies are roughly the size of nuts and can be eaten by the handful, which may account for the name. They are named for the pinch of pepper added to the dough before baking.

What is the difference between lebkuchen and pfeffernusse? ›

Pfeffernusse and lebkuchen are both similarly flavored with honey and lots of warm baking spices but pfeffernusse are almost always small, rounded cookies coated with a powdered sugar glaze, while lebkuchen may be shaped like regular cookies or cut in bars and are generally glazed with chocolate.

What is unusual about Pfeffernusse? ›

German in origin, these small spice cookies are unusual in that they contain ground candied orange peel and no butter — they bake up quite firm, and are excellent with milk or a hot toddy.

Why does Pfeffernusse taste like licorice? ›

Pfeffernusse have a flavor similar to a traditional gingerbread cookie but have a distinct kick from the ground pepper and a hint of licorice from the anise extract. These cookies hold up really well, so they are perfect for holiday cookie exchanges.

What is a heart cookie in Germany? ›

These sweet cookies are a classic German treat. Be the first to review! These German "gingerbread hearts" (Lebkuchenherz) are a common sight in Bavaria during the fall and winter holidays.

Does Trader Joe's sell Lebkuchen? ›

Our Chocolate Covered Lebkuchen are popular with a certain crowd, but some folks don't like the nuts and spices in these traditional German gingerbread cookies.

Does Aldi have Pfeffernusse cookies? ›

Nutrition Facts in Aldi Pfeffernüsse Gingerbread Cookies

Each serving has 110 calories, 15 grams of sugar, and only a half gram of fat. There's a tiny bit of protein, with 2 grams per serving.

Does Trader Joe's sell Pfeffernusse cookies? ›

Pfeffernüsse are a traditional German treat. The name literally translates to "pepper nuts," but they're really a kind of gingerbread-ish cookie.

How to eat pfeffernusse? ›

Pfeffernusse cookies are packed with an intense spice flavor that will truly tantalize your taste buds! After the cookies cool, they become very hard. Hard enough that they require dipping into a liquid such as cold milk or hot coffee to soften them for eating.

What is a German cookie called? ›

Lebkuchen is a traditional German cookie that is usually baked for Christmas. It is most like a soft gingerbread cookie, made with molasses and full of warm spices. The glaze provides the perfect complement, a little sweet and with a hint of lemon.

Do Germans eat gingerbread? ›

Roughly 80,000 tons are produced annually, most being consumed within Germany. Lebkuchen Schmidt, Nuremberg's most famous baker, has been producing gingerbread since 1601. From its location on the city's Hauptmarkt, where Nuremberg's famous Christmas market takes place each year, Schmidt forms the cookies by hand.

How long does Pfeffernusse last? ›

Pfeffernüsse will keep up to 8 weeks when stored in airtight containers — although you'll undoubtedly eat them long before then! Pfeffernüsse are quite soft when first baked, but quickly become harder. Then as they age (and absorb moisture), they soften somewhat.

Where does glazed Pfeffernusse come from? ›

Pfeffernusse, or “peppernuts,” are little balls of holiday cheer that originated in Germany. It's believed their name comes from the whole spices that are ground into powder to flavor the dough since traditional Pfeffernusse don't contain nuts, despite the name.

What are German cookies that start with AP? ›

Pfeffernusse are German spice cookies. "Pfeffernusse" translates to "peppernuts," which makes sense — these cookies are flavored with a cozy blend of warm spices, including black pepper. They also traditionally contain anise.

How do you say Christmas cookies in German? ›

Go to any German supermarket and from September onwards and you will be met with many different kinds of Christmas cookies — or 'Plätzchen', as they are called here.

What does lebkuchen mean in German? ›

What is Lebkuchen? Lebkuchen (pronounced leyb-koo-kuh n) is a centuries-old German spiced treat traditionally baked during the winter holiday season. While lebkuchen is often translated to English as gingerbread, it's not exactly what most Americans envision when they think of gingerbread.

What is a biscuit called in Germany? ›

Due to the popularity of the Leibniz-Keks, Keks has since become the generic German word for biscuit.

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