Pfeffernüsse (Peppernuts)

Pfeffernüsse are tiny spice cookies, about the size of a small marble, popular as a holiday treat in Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• Confectioners' sugar (optional)

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan combine molasses and butter. Cook and stir over low heat until butter melts. Pour into a large bowl; cool to room temperature.
2. In a medium bowl stir together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, cardamom, allspice and pepper; set aside.
3. Stir egg into molasses mixture.
4. Stir in flour mixture until combined, kneading in flour mixture, if necessary.
5. Divide dough in half. Wrap and chill for 1 to 2 hours or until dough is easy to handle.
6. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
7. Divide half of the dough into 6 portions. On a lightly floured surface or wooden board, roll each portion of the dough into a 10 inch rope, about 1/2 inch thick. Cut ropes crosswise into 1/2 inch pieces. Place pieces 1/2 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
8. Bake for about 10 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are light brown.
9. Transfer to paper towels and let cool. Repeat with remaining dough.
10. Roll in confectioners' sugar, if desired, but this is an American touch!

Attribution

Photo credit: a6/3001d1e7 hcwoodward on VisualHunt / CC BY-NC-ND