Quite the Pfeffer-nüsse!
I’ve been having a bloody battle with British Cinnamon. To me, it doesn’t taste like cinnamon… it merely taste of a weak “essence of spice.” This has been hugely saddening, as SO MANY of my favorite Christmas cookies (aka ALL OF THEM) have heaps of cinnamon within, and without my favorite spice, the cookies seem flat, and like shadows of their former selves. In this way, please only attempt these spice cookies with the corrects nationality of spices (or don’t blame me for tasteless cookies!). With American Cinnamon, these are glorious spiced treats, just as the Germans makes, with a gentle bite within the soft sugary blanket. They are truly Christmas in your mouth. With British Cinnamon, they are basically molasses/treacle cookies, which are still good (!) but no Pfeffernüsse! Proceed with caution, and an “open-minded” mouth…!
Pfeffernüsse
(inspired by last weekend in Berlin!)
1 cup +2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
pinch of ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground all spice
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1/4 cup softened butter
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp light brown sugar
2 tbsp black treacle/molasses
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup powdered sugar (for topping!)
- Pre-heat oven to 350F
- In a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and all the spices, and set it aside.
- In another larger bowl, beat the sugar, butter and treacle together with an electric whisk until smooth.
- Add the eggs, lemon zest and vanilla extract and beat again.
- Fold the flour/spice mixture into the wet mix until completely combined.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment. Form the cookie dough about 2 inches apart in little balls. Bake for about 15-20 minutes.
- Allow cookies to cool, then shake each cookie in a bag of powdered sugar until completely coated. Enjoy these snow-capped treasures!
December 20, 2010 | Categories: Food, Recipes | Tags: christmas, cinnamon, cookies, festive, pfeffernusse, spice, spice cookies | Leave a comment