Pfeffernusse German Christmas Cookies

4.93 from 27 votes

Posted by Dan from Platter Talk

on Nov 29, 2018, Updated Nov 27, 2020

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

Christmas cookies and a cup of coffee

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

Table of Contents

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.

A plate of white Christmas 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.

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

  • Anise Extract
  • Cardamon
  • Allspice
  • Nutmeg
  • Cloves
  • Ground Pepper
  • Molasses
  • Honey
A bunch of cookie ingredients

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!

Pouring ingredients into a pan

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, and if you recall, it has a sweet, aromatic taste similar to black licorice.

Adding ingredients to a mixing bowl

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.

Whisking ingredients in a bowl

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.

cookies on a baking sheet next to a Christmas gift

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.

A bunch of cookies on a rack

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.

A plate of pfeffernusse cookies

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?!

A bag of Christmas cookies

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!

A stack of pfeffernusse cookies

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Pfeffernuse Cookies

4.93 from 27 votes
Pfeffernüsse Cookies are a German shortbread cookie that will add warmth and flavor to this years holiday cookie exchange!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Total: 27 minutes
Yield: 16
By: Dan from Platter Talk

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup butter, unsalted
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp anise extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cardamon
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • 1/2 tsp cloves
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar, for outside coating
US Customary – Metric

Instructions 

  • Use a small saucepan and combine butter, molasses, and honey over medium-low heat. After the mixture has melted together, remove from heat and allow to cool. Add the egg and anise extract, stir it in and set aside.
  • Use a large mixing bowl and mix up the remaining dry ingredients, except for the powdered sugar. Combine the dry and wet ingredients and form into a ball of dough. Wrap it up in plastic kitchen wrap and allow to cool in the refrigerator for an hour.
  • Preheat your oven to 325° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. After the dough is chilled, roll out the cookies into 1 inch balls. Bake for 12 minutes and allow to cool. Roll in powdered sugar and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 152kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 18mg, Sodium: 104mg, Potassium: 102mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 17g, Vitamin A: 103IU, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine: Christmas, German, Holiday
Tried this recipe?Mention @plattertalk or tag #plattertalk!

My Favorite Christmas Cookies

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Dan & Scott split their time between Wisconsin and Southwest Florida and are dads to six boys. Good food runs through their veins, and they love showing others how to cook easy recipes.

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4.93 from 27 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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33 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    These cookies were absolutely fabulous. I wanted to try a cookie from my German culture and I picked this one. I will be making these for a dessert charcuterie board I am taking to our family cookie exchange. I can’t wait for my sisters to try these, I wish my mom could have tried these.

    Reply

  5. 5 stars
    Just made these. The first bite bright me right back to me first overseas posting to Augsburg 28 years ago. Very easy to make, and I only needed to run out for the anise.

    Reply