Description
These pfeffernusse cookies feature a blend of warm spices and a bright citrus icing, perfect for a festive treat. The recipe is designed to be easy and enjoyable, transforming simple ingredients into a memorable holiday tradition.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.75 teaspoon ground ginger
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cloves
- 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.25 teaspoon white pepper
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
- 0.25 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- Zest and juice from 1 lemon or orange
- 1.5 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Cream Together: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes) with an electric mixer.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Mix in molasses, egg, and citrus zest until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and white pepper.
- Combine Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined (do not overmix).
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour to make it easier to handle and enhance flavors.
- Roll Cookies: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Roll dough into small, 1-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and centers are set (they will still be soft).
- Cool Cookies: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar with citrus juice until smooth and pourable; adjust consistency with more juice or sugar as needed.
- Dip and Speckle: Dip each completely cooled cookie into the glaze, letting excess drip off. Immediately sprinkle with extra finely grated citrus zest or desired toppings for speckled tops.
Notes
If using salted butter, reduce added salt slightly. For a less deep flavor, apple cider or orange juice can substitute some molasses. Consider a gluten-free flour blend for a GF version. Edible glitter or different colored sprinkles can be used for extra festive ‘speckles.’ Ensure oven temperature is accurate or adjust bake time to prevent dry cookies.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cookies
- Calories: 250 calories
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: pfeffernusse, cookies, citrus, holiday, spiced, baking, easy, festive, dessert, German