Pfeffernuesse Recipe

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Categories: Cookie, Dessert, German, Spice

Submitted By: Stephanie Taylor from Corunna.

Pfeffernuesse Notes

Pfeffernuesse means pepper nuts. My husband and I became responsible for making these cookies for the family when we offered a batch made with fresh spices from The Spice House.

My great-grandmother's recipe originally called for 10 cents worth of cassia, cardamom, anise seed and orange peel. Family tradition equates that to 2 tablespoons.

Tradition also calls for these to be kept in a cloth sack and hidden while they age. My great uncle went looking for them one year and set the closet on fire with his candle.
Ingredients
Serves / Yields

1 Pillow Case Full

Preparation Instructions

Cream lard and sugars. Mix in spices and nuts. Combine flour with salt and add, alternating with coffee and soda water.

Dough will be stiff, almost clay like. Roll into small balls the size of nuts. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Roll in powdered sugar when cool. Let age.
Helpful Hints

Using half coffee and half sweet white wine really adds to the flavor.

The flavor gets better with age. Tradition has us making these the day after Thanksgiving so they are ready for Christmas. We store them in a pillow case and hide them, so they will last until the Christmas Season.

Quick Shopping List


Vietnamese "Saigon" Cassia Cinnamon, Whole, Cracked or Ground
Ground, in a glass shaker jar
1/2 cup in shaker jar, net 2 oz.
$4.99
Cloves, Whole or Ground
Ground, in a glass shaker jar
1/2 cup shaker jar, net wt. 2 oz.
$5.49
Allspice Berries, Whole or Ground
Ground, in a glass shaker jar
In a 1/2 cup shaker jar, net wt 2 ounces
$4.99
Nutmeg, Whole Or Ground
Ground, in a glass shaker jar
In a 1/2 cup shaker jar, net wt. 2.5 oz.
$5.49
Cassia Buds
Whole, in a glass shaker jar
In a 1/2 cup jar, net wt 2 oz
$5.99
Green Cardamom, Whole Fancy Pods, Inner Seeds or Ground
Ground, in a glass shaker jar
1/2 cup shaker jar, net wt. 2 oz.
$8.99
Spanish Anise Seed, Whole or Ground
Ground, in a glass shaker jar
In a 1/2 cup shaker jar, net wt 2 ounces
$4.49
Orange Peel Zest
Regular, in a glass jar
In a 1/2 cup jar, net wt. 2 oz.
$4.49
Comments:

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M K. Said:

My mother's recipe is a lot like this one except we had no nuts or coffee/wine. She rolled these very thin and used Christmas cutters. Thery were very dark and the one I am using for an Oktoberfest are not. Is it because of the coffee. A smaller recipe has only a 1/2lb of butter with equal amounts of lard, and 1 pint of white corn syrup. Would the dark be the difference in the color. Now that I found cassia I definitely will try to make them. Thry sound amazing!

Rating:
Make it Again? M K. would make this recipe again.

Evan T. Said:

Looks like an amazing recipe, however are the cassia buds ground or left whole?

Rating:
Make it Again? Evan T. would make this recipe again.

Judith H. Said:

Love it. I purchased all the spices I needed from this site. The cookies are in closet in pillow case and the aroma is fantastic. Of course, I did sneak a few out the other day to try, yummy!!
Judith Ann

Rating:
Make it Again? Judith H. would make this recipe again.

Eileen F. Said:

I'm surprized that no one has reviewed this cookie. I made this cookie a few years ago and look forward to making them every Christmass. I would recommend this spicy treat to everyone. Please give the cassia bud a try, it adds that little something that the cinnamon alone can't produce. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm delish. Eileen Frye

Rating:
Make it Again? Eileen F. would make this recipe again.