QiMeal
Pfeffernüsse
Pfeffernüsse · ready in 1 h 1 min · 8 servings · 324 kcal per serving · easy · 11 ingredients
These German Christmas cookies bake into tender pepper spiced balls, then receive a simple sugar glaze that dries into a snowy festive shell.
- Prep
- 41 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 1 h 1 min
- Serves
- 8
- kcal
- 324
- Difficulty
- easy
Ingredients · 8 servings
- 260 gFlour, sifted
- 120 gMolasses
- 60 gButter, cubed
- 80 gSugar, for dough
- 1Egg, beaten
- 6 gBaking powder
- 6 gSpice, ground
- 2 gPepper, finely ground
- 2 gSalt
- 120 gSugar, powdered for glaze
- 30 mlWater, for glaze
Equipment
stovetop, oven, mixing bowl, saucepan, whisk, baking sheet, parchment paper, spoon, wire rack, oven mitt, small bowl
Instructions
- Mise en place
Gather ingredients, a bowl, saucepan, whisk, baking sheet, parchment, scale, spoon, rack, and oven; weigh each item before mixing. · 8 min
What to look for: All ingredients are measured and tools are ready on the work surface.
- Warm sweet base
Heat molasses, butter, and dough sugar in a saucepan over low heat until smooth, then cool until warm to the touch. · 8 min
What to look for: The butter is melted and the mixture looks glossy.
- Blend dry mix
Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, spice, and pepper in a large bowl until the color and specks look evenly distributed. · 4 min
What to look for: The dry mixture has an even pale beige color with fine spice flecks.
- Make firm dough
Add beaten egg and the warm molasses mixture to the dry mix, then stir until a firm sticky dough forms with no dry flour. · 6 min
What to look for: The dough is dark, sticky, and cohesive.
- Shape cookie balls
Roll the dough into 24 even balls and place them on the lined baking sheet with 3 cm of space between each ball. · 8 min
What to look for: The balls are smooth, even, and spaced apart.
- Bake until puffed
Bake at 175°C / 347°F for 10 to 12 minutes until the cookies are puffed, lightly cracked, and set at the edges. · 12 min
What to look for: The cookies are rounded with small surface cracks.
- Glaze and serve
Stir powdered sugar with water, coat the warm cookies, let the glaze set on a rack, and serve once the shells look snowy and dry. · 15 min
What to look for: The glaze is opaque white and dry to the touch.
Nutrition (per serving)
| kcal | 324 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 62 g |
| of which sugars | 36 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| of which saturated | 4 g |
| Fibre | 1 g |
| Sodium | 193 mg |
Nutri-ScoreE
Allergens
Contains: gluten, milk, eggs
Storage and reheating
- Fridge: up to 7 days
- Freezer: yes, up to 3 months
- Serve at room temperature after the glaze has fully set.
Ingredient substitutions
Egg
- Milk: Use only if egg cannot be used, as the cookies will be softer and less rich.
Water
- Milk: Use milk for a slightly creamier glaze if milk is acceptable.
