Peppernuts have been a Christmas tradition in Europe since the 1800s. In more recent history, my family has made these our own tradition. Peppernuts are a small cookie, mostly flavored with anise oil, but this tastes completely different than black licorice. The cookies are quickly whipped up, but take a little time to roll out and cut. These are so worth the wait and are my favorite with a cup of coffee (I always dip mine and savor each bite-size cookie).
Hopefully, you can make this your new family tradition this year and for many to come!
Pfeffernüsse
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Pfeffernüsse, by Aldi
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Alternative names
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Peppernuts
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Type
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Cookie
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Place of origin
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Denmark, Germany, Netherlands
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Main ingredients
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cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, black pepper, mace, anise, sugar, butter, eggs, flour
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Watch how to make these peppernuts:
- ▢ 1 cup lard (or vegetable shortening)
- ▢ 1 cup molasses
- ▢ 2 cups white granulated sugar
- ▢ 1 large egg
- ▢ ¼ tsp real anise oil
- ▢ ½ cup sour milk (1 tbsp vinegar with ½ cup milk)
- ▢ 2 tsp baking soda
- ▢ 6 cups all-purpose flour
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix the lard and molasses, 30 seconds. Add the sugar, egg, anise oil, sour milk, and mix well, 1 minute. Add baking soda and flour and mix until only a few streaks of flour remain, 1 minute.
- Shape into cylindrical rolls approximately ½-inch to ¾-inch in diameter. Chill overnight and cut into ¼-inch pieces.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on pan for 5 minutes. Using a spatula, scrape the peppernuts into an airtight container. Store for up to three months in the freezer.
Peppernuts: How Its Made
FAQ
What does Pfeffernusse mean in English?
Why does Pfeffernusse taste like licorice?
Is Pfeffernusse the same as gingerbread?
What is unusual about Pfeffernusse?
What are the ingredients in a peppernut?
The one main ingredient that seems to have a general consensus from the group is that anise (most recipes use anise oil) is an absolute must in a true peppernut. Beyond that, most recipes use ground cinnamon and ground ginger, and then others add various combinations of cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and some use ground nuts or nut flour.
What type of fats are present in walnuts?
Walnuts are mainly composed of good quality fats, polyunsaturated fatty acids. These good fats in nuts are able to protect the heart and help reduce total blood cholesterol levels.
Where are peppernuts made?
The Peppernut Factory produces peppernuts in a rural commercial kitchen at Prairie Meadow, 7321 S.E. 45th St., Tecumseh, Kansas, 66542 | 785.379.8848.
What do peppernuts taste like?
Spring and summer peppernuts are flavored with rosemary, lavender, herbs and other edible flowers. There are shoofly pie peppernuts, reminiscent of a Pennsylvania Dutch pie, or for the brave, vampire kisses—loaded with cinnamon, ghost peppers and scorpion peppers. Bauer describes them as “the little peppernuts that bite back!”