If you're dreaming of cozy holiday aromas and spicy-sweet bites, this Pfeffernüsse Cookies Recipe is a classic you'll want to try. Pfeffernüsse are traditional German spice cookies, perfect for chilly days when you want something soft, fragrant, and lightly dusted with powdered sugar. I love making them around the holidays, but honestly, they're so good you'll want to bake a batch any time you crave something comforting and flavorful.
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In the Kitchen
This Pfeffernüsse Cookies Recipe brings a spicy, chewy cookie to your tray that’s both nostalgic and incredibly satisfying. It’s an accessible recipe, perfect for bakers of all levels who want a sweet treat that’s bursting with warmth and character.
- Juicy and Tender Every Time: The combination of molasses and honey keeps these cookies wonderfully moist and gives that signature deep, rich flavor.
- Golden, Satisfying Finish: Baking just until firm ensures a soft chew inside and a slight crisp on the outside that’s addicting.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Impact: Spices like cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and black pepper add complex warmth without fuss.
- Weeknight to Weekend Ready: The dough rests in the fridge which lets you prep ahead and bake when ready, making life easier.
Ingredients at a Glance
Choosing quality ingredients will make a noticeable difference in your Pfeffernüsse Cookies Recipe. Fresh spices and real molasses create the needed depth, and the right flour helps the texture stay tender but sturdy.
- Molasses: Use unsulfured blackstrap molasses for rich, robust flavor and its deep color.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and moisture; a mild-flavored honey works best to let spices shine.
- Butter: Unsalted, at room temperature for smooth mixing and balanced richness.
- Brown Sugar: Adds caramel notes and helps keep the cookies soft.
- All-Purpose Flour: The right structure for tender yet chewy cookies.
- Ground Spices: Freshly ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and black pepper for maximum aroma and bite.
- Powdered Sugar: For that traditional snowy coating once the cookies come out warm from the oven.
Heads-Up: Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom.
How to Make Pfeffernüsse Cookies Recipe
Step 1 — Warm and Melt the Sweet Base
Start by combining the molasses, honey, butter, and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently as the butter melts and the sugar dissolves into a glossy, dark amber syrup. This process shouldn't take more than a few minutes. Once smooth, take it off the heat and let it cool just enough so it won’t cook the egg in the next step—warm to the touch but not hot.
Step 2 — Sift, Spice, and Mix Your Dry Ingredients
While the molasses mixture cools, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and the full line-up of spices—cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and that distinctive black pepper. I like to give this a good mix to distribute the spices evenly. The warm aroma will start filling your kitchen, hinting at what's to come.
Step 3 — Bring It All Together with the Egg
Pour the cooled molasses blend into the bowl with the flour and spices, then crack in the egg. Stir everything together until a soft dough forms—if it feels sticky, don't worry, it will firm up after chilling. This is when the magic happens, as the scents mingle and the dough becomes easier to handle.
Step 4 — Chill and Relax
Cover your dough with plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge for at least two hours. This step is key—it allows the flour to hydrate fully and the spices to infuse, resulting in cookies that are tender yet perfectly chewy. I often leave mine overnight when life gets busy; they come out even better.
Step 5 — Shape and Bake Your Pfeffernüsse Cookies Recipe
Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and space them out evenly. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cookies feel firm to touch but are still soft inside. You'll notice the edges slightly set while the center remains invitingly tender.
Step 6 — Powdered Sugar Coating
Let the cookies cool just enough that they’re warm but not piping hot. Then, roll each one in powdered sugar for that signature dusty look and subtle sweetness. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before serving—you’ll love the contrast of the slightly crisped surface and the spicy, chewy center.
Things to Remember
Baking Pfeffernüsse Cookies Recipe is all about balancing the warmth of spices and moisture from the molasses-honey mix. Keep these notes in mind to ensure success every time you bake.
- Doneness Cue: Look for edges that are set and a firm top while the center still has a slight give—it ensures a tender bite.
- Temperature Trick: Don’t bake the cookies cold from the fridge—it’s fine, but letting them rest a few minutes on the counter before rolling makes shaping easier.
- Make-Ahead Move: The dough freezes beautifully if wrapped tightly; thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
- Common Pitfall: Avoid overbaking as it dries out these tender cookies; watch carefully in the last few minutes.
Ways to Serve It
Finishing Touches
Rolling Pfeffernüsse cookies in powdered sugar right off the warm baking sheet is a must—it creates that classic look and an extra layer of sweetness that complements the spicy dough perfectly. For a festive twist, I sometimes dust an additional pinch of cinnamon sugar on top after the powdered sugar coating sets.
Plays Well With
These cookies are delightful alongside a hot cup of coffee or mulled wine. I also love serving them with a tangy citrus marmalade or a creamy vanilla custard for a little contrast. Their spice pairs nicely with mild cheeses like creamy Brie if you’re feeling adventurous.
Simple Plating Upgrades
For holiday platters, arrange these cookies on a tray with sprigs of fresh rosemary or pine branches for aroma and color. Dust extra powdered sugar with a small sieve for that snowy effect. Even on a casual weeknight, a pretty plate with a few nuts or dried cranberry clusters adds an inviting touch without much effort.
Make-Ahead & Keeping Fresh
Storing Leftovers
Store Pfeffernüsse cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. You'll notice the texture remains tender but slightly chewy, just like fresh. If they soften too much, popping them in a 300°F oven for a few minutes refreshes that slight crisp outside.
Freezing Tips
These cookies freeze well when tightly wrapped in plastic and placed in a sealed bag or container. Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight at room temperature or warm briefly in the oven before serving for fresh-from-the-oven flavor.
Reheating Pfeffernüsse Cookies Recipe Without Drying Out
To reheat, I recommend a quick toast in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes or a short 10-second zap in the microwave with a tiny damp paper towel nearby to keep moisture in. An air fryer at 300°F for 3–4 minutes also revives their crisp edge beautifully without drying out the chewy center.
Frequently Asked Questions
“Pfeffernüsse” translates to “peppernuts” in German, referring to the bright spicy kick from black pepper in the dough. This uncommon spice adds warmth and a slight bite that balances the sweetness and other warming spices.
Molasses gives Pfeffernüsse its characteristic dark color and deep flavor. You can substitute with dark corn syrup or a mix of brown sugar and honey, but the flavor and texture may be less complex.
Properly stored in an airtight container, Pfeffernüsse stay fresh for about five days at room temperature. Freezing extends this to several months while preserving taste and texture.
Traditional Pfeffernüsse are made with all-purpose flour and are not gluten-free. You could experiment with gluten-free flour blends, but texture and flavor might differ.
Final Thoughts
Making this Pfeffernüsse Cookies Recipe feels like a warm tradition every time I mix up the dough and enjoy the spicy-sweet scent filling my kitchen. They're simple, soulful, and just a little bit special. Whether you’re gifting jars of these cookies or savoring them curled up with a good book, I hope they bring that same cozy joy to your home this season.
PrintFull Printable Recipe
Pfeffernüsse Cookies Recipe
Traditional Pfeffernüsse Cookies are soft, spiced molasses cookies coated in powdered sugar. These festive treats feature warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and a hint of black pepper, balanced with honey and molasses for rich sweetness. Chilled dough creates the perfect chewy texture with a delicate spice flavor, ideal for holiday baking.
- Total Time: 2 hours 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup molasses
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For Coating
- Powdered sugar for coating
Instructions
- Prepare Molasses Mixture: In a small saucepan, combine molasses, honey, butter, and brown sugar. Heat over medium heat until the butter has melted and the sugar is fully dissolved. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly to avoid cooking the egg in the next step.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and black pepper until well combined to evenly distribute the spices and leavening.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the cooled molasses mixture into the dry ingredients. Add the egg and mix until a cohesive dough forms. The dough will be slightly sticky but firm enough to roll.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours. This resting time helps the dough firm up and allows the flavors to meld.
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and place them spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheets, allowing room for slight spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 12 minutes until they are firm to the touch but still soft inside. Avoid overbaking to keep the desired chewy texture.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar: Remove cookies from the oven and let cool slightly for a few minutes until warm but not hot. Roll each cookie in powdered sugar to coat thoroughly.
- Cool Completely: Transfer the coated cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely before serving to set the sugar coating and enhance texture.
Notes
- Be sure to chill the dough for at least 2 hours; this helps the dough firm up for easier shaping and improves the cookie texture.
- You can substitute unsalted butter for salted if you prefer better control over salt levels.
- Powdered sugar coating can be added again after cookies have fully cooled if needed for a more intense coating.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or freeze for longer storage.
- Adjust spices to taste, especially black pepper, which adds a unique warming kick that balances the sweet molasses flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
- Diet: Vegetarian
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