Introducing a delectable treat straight from the heart of festive baking traditions: Pfeffernusse, a delightful German spice cookie that’s sure to infuse your kitchen with the warmth and aroma of the holiday season. This cherished recipe, meticulously crafted and shared by lovewithrecipes.com, encapsulates the essence of coziness and culinary tradition, making it an ideal addition to your dessert repertoire, whether you’re celebrating Christmas or simply craving a sweet indulgence on a cozy weeknight.
Pfeffernusse embodies the spirit of simplicity and conviviality, with a total preparation time of just 2 hours and 12 minutes, including a mere 12 minutes of actual cooking time. With a few basic ingredients and a touch of patience, you’ll soon find yourself savoring the irresistible charm of these spiced cookies.
To embark on your Pfeffernusse baking adventure, gather the following ingredients: 1/4 cup butter, 2 tablespoons margarine, 2 cups brown sugar, 1 1/2 eggs, 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 cup pecans, and 1/2 cup candied citron peel.
With these ingredients at the ready, let’s delve into the step-by-step process of creating these heavenly delights:
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Begin by creaming together 1/2 cup of butter and the brown sugar in a large bowl, using a mixer set to medium speed. Blend them together until the mixture achieves a smooth and creamy consistency.
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Next, add the eggs to the butter-sugar mixture, one at a time, and continue beating until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This step ensures that the eggs are fully incorporated, contributing to the cookies’ rich texture and flavor.
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In a separate small bowl, dissolve the baking soda in 1 tablespoon of hot water, stirring until completely dissolved. Then, add this mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, incorporating it thoroughly.
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In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour with the ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, and salt. Mix these dry ingredients together until evenly distributed, forming a fragrant and aromatic blend of spices.
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Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, stirring until fully incorporated. Use your mixer to ensure thorough blending, resulting in a homogeneous dough that’s infused with the essence of spices.
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Once the dough is well mixed, gently fold in the pecans and candied citron peel, distributing them evenly throughout the dough. These additions provide delightful bursts of flavor and texture, elevating the cookies to new heights of indulgence.
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Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a log, approximately 11 inches long and 1 1/2 inches in diameter. This step helps to create uniform cookies with a consistent shape and size, ensuring even baking.
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Wrap the dough logs individually in waxed paper and place them in the freezer until firm, typically for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough not only makes it easier to slice but also helps to enhance the cookies’ texture and flavor.
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Once the dough is sufficiently chilled, remove it from the freezer and unwrap it. Using a sharp knife, cut the dough logs crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds, ensuring uniformity in thickness for even baking.
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Arrange the cookie rounds on buttered baking sheets, spacing them approximately 1 inch apart to allow for spreading during baking. If desired, you can line the baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), whether it’s a regular or convection oven. Bake the cookies for 8 to 12 minutes, or until they are lightly browned and fragrant. If you’re using multiple baking sheets, rotate their positions halfway through the baking process to ensure even browning.
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Once baked to perfection, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Then, using a wide spatula, carefully transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
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As the cookies cool, indulge in the tantalizing aroma that fills your kitchen, heralding the arrival of a batch of freshly baked Pfeffernusse. These aromatic treats are best enjoyed with a cup of hot cocoa or a steaming mug of mulled cider, embracing you in a warm embrace of holiday cheer.
With a recipe yield of 72 cookies, there’s plenty to share with loved ones or to savor throughout the season. Each bite of these spice-infused delights is a testament to the joy of baking and the warmth of the holiday spirit, making Pfeffernusse a cherished tradition in homes around the world.
Nutritionally, each serving of these delectable cookies offers a burst of flavor alongside a modest calorie count of 72.8, with 3.1 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 9.3 milligrams of cholesterol, 55.9 milligrams of sodium, 10.6 grams of carbohydrates, 0.4 grams of fiber, 6 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein.
Embrace the joy of holiday baking with this delightful Pfeffernusse recipe, brought to you by lovewithrecipes.com. Whether enjoyed as a festive treat or a sweet indulgence on a cozy evening, these spiced cookies are sure to become a beloved favorite in your culinary repertoire, spreading joy and warmth with every delicious bite.
