Pfeffernusse German Spice Cookies
These classic German holiday cookies are soft, chewy, and coated in powdered sugar, featuring a warm blend of spices and a hint of pepper. Perfect for festive gatherings, gifting, or cozy winter afternoons.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 59 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: German
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling after baking)
Instructions
- Measure out all ingredients before you start. Let butter and egg come to room temperature (about 30 minutes).
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, white pepper, cardamom (if using), and salt until well combined.
- In another bowl, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and honey until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Beat in the egg and milk until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until a thick, sticky dough forms.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out dough into 1-inch balls. Roll gently between your palms.
- Arrange balls on the baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each. Bake for 12–14 minutes, until tops are set and edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies rest on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
- When cookies are barely warm, roll them in powdered sugar until well coated. For extra snowy effect, roll twice.
- Let cookies cool completely before storing. They’ll firm up as they cool.
Notes
Chilling the dough is essential for the best texture and flavor. For gluten-free or dairy-free adaptations, substitute flour, butter, and milk as needed. Add orange zest for a citrus twist or nuts for extra crunch. Coat cookies in powdered sugar when just warm for the best snowy look.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (about 20g)
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 45
- Fat: 2.5
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 0.4
- Protein: 1.3
Keywords: Pfeffernusse, German cookies, holiday cookies, spice cookies, Christmas cookies, powdered sugar, easy cookies, traditional, festive, winter baking