German Spice Cookies (Pfeffernusse) German for "pepper nut," pfeffernusse cookies are named for the pinch of pepper added to the dough before baking. It joins a quartet of warm spices -- cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
Of all the tastes of the holidays we can thank Germany for, German spice cookies – or Pfeffernüsse – are an absolute classic! Made with fragrant spices like cinnamon, cloves, and actual ground pepper, these bite-sized cookies are perfect with or without their simple glaze. Pfeffernüsse with a simple glaze!
Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack to fully cool. Once the Pfeffernüsse have cooled sufficiently, prepare the glaze by whisking powdered sugar and lemon juice or water together. You can either dip the top of the cookies into the glaze or brush the glaze onto the top of the cookies.
The difference lies in the fact that Pfeffernüsse are rolled into a ball and include actual ground black pepper in the ingredients. In contrast to Lebkuchen, Pfeffernüsse are also not placed onto “Oblaten” which are very thin wafers. Looking for more holiday cookies to make?