German Spice Cookies Recipe (2024)

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German Spice Cookies are also known as Pfeffernüsse cookies in Germany. This traditional German cookie is served at Christmastime in Germany and is much like our gingerbread cookies. The difference is they are made in the perfect bite size and coated with a heavy coating of sweet powdered sugar.

German Spice Cookies Recipe (1)

When you are making and baking these German Spice Cookies your home will smell amazing. These cookies travel well and the flavor of spice cookies just gets better with time.

The outside of spice cookies are firm while the center is tender making German Spice cookies the perfect cookies for shipping because they are not delicate.

German Spice Cookies are the perfect cookie if you are mailing out a box of goodies for a loved one. They also last a very long time before going stale.

German Spice Cookies Recipe (2)

Ingredients Needed

  • unbleached all purpose flour
  • baking powder
  • baking soda
  • ground cinnamon
  • ground black pepper
  • ground ginger
  • ground cardamom
  • ground cloves
  • softened butter
  • granulated sugar
  • a large egg
  • dark molasses
  • powdered sugar
German Spice Cookies Recipe (3)

Let's make the recipe

Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and spices in a bowl and set aside.

German Spice Cookies Recipe (4)

Use a whisk to evenly blend the spices with the dry ingredients.

German Spice Cookies Recipe (5)

In a large bowl beat the butter until creamy. Add the sugar and beat until combined.

German Spice Cookies Recipe (6)

Add the egg and molasses to the bowl and beat until completely combined.

German Spice Cookies Recipe (7)

Beat the flour into the butter mixture. If your mixer starts to strain switch to a wooden spoon.

German Spice Cookies Recipe (8)

Cover the bowl and refrigerate so the dough firms up.

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Once the dough has firmed up form dough into small balls. Use a dough scoop to make the dough balls the same size. Or use a teaspoon to measure before rolling the balls.

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Bake the cookies 12 to 14 minutes or until the cookie is a light golden brown. Remove the baked cookies from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before dusting the warm cookies with sifted powdered sugar.

German Spice Cookies Recipe (11)

Use a small fine meshed wire strainer to dust the warm cookies with powdered sugar.

German Spice Cookies Recipe (12)

Recipe FAQs

What are Pfeffernüsse cookies

Pfeffernüsse cookies are German Spice cookies a traditional German Christmas cookie recipe that is packed full of flavor of traditional Christmas spices.

What spices are in German Pfeffernüsse Spice Cookies?

German Spice Cookies are made with ground cinnamon, ground black pepper, ground ginger, ground cardamom and ground cloves.

Does baking cookies on parchment paper make a difference?

Parchment paper helps cookies bake evenly on the bottom and keeps the cookie from sticking to the pan.

Recipe Expert Tips

  • Spices: You can use ground spices from the grocery store or you can grind some of the whole spices yourself. I used a mortar and pestle to grind the whole cloves, whole pepper and whole cardamom pods.
  • Parchment Paper: I bake all of my cookies on parchment paper lined cookie sheets except for Almond Spritz cookies. Have you ever baked cookies and one half of the cookies are unevenly baked on the bottom and some of the cookies are baked perfectly golden brown? This is the difference parchment paper makes when you line cookie sheets with it when baking cookies. Parchment paper also makes clean up a breeze. Just discard the parchment paper and rise the cookie sheet well and you are done.
  • Forming the cookie balls: A dough scoop comes in very handy when making uniform shaped balls of cookie dough.
  • Dusting with sugar: Dust the cookies with sugar while they are still warm or the sugar will not stick to the cookies.

Best Christmas Cookies for Shipping

If you need a Christmas cookie recipe that ships well you can send a box of these Christmas cookies to family and friends.

German Spice Cookies Recipe (13)

More Christmas Cookies from FOMF

  • German Spritz Cookies (Butter Cookies)
  • Mexican Wedding Cookies
  • Christmas Sandwich Cookies

More Christmas Cookies from friends of FOMF

German Spice Cookies Recipe (14)
German Spice Cookies Recipe (15)

Email questions or recipe requests to flouronmyface@gmail.com. Follow me on Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

German Spice Cookies Recipe (16)

German Spice Cookies Recipe

Arlene Mobley - Flour On My Face

German Spice Cookies Recipe are little pillows of a cookie. This German Christmas cookies is slightly crunch, sweet from the powdered sugar and packed full of Christmas spicy flavors.

5 from 5 votes

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Prep Time 18 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine German

Servings 50 Cookies

Calories 66 kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon ground cardamon
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground )
  • 1 cup butter (softened)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup dark molasses
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

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Instructions

  • In a large bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt until combined well.

  • Add the ground cinnamon. ground cloves, ground cardamon and ground black pepper to bowl and whisk to blend the ground spices with the flour mixture. Set aside.

  • In a separate large mixing bowl beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar until fluffy. Add the egg and beat for one minute.

  • Add the dark molasses to the bowl and beat until the molasses is completely combined with the sugar mixture.

  • Add the flour to the bowl with the wet ingredients in increments beating on low with a hand mixer until all of the flour is mixed in. If your mixer begins to strain switch to a wooden spoon.

  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour or can be chilled over night if necessary.

  • Preheat the oven to 375 F. if using aluminum baking sheets and 350 F. if using dark non-stick cookie sheets.

  • Once the dough has chilled form balls with a dough scoop or a tablespoon. Roll into balls and place on a greased or parchment paper covered cookie sheet. allow 2 inches between each cookie.

  • Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until the cookie is a light golden brown. Remove the baked cookies from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before dusting the warm cookies with sifted powdered sugar.

  • Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and allow to cool.

  • Store cooled cookies in an air tight container for up to a week. Freeze cookies for up to three months if needed.

Video

Recipe Expert Tips

  • Spices: You can use ground spices from the grocery store or you can grind some of the whole spices yourself. I used a mortar and pestle to grind the whole cloves, whole pepper and whole cardamom pods.
  • Parchment Paper: I bake all of my cookies on parchment paper lined cookie sheets except for Almond Spritz cookies. Have you ever baked cookies and one half of the cookies are unevenly baked on the bottom and some of the cookies are baked perfectly golden brown? This is the difference parchment paper makes when you line cookie sheets with it when baking cookies. Parchment paper also makes clean up a breeze. Just discard the parchment paper and rise the cookie sheet well and you are done.
  • Forming the cookie balls: A dough scoop comes in very handy when making uniform shaped balls of cookie dough.
  • Dusting with sugar: Dust the cookies with sugar while they are still warm or the sugar will not stick to the cookies.

Nutrition

Serving: 1CookieCalories: 66kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 59mgPotassium: 42mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 13IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

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More Christmas Cookies

  • Blue and White Christmas Cookies
  • Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
  • Pillsbury Funfetti Christmas Cookies
  • Reindeer Christmas Cookies

About Arlene Mobley

Arlene Mobley author of Flour On My Face-a Food & Lifestyle website helping busy families get dinner on the table by serving easy recipes every week.

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German Spice Cookies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular cookie in Germany? ›

Lebkuchen. This traditional German cookie is one of the most popular around Christmastime because it has those classic gingerbread flavors.

What does Pfeffernüsse mean in German? ›

The name literally means 'peppernuts', and does not mean it contains nuts. The cookies are roughly the size of nuts and can be eaten by the handful, which may account for the name. They are named for the pinch of pepper added to the dough before baking.

What is a German cookie that starts with AP? ›

Pfeffernüsse. Tiny, crunchy, gently-spiced cookies, Pfeffernüsse (“peppernuts”) are a popular Advent treat in Germany as well as The Netherlands and Denmark. Here, they're enjoyed throughout the Christmas season, and are particularly good with a cup of coffee.

What are German cookies made of? ›

This traditional German spice cookie features cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, anise, cinnamon, and, of course, pepper. "This is by far the very best Pfeffernusse recipe I've ever made," says Anna. "I suggest making the cookies by the recipe the first time.

What are German spice cookies called? ›

Bursting with flavour, these German spice cookies known as pfeffernüsse, are considered a holiday treat.

What is a heart cookie in Germany? ›

However, there's another special treat you will see being sold in the Bavarian Markets during the festival: Lebkuchenherzen. Lebkuchen refers to German gingerbread, while herzen means heart! These hearts are adorned with names or sweet sayings similar to Valentine's cookies, and given to loved ones.

What is a German gingerbread heart called? ›

Lebkuchenherzen have become a staple in German celebrations, especially around Oktoberfest and Christmas time. They're typically decorated with intricate icing designs and lettering, including endearing or funny messages. Try your hand at making them and share them with someone you love!

What is the difference between lebkuchen and pfeffernusse? ›

Pfeffernusse and lebkuchen are both similarly flavored with honey and lots of warm baking spices but pfeffernusse are almost always small, rounded cookies coated with a powdered sugar glaze, while lebkuchen may be shaped like regular cookies or cut in bars and are generally glazed with chocolate.

Are Biscoff cookies German? ›

The story of Lotus Biscoff starts in 1932 in a local bakery in Lembeke, a Belgian town. The unique recipe was brought to perfection with carefully selected natural ingredients. Today, Lotus Bakeries is still family-owned and based in its home town. And from there, the tasty cookie continues to conquer the world.

What are the Oktoberfest cookies called? ›

Then there's the wildly popular Lebkuchenhertz which are sold at Oktoberfest, Christmas markets and at some bakeries around Germany. Lebkuchenhertz is Gingerbread heart cookies in South Africa we call them biscuits.

What is the old name for cookies? ›

While the English primarily referred to cookies as small cakes, seed biscuits, or tea cakes, or by specific names, such as jumbal or macaroon, the Dutch called the koekjes, a diminutive of koek (cake)...

What are biscuits called in Germany? ›

The word Keks in Leibniz-Keks was originally a corruption of the English word "cakes" by Bahlsen (who had originally called his product "cakes" but found out that this was mispronounced by the German public). Due to the popularity of the Leibniz-Keks, Keks has since become the generic German word for biscuit.

What is special about German bakery? ›

German bread is unlike any other bread known to Europe. It is dark, chewy and dense, composed mainly of whole grains, such as rye, spelt, and millet. Wheat is taking a back-seat compared to other countries, where it is the dominant grain, resulting in lighter, whiter and starchier (and less healthy) bread types.

Are snickerdoodles German? ›

If you've ever wondered how snickerdoodles came to be, you've come to the right place. The cinnamon cookie that we know and love was likely brought to America by Dutch-German immigrants, cookbook author Ann Byrn says in American Cookie.

What is Europe's favorite cookie? ›

Often served as a side to coffee, Biscoff Cookies are well-known for its unique caramelized flavor. Lotus Biscoff Europe's Favorite Cookie with Coffee 4.3 oz bags come in a pack of 12. Ingredients: Wheat Flour, Sugar, Vegetable Oils, Brown Sugar, Sodium Bicarbonate, Soy Flour, Salt, Cinnamon.

What is a German biscuit called? ›

With origins in a German-speaking Central European country, the Empire Biscuit started life in the UK being known by names such as the Deutsch Biscuit or, more commonly, the German Biscuit.

What are the famous wafers in Germany? ›

The Original Neapolitan Wafers are Manner's classic and best selling product and have become a symbol of Viennese culture and lifestyle. Manner's beloved wafers have been a part of our lives for many generations.

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