Mommy Sugars Pepper Nuts Pfeffernusse Pebernodder Recipes

PFEFFERNüSSE (GERMAN "PEPPER-NUT" CHRISTMAS COOKIES)

Steps:

• Combine white and brown sugars in a saucepan with honey, water, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and cayenne pepper. Place over medium heat and whisk until the sugars dissolve and it just starts to simmer, 1 to 2 minutes. Immediately remove from the heat and let cool for 4 to 5 minutes.
• Add salt, baking soda, heavy cream, and egg and whisk until thoroughly combined. Add flour and stir together with a wooden spoon until everything comes together as a dough.
• Transfer dough to a piece of plastic wrap. Press into a ball and wrap tightly. Place in the refrigerator and let rest for 1 to 2 days.
• When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Remove dough from the refrigerator and scoop into rounded teaspoons. Roll each one into a smooth ball if desired, and place on a prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the center of the preheated oven until cookies are perfectly dome-shaped with light golden brown bottoms, 9 to 10 minutes; don't overbake. Let cool on the pan all the way down to room temperature, 20 to 30 minutes.
• While the cookies are cooling, repeat Steps 5 and 6 to shape and bake the remaining cookies.
• Make icing by placing powdered sugar in a bowl. Stir in lemon juice, a few teaspoons at a time, until icing is very thick, but still slightly runny.
• Dip the top of each cooled cookie into the icing. Let it drip, then flip it over and place on a wire rack set over a piece of parchment paper and let harden.

PEPPER NUTS PFEFFERNUSSE

Steps:

• FOR THE PFEFFERNUSSE: Beat eggs with both sugars until mixture is very thick and almost white. Add lemon rind, fruit, peel, and almonds and mix well. Sift flour with baking powder and spices and stir into egg mixture.
• Knead on a floured board until smooth. Shape into long rolls about 1 inch in diameter and cut into 1/2 to 3/4 inch slices. Arrange on 3 or 4 large buttered cookie sheets and let DRY uncovered in a cool room or refrigerator overnight.
• Just before baking, turn over each cookie and sprinkle with rum, brandy, or arrack.
• Bake in preheated 300°F oven for about 20 minutes.
• Roll each cookie in confectioner's sugar while warm, or let cool and ice.
• These last for weeks if stored in an airtight container. Makes about 9 dozen cookies.
• VARIATION: Any of spices mentioned are optional and to taste. Candied fruits are usually omitted in Scandinavia and 1 1/2 teaspoons powdered ginger is substituted for pepper.
• In Pennsylvania Dutch country this dough (Pefferniss) is allowed to ripe at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, after which it is shaped into rolls, chilled and cut as described. It is then baked without being dried.
• FOR THE WHITE SUGAR GLAZE: For cookies and cakes, and especially for Lebkuchen.
• Combine sugar, cornstarch, flavoring and rum or brandy. Gradually stir in hot water, a tablespoonful at a time, until you have a smooth thick paste. Spread on warm cookies. If mixture cools and thickens as you work, thin with additional hot water. Sugar sprinkles can be scattered on the glaze before it hardens. Makes 1/4 cup, or enough to ice about fifteen 1 1/2 inch cookies.
• Visions Of Sugarplums.

MOMMY SUGAR'S PEPPER NUTS (PFEFFERNUSSE-PEBERNODDER)

Steps:

• 1. With a heavy duty mixer, blend together eggs and sugar. Beat until creamy.
• 2. Add molasses, vanilla, and orange zest. Beat 3-4 minutes on medium speed until well blended.
• 3. Measure 4 level cups of plain flour and reserve 1/2 cup for later. Sift together remaining 3-1/2 cups plain flour, baking powder, and spices.
• 4. In a bowl, coat candied citron and nuts with the reserved 1/2 cup of plain flour.
• 5. Slowly add flour and spice mixture to batter and blend on fold/low speed just until blended.
• 6. Gently fold in citron & nuts. Dough will be very thick and sticky.
• 7. Place dough in air tight container and refrigerate overnight. This allows your spices to combine together for maximum spiciness! :)
• 8. Roll dough out onto floured surface.
• 9. Cut out with cookie cutters OR drop by rounded spoonfuls and flatten out. Decorate as desired.
• 10. Place on a cookie-sheet coated with cooking spray or parchment paper.
• 11. Bake 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Edges should be slightly browned.