Skip to content
LumaxisLumaxis
All recipes

German·Dessert

Spiced Honey Pfeffernüsse Cookies

A classic German holiday spice cookie, traditionally called 'peppernuts,' featuring a warm blend of cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg with a hint of cayenne, finished with a bright lemon glaze.

Prep

20m

Cook

10m

Total

1470m

Serves

48

Method

  1. 01

    Add white sugar, brown sugar, honey, water, and all spices (cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, allspice, clove, and cayenne) to a saucepan.

    Step 1
    Watch · 0:54
  2. 02

    Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugars have dissolved and the mixture just starts to simmer; remove from heat immediately and cool for 4 to 5 minutes.

    Step 2
    Watch · 1:31
  3. 03

    Whisk in the salt, baking soda, heavy cream, and beaten egg until thoroughly incorporated. Stir in the all-purpose flour with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.

    Step 3
    Watch · 2:08
  4. 04

    Transfer the dough to a piece of plastic wrap, gather it together, and wrap very tightly. Refrigerate the dough for 1 to 2 days to allow the flavors to mature and the color to darken.

    Step 4
    Watch · 3:30
  5. 05

    Portion the chilled dough into rounded teaspoons (about the size of a nut) using a small scoop. Roll the portions between your palms to form smooth, round balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

    Step 5
    Watch · 4:32
  6. 06

    Bake in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 9 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies have a perfect dome shape and light golden brown bottoms. Let cool completely on the pan.

    Step 6
    Watch · 5:09
  7. 07

    Prepare the icing by stirring lemon juice into powdered sugar until thick. Dip the cooled cookies into the icing, let the excess drip off, and flip them onto a rack to dry until the glaze is crisp.

    Step 7
    Watch · 5:54

From Chef John

  • “You are after all the Medusa of your Pfeffernüsse.”
  • “Dip, drip, and flip.”
  • “That's a feature, not a bug.”