Pfeffernüsse: German “Pepper-Nut” Holiday Cookies
Pfeffernüsse: German “Pepper-Nut” Holiday Cookies deliver a warmly spiced bite with hints of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and a subtle peppery tingle. Soft and chewy inside with a delicate lemon glaze, they balance sweetness and spice beautifully. Ideal for Christmas cookie trays, gifting, or cozy winter gatherings with tea or coffee.
- Prep40 mins
- Cook45 mins
- Serves52
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Pfeffernüsse: German “Pepper-Nut” Holiday Cookies, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactPoor
- 32 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityPoor
- 30 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 64
- Heart Health
- 50
- Metabolic
- 11
- Digestive
- 32
- Inflammatory
- 10
- Performance
- 18
- General Wellness
- 1
Combine white and brown sugars in a saucepan with honey, water, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and cayenne pepper. Set over medium heat and whisk until the sugars dissolve and it just begins to simmer. Immediately take off the heat and let cool slightly.
- 2
Add salt, baking soda, heavy cream, and egg, and whisk until fully combined. Add flour and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes together into a dough.
- 3
Transfer the dough onto a piece of plastic wrap. Press it into a ball and wrap tightly. Refrigerate and let rest.
- 4
When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- 5
Remove the dough from the refrigerator and scoop into rounded teaspoons. Roll each portion into a smooth ball if desired, and place on a prepared baking sheet.
- 6
Bake in the center of the preheated oven until the cookies are perfectly dome-shaped with lightly golden brown bottoms; do not overbake. Let cool on the pan to room temperature.
- 7
While the first batch cools, repeat Steps 5 and 6 to shape and bake the remaining cookies.
- 8
For the icing, place powdered sugar in a bowl. Stir in lemon juice, a few teaspoons at a time, until the icing is very thick but still slightly runny.
- 9
Dip the top of each cooled cookie into the icing. Let the excess drip, then flip it over and place on a wire rack set over parchment paper to harden.
- Calories 71.15 kcal Low Source 4%
- Protein 0.79 g Low Source 2%
- Carbohydrate 16.18 g 6%
- Total Fat 0.33 g Low Source 0%
- Saturated Fat 0.17 g Low Source 1%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 5.09 mg Low Source 2%
- Sodium 5.08 mg Low Source 0%
- Dietary Fiber 0.29 g Low Source 1%
- Total Sugars 11.04 g --
- Added Sugars 0.01 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 1.68 mg Low Source 0%
- Iron 0.34 mg Low Source 2%
- Potassium 6.41 mg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin A 1.27 mcg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin C 0.01 mg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin D 0.02 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Eggs 🥚
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
About This Recipe
Pfeffernüsse: German "Pepper Nut" Holiday Cookies is a German dessert recipe made with 18 ingredients. It takes about 1 hr 25 mins, serves 52, and is rated medium. Key ingredients include All Purpose Flour, Baking Soda, Brown Sugar, and Cayenne Pepper. Each serving provides about 71.15 kcal.
Recipe Questions
- What is Pfeffernüsse: German “Pepper-Nut” Holiday Cookies?
- It is a German cookie recipe made with 18 ingredients, usually served for dessert or snack.
- What is Pfeffernüsse: German “Pepper-Nut” Holiday Cookies made of?
- The main ingredients are All-Purpose Flour, Baking Soda, Brown Sugar, Cayenne Pepper, Eggs. The full list of 18 is above.
- What goes well with Pfeffernüsse: German “Pepper-Nut” Holiday Cookies?
- Explore these German side-dish recipes.
- How long does it take to make Pfeffernüsse: German “Pepper-Nut” Holiday Cookies?
- About 1 hr 25 mins in total: 40 mins to prepare and 45 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 71.15 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Pfeffernüsse: German “Pepper-Nut” Holiday Cookies easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 18 ingredients and 9 steps.
- Is Pfeffernüsse: German “Pepper-Nut” Holiday Cookies healthy?
- Pfeffernüsse: German “Pepper-Nut” Holiday Cookies has an easyChef Pro health score of 25/100. Per serving, it provides 71.15 calories and 0.79 g of protein, or 2% of the Daily Value. It contains Eggs, Milk, Wheat and Gluten, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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