These were my father’s favorite cookies. They are called Pfeffernüsse cookies. Sometimes referred to as German Spice Cookies. Only a available during the holidays. After trying multiple recipes, that missed the mark (including one I posted a few years ago) I combined recipes to get them just right. These are it! Just like the ones my dad used to buy! I have finally mastered them. Just in time for my holiday cookie exchange. I hope you enjoy them too!

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup butter unsalted
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp anise extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cardamon
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• 1/2 tsp cloves
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar for outside coating

Instructions

1. Use a small saucepan and combine butter, molasses, and honey over medium-low heat. After the mixture has melted together, remove from heat and allow to cool.

2. Add the egg and anise extract, stir it in and set aside.

3. In the mixing bowl of your stand mixer (or large mixing bowl if using hand mixer) add all of the dry ingredients( except for the powdered sugar) and mix together with a spoon.

4. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and using the paddle attachment mix until you form a ball of dough.

5. Wrap it up in plastic kitchen wrap and allow to cool in the refrigerator for an hour or longer.

6. Preheat your oven to 325° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

7. After the dough is chilled, roll out the cookies into 1 inch balls.

8. Bake for 12 minutes and allow to cool slightly.

9. Add powdered sugar to a bag

10. Add a few cookies to bag at time, gently shake to coat and then put cookies on cooling rack.

11. When cookies are cooled completely, give them another coating of powdered sugar.