Pfeffernusse Cookies: Soft German Christmas Spice Cookies

Pfeffernusse cookies are little German Christmas cookies packed with warm spice. Each one is a soft, round, cake-like bite flavored with molasses, honey, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and a pinch of black pepper, then coated in a snowy layer of powdered sugar. The name means pepper nuts, and that tiny bit of pepper gives them their cozy, gentle heat.

They are easy to make and keep for weeks, so they are perfect for baking ahead. Like many spice cookies, they actually taste better after a day or two, once the spices have time to settle in.

Love spiced holiday cookies? Bake my German gingerbread cookies, these super ginger molasses cookies, and classic gingerbread men cookies.

JUMP TO

• Why You’ll Love This Pfeffernusse Cookies
• What Is Pfeffernusse Cookies?
• Ingredients
• Kitchen Equipment
• Ingredient Tips
• How to Make Pfeffernusse Cookies
• Expert Tips for Perfect Pfeffernusse Cookies
• Delicious Variations
• What to Serve with Pfeffernusse Cookies
• Storage Instructions
• Can You Make It Ahead?
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Estimated Nutrition
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Why You’ll Love This Pfeffernusse Cookies

These cookies bring old-world Christmas flavor to your tin.

Warm Holiday Spice

Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and pepper.

Soft Centers

A tender, cake-like bite.

Snowy Look

Powdered sugar makes them festive.

Keep for Weeks

Great for baking ahead and gifting.

Easy Dough

No rolling pin or cutters needed.

What Is Pfeffernusse Cookies?

Pfeffernüsse are traditional spice cookies from Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark, baked for Christmas and St. Nicholas Day. They are small, round, and dense, with molasses and a blend of warm spices.

Some versions are glazed and some are rolled in powdered sugar. This American-style recipe uses a double coat of powdered sugar.

Ingredients

this Idea!

Spice Cookie Dough

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Unsalted butter, softened	½ cup	Richness
Dark brown sugar, packed	½ cup	Sweetness and moisture
Molasses	¼ cup	Deep flavor
Honey	2 tablespoons	Soft texture
Egg	1 large	Binds the dough
All-purpose flour	2½ cups	Structure
Baking soda	1 teaspoon	Rise
Ground cinnamon	2 teaspoons	Warm spice
Ground cloves	½ teaspoon	Classic spice
Ground nutmeg	½ teaspoon	Warm flavor
Ground ginger	½ teaspoon	Gentle heat
Ground cardamom	½ teaspoon	Aromatic flavor
Finely ground black pepper	¼ teaspoon	Signature kick
Salt	¼ teaspoon	Balance

Coating

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Powdered sugar	1½ cups	Snowy coating

Kitchen Equipment

• Stand or hand mixer
• Mixing bowls
• Small cookie scoop
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper

Ingredient Tips

Fresh Spices

Old spices taste dull.

Dark Molasses

Avoid blackstrap; it is bitter.

Finely Ground Pepper

Coarse pepper can be too sharp.

Chill the Dough

It is soft and sticky at first.

Double Coat

Roll in sugar twice for a thick white coat.

How to Make Pfeffernusse Cookies

Step 1: Cream

Beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the molasses, honey, and egg.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Whisk the flour, baking soda, all the spices, pepper, and salt.

Step 3: Make the Dough

Mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until a soft dough forms.

Step 4: Chill

Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Step 5: Prep

Heat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment.

Step 6: Shape

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place 1 inch apart.

Step 7: Bake

Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until firm and slightly cracked on the bottom edges.

Step 8: Coat

Cool 5 minutes, roll in powdered sugar, cool completely, then roll again.

Expert Tips for Perfect Pfeffernusse Cookies

Do Not Overbake

They firm up as they cool.

Roll Warm, Then Cool

The first coat melts slightly and helps the second stick.

Let Them Rest

Flavor improves after a day.

Same Size Balls

They bake evenly.

Adjust the Pepper

Use more for extra kick.

Delicious Variations

Anise Pfeffernusse

Add ½ teaspoon ground anise.

Glazed Version

Dip in a powdered sugar and milk glaze.

Almond Pfeffernusse

Add ½ cup finely ground almonds.

Orange Zest

Add zest of 1 orange.

Chocolate Dipped

Dip the bottoms in dark chocolate.

What to Serve with Pfeffernusse Cookies

Serve with coffee, tea, mulled wine, or hot cocoa.

Pack them in tins with other cookies for holiday gifts.

Storage Instructions

Storage Method	How Long	Best Practice
Room Temperature	3 weeks	Airtight tin
Refrigerator	Not needed	Keep in a tin
Freezer	3 months	Before the final sugar coat

Store in an airtight tin with parchment between layers.

Re-roll in powdered sugar before serving if needed.

Can You Make It Ahead?

Make the dough up to 3 days ahead and keep it chilled.

Bake up to 2 weeks before Christmas.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Skipping the Chill

The dough is too sticky to roll.

Blackstrap Molasses

It makes the cookies bitter.

Overbaking

They turn hard.

One Sugar Coat

The sugar soaks in and disappears.

Old Spices

The flavor is flat.

Estimated Nutrition

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	85
Carbohydrates	15g
Protein	1g
Fat	3g
Saturated Fat	2g
Fiber	0g
Sugar	9g
Sodium	45mg
Cholesterol	8mg

Estimate per cookie, based on 40 cookies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Pfeffernusse cookies are soft, spiced, and coated in snowy sugar. They are a classic German Christmas cookie that keeps beautifully.

Bake a batch and add some old-world spice to your holiday tin.

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