To many cultures, the holidays wouldn’t be complete without festive pfeffernüsse (pronounced fef-fer-noos). This tempting, traditional, tiny spice cookie appears in profusion just around the time the snow flies in Germany, Denmark, and The Netherlands, as well as in and around Mennonite communities in North America.

What is Pfeffernüsse?

Popular since the 1850s, pfeffernüsse , also called pepernoten in Dutch, is linked to the December 5th feast of Sinterklaas in The Netherlands, when children receive gifts from St. Nicholas. It is celebrated the following day in Germany and Belgium. The word means “pepper nuts,” mostly because the piquant cookies are not much bigger than nuts, though they do not always contain them.

In the 19th century (and sometimes even today), connoisseurs incorporated potash, or potassium carbonate, into the dough, as well as ammonium carbonate, which acted as leavening agents to achieve the right consistency. While there are some variations on the theme—including the addition of anise, molasses, honey, nuts, nutmeg, ground black pepper, cardamom, rum, candied fruit, and powdered sugar for dusting— typically flour, sugar, brown sugar, cloves, and cinnamon are the more conventional ingredients. The flavor reportedly deepens with the passage of time, so many bakers prepare batches of them at the outset of the holiday season, relishing them throughout the month of December.

Why not herald the holidays and treat your family to this sweet, spicy, crunchy delicacy with the recipe below? Who knows, pfeffernüsse could become a much-anticipated holiday tradition in your house too!

Traditional Pfeffernüsse

Beth Herman is a freelance writer with interests in healthy living and food, family, animal welfare, architecture and design, religion, and yoga. She writes for a variety of national and regional publications, institutions, and websites.

  • Beth Herman
  • #molongui-disabled-link
  • January 11, 2016
  • What The Heck Is Marzipan?
  • Beth Herman
  • #molongui-disabled-link
  • November 2, 2015
  • National Scrapple Day: Love It Or hate it?
  • Beth Herman
  • #molongui-disabled-link
  • September 28, 2015
  • French Toast and Other Yummy Slow Cooker Meals
  • Beth Herman
  • #molongui-disabled-link
  • March 20, 2015
  • Viva La Cuban Sandwich!