Pfeffernussen Shortbreads

These are not your classic pfeffernussen. They are more like a pfeffernussen shortbread.


December 21st.


Recipe:
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/8 teaspoon anise extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon cocoa
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated orange rind
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped blanched almonds (I use the food processor)
  • Marcona almonds
  • granulated sugar


1. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add brown sugar, beating well. Add egg, anise extract, and almond extract.
2. Combine flour and next 8 ingredients, stir to combine. Gradually add to butter mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Stir in finely chopped almonds.
3. Form dough into a ball and roll out to a 1/8 inch. Cut dough into 2 inch circles. Press a whole almond into center of each circle. Repeat procedure with remaining dough.
4. Bake at 325° for 25 minutes. Cool slightly on baking sheet, and sprinkle with sugar while warm; remove to wire racks to cool completely. tore in airtight containers.
These cookies actually improve with age. Cream the sugar with the butter.


Add the egg.


Add the anise extract.

Add the almond extract.

I always add my spices and baking powder to the wet ingredients before I add the flour.


Add the baking powder and the cinnamon.


Add the cloves.


Then the nutmeg.


Add the cocoa.


Add the pepper.

Grate the orange rind.


This is the right consistency for the nuts.

Beat in the flour with your paddle attachment.


If you can't find Marcona almonds, use regular whole almonds.


Roll out the dough.

Before they are baked.


After they are baked. They should just be beginning to brown around the edge.

Sprinkled with sugar. I used vanilla sugar.


These burst with all the flavors of Christmas.

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Comments

Chris said…
These cookies look and sound like they could be eaten for breakfast..mid morning snack..with lunch..mid afternoon snack..after dinner desert..before bed snack..midnight snack..And they are so pretty!!

xxx ooo to Teddy Christmas Angel!!
man those look good...

wish i lived closer...would love a taste....

kary and teddy
They sound absolutely delicious! Solstice blessings to you and your family, Jaz!
I might now get these made before Christmas but I bet I do before New Years. They look wonderful!
Anonymous said…
I think I´ve seen pfeffernussen on a photo once, but that is the closest I´ve ever come to them :-) :-) But they do look delicious! Some of those and a pot of tea and Christmas is saved :-)

Have a great day now!
Christer.
Ann said…
They sure look good. Walking in to your house must be like walking into a bakery. I can just imagine the heavenly aroma.
Verde Farm said…
Oh wow--these look wonderful. Now that is a recipe---so many goodies in there. I love almonds and know this would be my kind of cookie. Thank you for sharing :)
Merry Christmas, Amy
Unknown said…
Finally, a use for my anise extract! These looks delicious =)
Texan said…
these look so good, just like all the others you have made! yummy, yummy, yummy!

I am thinking a couple of these with a afternoon cup of tea or mmm a couple with morning coffee? slobber slobber
brokenteepee said…
Somehow that name makes me think of Bugs Bunny. hehehehehehe
Like Hossenpfeffer.
Cheryll said…
I have to make these! I have everything but the anise. Yes! Christmas is saved.
Cheryll said…
Do you use real butter or can we substitute? Oh they look good!
Mystica said…
I have not done any baking at all this christmas but just reading your blog is enough!
I could easily eat about twenty of these lovelies with a glass of cold milk!

Have a good evening.

Blessings.

xoxo to "Teddy Santa's Baby".
SharleneT said…
Oh, wow! I thought I was through baking but I do so love these... I hope you're happy that now I have even more to do! Thanks for the recipe. You are just so cool.
Anonymous said…
Delicious! I love the idea that they improve with age so I can make them in advance and not worry that they are stale by the time I put them out at our family gathering. Thank you so much and happy holidays!
I don't know when you find the time to do all this baking.
But I do like short bread cookies oh how the melt in your mouth.

Coffee is on.
These cookies look SO amazingly delicious. I can't wait to try this recipe. Thank you and Happy Holidays! Theresa
petoskystone said…
ooo...santas' cookies!
decareis said…
Hello Joyce
A Merry Christmas to you and your entire family!
I sure this Christmas will be his "delicious"with many delights!
kisses