Photo of Pfeffernüsse by WW

Pfeffernüsse

3
Points®
Total Time
35 min
Prep
20 min
Cook
15 min
Serves
45
Difficulty
Easy
These adorably tiny (they're little enough—about the size small walnuts—that you could eat more than one at a time), ball-shaped holiday cookies are popular in Germany, Denmark, and The Netherlands. They're rich in spices and are terrific for dunking into hot chocolate, coffee, or tea. Adults and kids alike won't be able to resist them. Our version features a variety of spices, such as ground cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. If you're not sure what the size of a small walnut is, conveniently enough, this recipe includes walnuts as well. Feel free to omit them, however, if you're going for a nut-free treat.

Ingredients

Cooking spray

4 spray(s), flour-variety recommended

Ground cloves

½ tsp

Ground nutmeg

½ tsp

Ground cinnamon

½ tsp

Black pepper

¼ tsp, freshly ground

Ground ginger

¼ tsp

Ground cardamom

¼ tsp

Baking soda

¼ tsp

All-purpose flour

1¼ cup(s)

Whole wheat flour

1¼ cup(s)

Egg

2 large egg(s)

Packed brown sugar

1 cup(s), dark-variety

Chopped walnuts

cup(s), finely minced

Powdered sugar (confectioner's)

cup(s)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat 2 cookie sheets with cooking spray.
  2. In a large bowl, combine cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, black pepper, ginger, cardamom, baking soda and both kinds of flour; set aside.
  3. Using an electric mixer, in a large bowl, beat eggs and brown sugar on high speed until mixture is light and liquidy; reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly — dough will be very stiff. Add walnuts; thoroughly combine.
  4. Working with damp hands, form dough into balls the size of small walnuts; place on prepared cookie sheets about 1 1/2-inches apart. Bake until tops of cookies just start to turn golden, about 12 to 15 minutes; remove cookies to wire racks to cool. Dust with powdered sugar and serve.
  5. Serving size: 1 cookie