 Pfeffernüsse, byAldi | |
| Alternative names | Peppernuts |
|---|---|
| Type | Cookie |
| Place of origin | Denmark, Germany, Netherlands |
| Main ingredients | cardamom,nutmeg,cinnamon,cloves,ginger,black pepper,mace,anise,sugar,butter,eggs,flour |
Pfeffernüsse are small spicecookies, popular as a holiday treat with Germans andethnic Mennonites in North America.[1][2] Similar cookies are made in Denmark, and The Netherlands, as well. They are calledPfeffernüsse (plural, singular isPfeffernuss) in German,pepernoten (sing.pepernoot) inDutch,päpanät inPlautdietsch, pfeffernusse or peppernuts in English, andpebernødder inDanish.
Johann Fleischmann, a confectioner fromOffenbach am Main, created the recipe in 1753.[3][4]Goethe praised the pastries.[5][6]Felix Mendelssohn went to Offenbach am Main especially to buy them.[7][8][6] The state ofHesse has served it at state receptions.[7][9]
In 1820, theBrothers Grimm warned their sister Charlotte (de) against excessive consumption: "Don't eat too much of the pepper nuts, they are said to cause a lot of heat!" At that time,nutmeg was considered anaphrodisiac, andcardamom as invigorating ascaffeine.[7][10][11]
In Germany,Pfeffernüsse are associated withChristmas. Thecookie has been part ofyuletide celebrations since the 1850s.[12]
The name literally means 'peppernuts', and does not mean it containsnuts. Thecookies are roughly the size of nuts and can be eaten by the handful, which may account for the name.[13][14] They are named for the pinch ofpepper added to thedough beforebaking.[15]
ThoughPfeffernüsse cookie recipes differ, all contain aromaticspices – most commonlycardamom,nutmeg,cinnamon,cloves,ginger,black pepper,mace, andanise.[16]Molasses,[citation needed]sugar, andhoney are used to sweeten the cookies. Some variations are dusted withpowdered sugar, though that is not a traditional ingredient.[17] Thedough isbutter,shortening, ormargarine,eggs, andflour.[18]
The Netherlands gives the namekruidnoten to the small, brown, round cookies,[21] whilepepernoten concerns a chewy snack that is lighter in color and has a chunky, angular appearance.[21][22] Even though they are perceivably different, some Dutch residents mistakenly callkruidnotenpepernoten and online stores list them under this category as well.[citation needed]
Both are holiday-exclusive snacks and available in any store that sells food aroundSinterklaas time.Pepernoten are one of the earliest Sinterklaas candies, yet have become relatively rare, as most children do not prefer them.[citation needed]
Meanwhile, thekruidnoten recipe has become the subject of experimentation and been heavily expanded on throughout the years. Besides the regular variant and packages that include gummies and sugar candies,kruidnoten can be covered with a layer of (white/milk/pure/truffle)chocolate – which is one of the earliest and most loved variants – but alsostrawberry,caramel,stroopwafel,coconut,coffee,bubblegum, cake (any), etc.[citation needed]
In the US midwest and plains states, families with German or Scandinavian roots make a treat they call peppernuts which is smaller, harder, and lacks eggs as an ingredient.[23][24] As with other varieties, these peppernuts are typically holiday treats and feature anise and other spices like cinnamon, cloves, allspice, etc.
They are similar to American gingerbread cookies, but are filled with extra spices and tossed in powdered sugar.
die großen Pfeffernüsse Moppen oder Moffen heißen
Adapted from "Great Cookies: Secrets to Sensational Sweets" by Carole Walter
Very popular in many European countries, these lovely little cookies have black pepper, which enhances the other spices in the cookie without adding heat.
