Pfeffernusse {Authentic German Recipe!} - Plated Cravings (2024)

FAQs

What does pfeffernusse mean in German? ›

The name literally means 'peppernuts', and does not mean it contains nuts. The cookies are roughly the size of nuts and can be eaten by the handful, which may account for the name. They are named for the pinch of pepper added to the dough before baking.

Pfeffernusse and lebkuchen are both similarly flavored with honey and lots of warm baking spices but pfeffernusse are almost always small, rounded cookies coated with a powdered sugar glaze, while lebkuchen may be shaped like regular cookies or cut in bars and are generally glazed with chocolate.

Pepper. A traditional pfeffernusse cookie isn't complete without the pepper. The pfeffernusse cookie uses white pepper to provide a unique flavor that defines this treat. White pepper provides a bit of a kick while amplifying the earthy flavor and undertones essential to the delicious taste of a pfeffernusse cookie.

Pfeffernusse have a flavor similar to a traditional gingerbread cookie but have a distinct kick from the ground pepper and a hint of licorice from the anise extract. These cookies hold up really well, so they are perfect for holiday cookie exchanges.

Both are sweetened with a mixture of sugar and honey/syrup, flavoured with warm spices and often use the same technique to make the dough. The difference, as you may have guessed from the name, is the primary flavour. Whilst pure gingerbread uses only ground ginger, pfeffernüsse use a full quintet of spices.

In Germany, when you think of Christmas, you think of Nuremberg Lebkuchen, the city's famous gingerbread. These sweet and spicy treats have been baked for more than 600 years and are loved by young and old alike.

Pfeffernusse cookies are packed with an intense spice flavor that will truly tantalize your taste buds! After the cookies cool, they become very hard. Hard enough that they require dipping into a liquid such as cold milk or hot coffee to soften them for eating.

These sweet cookies are a classic German treat. Be the first to review! These German "gingerbread hearts" (Lebkuchenherz) are a common sight in Bavaria during the fall and winter holidays.

They are called Pfeffernüsse (plural, singular is Pfeffernuss) in German, pepernoten (sing. pepernoot) in Dutch, päpanät in Plautdietsch, pfeffernusse or peppernuts in English, and pebernødder in Danish.

Lebkuchenherzen have become a staple in German celebrations, especially around Oktoberfest and Christmas time. They're typically decorated with intricate icing designs and lettering, including endearing or funny messages. Try your hand at making them and share them with someone you love!

Does Aldi have Pfeffernusse cookies? ›

Nutrition Facts in Aldi Pfeffernüsse Gingerbread Cookies

There are 6 servings per package of three cookies. So, 18 cookies per bag. Each serving has 110 calories, 15 grams of sugar, and only a half gram of fat. There's a tiny bit of protein, with 2 grams per serving.

Lebkuchen is a traditional German cookie that is usually baked for Christmas. It is most like a soft gingerbread cookie, made with molasses and full of warm spices. The glaze provides the perfect complement, a little sweet and with a hint of lemon.

Despite becoming a local favorite rather quickly, with the state of Hesse often serving them at state receptions as a “Hessian specialty,” it took about a century for pfeffernusse cookies to become a standard Christmas treat (assuming 1753 was indeed the year of their creation).

Pfeffernusse, or “peppernuts,” are little balls of holiday cheer that originated in Germany. It's believed their name comes from the whole spices that are ground into powder to flavor the dough since traditional Pfeffernusse don't contain nuts, despite the name.

Kekse are biscuits/cookies in general while Plätzchen are a Christmas speciality, although the terms are somewhat interchangeable.