Pfeffernusse Cookies

I made these delightful German cookies, a popular holiday treat in Germany. They are small round cookies filled with aromatic ground spices and molasses. If you like gingerbread cookie, you will find this one quite similar in taste. If  you like yours to be spicy, just adjust the spices to your taste.

Ingredients (adapted from allrecipes.com)
3/4 cup molasses
1/4 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter, soften
2 eggs, beaten
4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar ( I used 1/2 for less sweet)
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 tsp. ground cloves
3 tsp. ground ginger
2 tsp. anise extract
1 tsp. ground allspice
2 tsp. ground cardamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
confectioner sugar for dusting
Method:
1. In a heavy saucepan, add the following: molasses, shortening, and butter over medium-low heat. Stir gently until mixture is creamy. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. When cool, stir in the beaten eggs to the mixture.
2. Into a large bowl, add the following: flour, white and brown sugars, all the ground spices, salt baking soda. Add the cooled molasses mixture and stir until thoroughly combines into a dough. Cover and refrigerate at least 2-3 hours.
3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Pinch a small amount of the dough and roll into small sized balls. Arrange on baking sheet, spacing an inch apart.
4. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove to rack to cool. When completely cool, dust cookies with confectioner's sugar.

Printable Recipe