Gluten-Free Pfeffernüsse: Spiced German Christmas Cookies
Experience the delightful warmth of traditional German Pfeffernüsse cookies, lovingly crafted to be gluten-free. These spiced biscuits, infused with aromatic cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, create a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors. Ideal for Christmas celebrations or any special occasion, they pair beautifully with a glass of mulled wine or a cozy cup of tea. Each bite transports you to festive markets filled with the aroma of freshly baked goods. This recipe yields approximately 30 to 40 delicious cookies, making them perfect for sharing with family and friends or storing for later enjoyment.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
self-raising gluten-free flour
250 g (Use the Orgran brand or similar.)
dark brown sugar
200 g (Packed.)
unsalted butter
60 g (Softened at room temperature.)
egg
1 (Large, beaten.)
ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon (For flavoring.)
ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon (For flavoring.)
ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon (For flavoring.)
white pepper
1/4 teaspoon (Or black pepper if preferred.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) and line your baking trays with greaseproof or baking paper.
2
In a large mixing bowl or using an electric mixer, combine the self-raising gluten-free flour, dark brown sugar, softened unsalted butter, egg, and all spices. Mix on medium speed until the ingredients are roughly combined, being careful not to overmix.
3
Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure everything is well incorporated, then mix again until the dough is uniform.
4
Leave the mixture in the bowl and knead it with your hands (wearing gloves if preferred) until it forms a cohesive dough.
5
Take small portions of the dough and roll them into balls about the size of walnuts.
6
Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1/2 inch (1 cm) apart to allow for spreading during baking.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 10 minutes, or until they start to firm up and the tops are lightly golden.
8
Once baked, remove the trays from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking trays before transferring them to an airtight container for storage. Enjoy your Pfeffernüsse with a warm drink or as a festive treat!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Gluten-Free Pfeffernüsse?
Pfeffernüsse are traditional German spiced cookies, and this recipe is specifically crafted to be gluten-free.
What spices are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses a blend of ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground ginger, and white pepper.
How many cookies does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 30 to 40 delicious cookies.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 190°C or 375°F.
What kind of flour is best for these cookies?
Use 250g of self-raising gluten-free flour, such as the Orgran brand.
Can I use black pepper instead of white pepper?
Yes, you can substitute black pepper for white pepper if you prefer.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for approximately 10 minutes until they start to firm up.
What type of sugar is required?
The recipe calls for 200g of packed dark brown sugar.
Should the butter be melted?
No, the recipe requires 60g of unsalted butter softened at room temperature.
What size egg should I use?
Use one large, beaten egg.
How do I prepare the baking trays?
Line your baking trays with greaseproof or baking paper.
How large should I roll the dough balls?
Roll the dough into balls about the size of walnuts.
How far apart should I space the cookies?
Space the balls about 1/2 inch or 1 cm apart to allow for spreading.
Do I need an electric mixer?
You can use either an electric mixer or a large mixing bowl to combine the ingredients.
Is kneading required for this recipe?
Yes, once ingredients are combined, knead with your hands until it forms a cohesive dough.
Can I wear gloves while kneading the dough?
Yes, you can wear gloves if preferred while kneading the dough.
How do I know when the cookies are finished baking?
They are done when they begin to firm up and the tops are lightly golden.
Should I cool the cookies on a wire rack?
The instructions recommend allowing them to cool completely on the baking trays before moving them.
How should I store these Christmas cookies?
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
What are the aromatic flavors of these cookies?
The cookies feature a perfect balance of aromatic cinnamon, cloves, and ginger.
What should I serve with Pfeffernüsse?
They pair beautifully with mulled wine or a cozy cup of tea.
Is this recipe suitable for beginners?
Yes, the instructions are straightforward and involve basic mixing, kneading, and rolling.
Can I overmix the dough?
The recipe advises mixing on medium speed until roughly combined and being careful not to overmix.
Why do I need to scrape down the bowl?
Scraping the bowl ensures all ingredients are well incorporated into a uniform dough.
Are these cookies dairy-free?
No, this recipe contains unsalted butter and an egg.
What is the description of the cookie's flavor?
They offer a delightful warmth and a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include German cookies, holiday baking, gluten-free, and festive treats.
How much ginger is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger.
How much cinnamon is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
How much cloves is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves.