Cranberry Peppernuts Recipe

Peppernuts (or pfeffernusse) are a popular holiday cookie in Germany, Denmark, Holland, and in the rest of the world as well. The classic peppernut originated in the Netherlands and is made with spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and anise. I tasted peppernuts like these from the Netherlands at our Dutch friends, and they were pretty delicious. 🙂 However, the peppernut recipe that I’m sharing with you today does not contain any of these spices and is made by the Hutterites every year at Christmas. Made with dried cranberries or cherries, these crispy little cookies are highly addictive and make such festive, attractive gifts when put in a glass jar.  A little note, you’ll have to hide these, because they’re the kind of cookie that you (and your children) will just want to snack on all day, so if you’re on a diet, uhhh, you probably shouldn’t make these. If you make these cute, delectable cookies, please leave me a comment to let me know how they turn out; I’d love to hear from you!

A couple step-by-step photos how to make these:

1. Sift together flour and baking soda and add salt. Set off to the side. 2. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Add eggs, corn syrup, and vanilla and mix until combined. 4. Chop cranberries, raisins, or dried cherries in a food processor with 1 Tbsp of water.

5. Add the chopped cranberries to the batter and mix until a dough forms. Transfer to your work surface and knead more with your hands if needed until the dough comes together well and is no longer sticky. 6. Pat into a circle and divide into 15-16 equal pieces of dough.

7.  Roll each piece of dough into a 17 in. long, 1/2 in. wide rope, place on parchment or Silpat lined baking sheet, cover lightly with plastic wrap, and freeze 1 hour.

8. Slice the ropes into 1/2 in pieces.

9. Place on a parchment or Silpat lined baking sheet 3/4 inch apart, and bake at 350 for 17-20 min.

Cranberry Peppernuts Recipe

 

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These cranberry peppernuts are crispy and delicious (not to mention addictive!) and they make such cute Christmas gifts.

Author: MyWayGourmet.net

Recipe type: Cookie

Serves: About ¾ gallon

Ingredients

• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 4 cups all purpose flour
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1½ cups granulated sugar
• 3 eggs, beaten with a fork
• 1 Tbsp corn syrup
• 1 Tbsp vanilla
• 1 cup dried cranberries, cherries, or raisins (plus 1 Tbsp water)
• ½ cup walnuts (optional)

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, sift together flour and baking soda, add salt, whisk together, and set aside.
2. With the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add beaten eggs, corn syrup, and vanilla and mix until combined.
3. In a food processor, chop cranberries and walnuts (if using) with 1 Tbsp water until it resembles small pieces. Add to batter and mix until incorporated.
4. Add the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until a dough forms. Empty out on your work surface and knead more with your hands if needed until no longer crumbly and dough comes together well.
5. Pat the dough into a circle and divide into 15-16 equal pieces of dough. Roll each piece into a 17 in. long, ½ in. wide rope and place on a Silpat or parchment lined baking sheet. You should get 15-16 ropes. Cover lightly with plastic wrap and freeze 1 hour.
6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
7. Slice the ropes into ½ in. pieces, place on a parchment or Silpat lined baking sheet, and bake in preheated oven for 17-20 minutes until golden brown. Keep in mind, the peppernuts will get harder as they cool.

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