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Peppernuts have been a Christmas tradition in Europe since the 1800s. In more recent history, my family has made these our own tradition. Peppernuts are a small cookie, mostly flavored with anise oil, but this tastes completely different than black licorice. The cookies are quickly whipped up, but take a little time to roll out and cut. These are so worth the wait and are my favorite with a cup of coffee (I always dip mine and savor each bite-size cookie).
Hopefully, you can make this your new family tradition this year and for many to come!
Watch how to make these peppernuts:
Peppernuts
Ingredients
- 1 cup lard (or vegetable shortening)
- 1 cup molasses
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ tsp real anise oil
- ½ cup sour milk (2 tsp vinegar with ½ cup milk)
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix the lard and molasses, 30 seconds. Add the sugar, egg, anise oil, sour milk, and mix well, 1 minute. Add baking soda and flour and mix until only a few streaks of flour remain, 1 minute.1 cup lard (or vegetable shortening), 1 cup molasses, 2 cups granulated sugar, 1 large egg, ¼ tsp real anise oil, ½ cup sour milk (2 tsp vinegar with ½ cup milk), 2 tsp baking soda, 6 cups all-purpose flour
- Shape into cylindrical rolls approximately ½-inch to ¾-inch in diameter. Chill overnight and cut into ¼-inch pieces.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on pan for 5 minutes. Using a spatula, scrape the peppernuts into an airtight container. Store for up to three months in the freezer.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below!
This was an easy dough to make. They turned out great – my family loved them!
Waiting on the cookbook. Already ordered.
Can’t wait to try these Peppernut cookies.
I have had pepper nuts in the past, but never made them. I was excited to try your recipe. Christmas came and went, so finally just made them for the first time. This recipe is so easy to follow and the taste is amazing. Thank you, Kaleb for my new addiction! 😁
I’ve been making peppernut cookies for years but always struggled rolling the dough into ropes after I had chilled it overnight. Imagine my pleasant surprise using your method of rolling the dough into ropes before you chill it! Thanks for the tip!
I have been looking for this recipe forever. My mother-in-law used to make them every year for the holidays, and we all (husband kids and me) have missed them so much. I searched her recipes, but we decided she made them from memory. Thank you so much.
Is the lard used in this recipe Leaf Lard or just organic lard. I understand there is a difference in the resulting taste et texture of the baked goodie. Can’t wait to try this one out!
Growing up we never had leaf lard so we always made these with traditional lard, which can have a slighy flavor. Now I use leaf lard to avoid a pork like flavor.
Luv luv luv peppernuts-grew up on them as my grgrndparents were German from the old country. But my little brother gave me the best help in making these-iinstead of rolling the logs out, he stuffs the dough in his jerky gun & it’s done in less than half the time. Throw them in the freezer til you’re ready to cut & bake! Still haven’t come up with a short cut for cutting up all the logs.
I kept saying peppernuts over and over so I could remember to look them up…I finally realized(sadly it took awhile) they are pfefferneuse! My grandma made these, too but we never called them pepper nuts, which I NOW know is the exact translation. Ours didn’t have pepper in them either. Anyway, I got a giggle from the lightbulb moment! Cannot wait to try your recipe, it looks wonderful.