Pfeffernuse ~ German Iced Spice Cookies

Pfeffernuse ~ German Iced Spice Cookie   

The word Pfeffernuse translates to Pepper Nuts

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 - 4 Tablespoons "Lebkuchengewuerz"

    recipe for spice blend follows

1/4 teaspoon fresh grind white pepper

1/4 cup almond meal

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup pure honey

5 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 tablespoons heavy cream

1 large egg

Glaze

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

3 - 4 tablespoons hot water

Directions:

Combine flour, baking soda, salt, lebkuchenewürz, white pepper, and almond meal in a bowl and set aside.

Combine in a saucepan brown sugar, pure honey, unsalted butter, and heavy cream.  Place over medium-low heat stir frequently  until sugar is dissolved.  Set aside 5 minutes to cool.

Stir in flour mixture and when incorporated, stir in egg.

Dough will be sticky.  Turn out on plastic wrap and wrap tightly.  Refrigerate over night or up to two days.

Remove dough from plastic wrap.  Roll into two strands each 3/4 inch thick.  Slice strand at 3/4",  roll into ball and place on prepared baking sheet.  

Bake 15 minutes at 350*F.  Yield 50 cookies.

"Authentic Lebkuchengewuerz"

Ingredients:                                Half Recipe
2½ tbsp ground cinnamon          1 1/4 tablespoons cinnamon
2 tsp ground cloves                     1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 tsp ground ginger                     1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
½ tsp ground allspice                  1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
½ tsp ground star anise               1/4 teaspoon ground star anise
¼ tsp ground mace                      1/8 teaspoon ground mace
¼ tsp ground nutmeg                  1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ tsp ground coriander               1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
½ tsp ground green cardamom   1/4 teaspoon ground green cardamom

Directions:
Combine all ingredients.
Store in an airtight container.