Spicy Pfeffernusse

Ingredients:

1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. butter
1 tsp. cloves
3 eggs
1 tsp. ginger
6 c. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. oil of anise
3/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 c. milk

Cooking Instructions

Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, beating well after each. Add the oil of anise. Sift together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and all of the dry spices. Alternately add flour and milk to the butter and egg mixture until you have a stiff dough. Form into a ball and chill if necessary to make the dough easier to handle. Taking small amounts of the dough, roll into long ropes about 1/2 inch in size. Cut the rope into pieces the size of a nut and place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350° for about 10-12 minutes or until the desired color. Cool and store in an airtight container.

Note: Also called Peppernuts. Making these delicious little cookies is a family tradition at Christmas time. Teenage boys in our house have been known to eat these delightful little cookies in a bowl with milk like cereal!