Monday, December 10, 2012

It wouldn't be Christmas without Peppernuts


Here in our part of the world peppernuts are the traditional
cookie of Christmas!  Everyone has their favorite recipe.
Most are flavored with anise, they can be fancy or plain,
cut out with a round cutter, or rolled in ropes and sliced.
This is my favorite recipe, it comes from a peppernut cookbook.


Quick Peppernuts

1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. butter
1 egg
1/8 tsp. anise extract
2 T. white syrup
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. ginger
3 1/2 c. flour

Cream sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add egg, beat well. Add other liquids. Add dry ingredients with 2 c. flour. Knead in enough of remaining flour until dough is no longer sticky. Refrigerate in tightly covered container overnight or a few days. To make peppernuts, you can either roll the dough out into 1/4" sheets and cut with small round cookie cutter, or roll into ropes and slice with sharp knife. Place separately on greased baking sheets and bake at 350 for 7-8 minutes. Let cool slightly before removing from pan.
I usually have a helper- this year AJ had fun punching them out.
Peppernuts are the perfect treat to have with a cup of tea.
 Some people pride themselves on how small their peppernuts
are, mine are not that small but they sure taste good!  Some
people's are crunchy, some are so hard you almost break your
teeth!  Mine are more crunchy than hard.
But the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.
You will be with child and give birth to a son,
and you are to give him the name Jesus."
"He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever;
his kingdom will never end."
Luke 1:30-33
 
I'm joining Sandi's Christmas Tea today. 
I hope you're having a special Christmas season!

9 comments:

  1. Hi Carmen,
    I don't believe I have ever tasted a peppernut. I have made plenty of snickerdoodles but never a peppernut. They sound delish! I really like spicy and these certainly sound like they're spicy. I love your red china and the Nativity is lovely! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful post with my Christmas tea and have a beautiful Christmas season with your loved ones.

    Christmas blessings,
    Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Carmen,
    peppernuts have been in common here. But today I don't know any who bake them. I can imagine that they are spicy and yummy. Your little ones enjoy obviously baking those cookies. Thank you for sharing the recipe and the nice tea setting with the beautiful nativity scene. I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas time.
    Best greetings, Johanna

    ReplyDelete
  3. With all the Christmas baking I am seeing today, my mouth is watering!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful post! I have heard of peppernuts before but never made them What is white syrup? Is it white corn syrup? (I am from Canada) Your china is pretty. I love red and white china. Blessings for a Merry Christmas to you and yours. Pamela

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I meant white corn syrup (like Karo). Hope you have a Merry Christmas too!

      Delete
  5. I have not heard of peppernuts before but they, and the recipe look good. Your helper seems to be enjoying cutting out some cookies with you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your cookies sound so good, Carmen! I love your pretty red transferware and your nativity set.

    ReplyDelete
  7. How wonderful to learn different traditions for celebrating Christmas. The child is darling! Pretty tea setting. Thanks for the recipe. Thanks, Pam

    ReplyDelete
  8. Am linking up :)

    What an interesting recipe... we eat something similar in Holland for Saint Nicholas (on the 5th of December, the inspiration for Santa Claus!) and we also called peppernuts (pepernoten in Dutch). Ours, however, are more rounded, button-shaped and darker. We also don't add anise. I am sure anise would make an interesting addition though. Was your grandmother from Northern Europe?

    Love the red transferware, as always :)

    Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving a comment! I love hearing from you.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...