Holiday Recipe: Peppernuts

Although sharing the name Pfeffernüsse as a perhaps more commonly known softer cookie containing citrus peel or zest, the northern Germanic version  of Peppernuts is smaller, harder, and more resembling the ‘nut’ used in its name.

It is a common Mennonite treat, typically made around Christmastime. I grew up helping my mother make hundreds of these as we typically filled a couple of ice cream buckets full. Somewhat more labour intensive than a traditional cookie, they are a great milder treat to put alongside the sweeter chocolates and candies that appear in the holiday season.

It can also be a fun activity with kids, seeing who can roll out the longest rope before cutting into the smaller pieces. In my family there is some debate over the final size and texture, as my partner prefers a slightly larger, softer style. So I typically attempt to vary the cooking time to provide some options. Sometimes it can be tricky to find Anise seed (not Star Anise) but worth it. Both liquid and ground forms work.