When I was a little kid, my grandma's friend from Germany would send her a gift box at Christmas full of German treats. She sent this one cookie that I still remember and I'm hoping someone knows what it was. If I remember correctly it was dark, looked kind of chocolatey but wasn't. It was crisp and spicy. I don't remember for the life of me what the spice was. I don't think it had any fruit or nuts in it. It was a store bought cookie because it came in a box or tin. I would love to find these again. If anybody has any ideas please let me know!!! Thanks, Deanna :-D
Pepperkake Tools: * Large mixing bowl * Plastic wrap * Wilton 14" x 20" Jumbo Aluminum Cookie Sheet * Wilton 14-1/2" x 20" Non-Stick Cooling Grid Ingredients: * 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened * 1-1/2 cups brown sugar * 2 eggs * 1 teaspoon baking powder * 1/2 teaspoon baking soda * 1 teaspoon ground white pepper * 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon * 3/4 teaspoon salt * 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom * 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger * 4 cups all-purpose flour In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one and a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in baking powder, baking soda, pepper, cinnamon, salt, cardamom and ginger. Stir in flour 1/2 cup at a time, blending well after each addition. Form dough into ball; wrap and refrigerate 24 hours. Preheat oven to 350° F. Roll rounded 1/2 teaspoons of dough into 3/4-inch balls. Arrange, 1-inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 11-14 minutes or until golden brown on bottom. Cool on wire rack. Cookies may be stored in airtight containers at room temperature for one month. YIELD: Makes about 4-6 dozen cookies
I don't know if this is what you are after, but you might give them a try. We make these for Christmas, but roll the dough and make different shapes. Like these: All photos are honorably snatched thanks to Google.
I make a pfeffernusse that is somewhat lighter than your pepperkake. I always make it for the German neighbor. He is 76 0r 77 yrs old and came to the US after WWII when he was 18. He says it reminds him of his mother's kitchen. I, also, make gingerbread people. I used to make them for the boys to take to school just before Christmas. I'll have to go dig out the recipes and post them. dooley
Ooohhh Thank You!! I think maybe cardamom is the spice I couldn't remember. As soon as I smell it I will know!! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! :-D :-D :-D Deanna :-D
Don't thank me until you've made sure, and hopefully dooley will add her recipes too. It must be very nice for your neighbour to have such a good friend as you, Dooley.
