Pfefferneuse Cookies

Ingredients: 

• ½ C. unsalted butter, softened

• ¾ C. brown sugar

• 1/3 c. molasses

• ½ orange zest

• 2 eggs

• 2 ¼ C. flour

• ½ tsp. baking soda

• 1 star anise, ground

• ¾ tsp. fresh ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp. ginger, ground

• ½ tsp. fresh ground pepper

• ¼ tsp. allspice, ground

• ¼ tsp. nutmeg, ground

• 1/8 tsp. cardamom, ground

• 1/8 tsp. clove, ground

• Pinch of salt 

• Sugar for dipping

• Powdered sugar for dusting

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. In a mixer, using a paddle attachment, cream together butter, sugar, molasses, and orange zest until creamy.  

3. Add the egg and continue mixing until combined.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, star anise, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, pepper, cardamom, clove, and salt.  Slowly add into the butter sugar mixture.  When all combined, refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes.

5. Scoop out tablespoon sized balls, dip the tops in white sugar and place on a silpat lined cookie sheet.  Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the cookies are firm.  Let cool to room temperature.

6. When the cookies are cool, dust the tops with sifted powdered sugar.