Pfeffernusse

I had the most wonderful Thanksgiving with my family in Montana.  I love spending time with my cousins, parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, and especially my grandparents.  I feel really blessed.

While I was there I was able to snag my grandma’s recipe for one of my favorite holiday indulgences…pfeffernusse.  This has been our family tradition to make during the holidays my whole life (and my moms whole life and my grandmas whole life!).  They are delicious – and so NOT healthy.  But sometimes the joy that comes with tradition is worth the extra dancing that becomes necessary to work it off ;).

Pfeffernusse:

2 cups sugar
2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cup honey
1 1/2 cup syrup
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cup coffee
6 eggs, beaten
1 t salt
1 1/2 t nutmeg
3 t cinnamon
3 t anise seed
2 t black pepper
1 1/2 t allspice
15 cups flour
4 t soda
3 t baking powder

Glaze:
4 cups powdered sugar
1 cup milk
1/2 t anise flavoring
1/2 t vanilla
1/4 t red food coloring

Mix first 5 ingredients in saucepan. Bring to boil and cool to room temperature.
Add coffee, beaten eggs and then spices.
Mix in flour, soda, and baking powder

Bake 350 15 – 18 minutes.  Dip in glaze while hot – dry on racks – shake in bag of powdered sugar.

They are best kept in an airtight container for 2 – 3 weeks and then enjoyed….don’t ask me why.

I hope that you have a wonderful holiday season.  I would love to hear about your favorite holiday traditions – leave them in the comments below!

Warmly,

Briana Borten, founder of The Dragontree