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Pfeffernusse – German Gingerbread Cookies

For me Pfeffernüsse or German Gingerbread-style Cookies are all part of the tradition of celebrating Christmas. These are vegan, nut- and gluten-free, as well as processed sugar-free. 

Pfeffernusse German Gingerbread Cookies Gluten Free Vegan-2

Only 8 days ’till Christmas. Have you been counting? I sure have been. To celebrate, and as part of the December SABH hosted by Christina, I made Pfeffernüsse to hand out to our friends and neighbours as a little treat. Loosely translated as Peppernuts they also contain a mixture of lovely gingerbread spices that when baked, fill the house with Christmas cheer!

SABH_12-12-Santa-150

Traditionally they are iced, covered in chocolate or dusted with a thick coating of icing sugar. The un-iced Pfeffernüsse cookies are a much healthier alternative though and safe for most little visitors as they are gluten-free, nut-free, egg-free, dairy-free and soy-free. To healthy them up even more – since we all know there will be plenty of other food indulgences at the Christmas table, they are sweetened with rice malt syrup and rapadura sugar. If you would like to ice them make sure to check out my older post for traditional gingerbread icing.

Pfeffernusse German Gingerbread Cookies Gluten Free Vegan-2

Best of all you can make them into more traditional festive shapes using cookie cutters. Poke a hole in each using a drinking straw, bake, thread a piece of string through the hole and you have instant edible Christmas tree decorations! 

As a bonus, any leftover scraps can be baked and made into Gingerbread ice cream! *spoken in a German accent:* Good, no?

So, tell me, what is your favourite Christmas food indulgence? Is it sweet or savoury?

Pfeffernusse German Gingerbread Cookies Gluten Free Vegan-2

Pfeffernusse German Gingerbread Cookies Gluten Free Vegan-2
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Pfeffernusse – German Gingerbread Cookies

Pfeffernüsse or German Gingerbread-style Cookies are all part of the tradition of celebrating Christmas. Best of all you can make them into more traditional festive shapes using cookie cutters. Poke a hole in each using a drinking straw, bake, thread a piece of string through the hole and you have instant edible Christmas tree decorations! These are vegan, nut- and gluten-free, as well as processed sugar-free. Makes about 16 cookies
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 60 g butter or coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup rapadura sugar
  • 1/3 cup rice malt syrup
  • 1 tbsp Chinese five spice mix
  • 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
  • 1.5 tbsp boiling hot water
  • 250 gluten-free flour
  • 1 tsp bicarb soda
  • 1 tsp raw cacao powder or cocoa powder

Instructions

To make the Pfeffernusse:

  • Place butter or coconut oil, rapadura sugar, rice malt syrup and five spice mix into a small saucepan.
  • Heat, stirring, over low heat until the spread is melted. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  • In a small bowl, mix together ground flaxseed and boiling water until the mixture resembles egg consistency. Set aside to cool.

Once all liquids are cooled to room temperature:

  • Place gluten-free flour into a large bowl. Sift in bicarb soda and cacao powder.
  • Whisk flaxseed mixture into the cooled butter or coconut oil and sugar mixture.
  • Pour the mixture into the dry ingredients and stir together with a spoon until dough forms. It may seem a little sticky but that's ok.

Preheat oven to 180C (160C fan-forced, 350F, gas mark 4). Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper.

  • Shape about 1 tablespoon of the dough into balls and flatten gently. Or roll flatten small batches of dough to about 1/4 inch onto a sheet of baking paper and cut out desired shapes with cookie cutters. Remove scraps and repeat.
  • Bake on the middle shelf in a preheated oven for about 11 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool.
Tried this recipe?Mention @wholesomecook or tag #wholesomecook

22 comments

Kathy Ball December 17, 2012 at 11:09 am

Thank you so much for posting this recipe! It will make my allergy-prone kids very happy.

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Maureen | Orgasmic Chef December 17, 2012 at 12:11 pm

These are terrific cookies. I think most things at Christmas are an indulgence. I always forgive myself for making/eating anything and then I have to pay for it in January. :)

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Martyna @ Wholesome Cook December 17, 2012 at 11:41 pm

Thanks Maureen, I’m normally the same but trying to be good this Christmas… We shall see!

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The Life of Clare December 17, 2012 at 12:15 pm

I love Pfeffernusse, my mum buys them for me every Christmas, but I’ve never thought of tackling baking them. Thanks!

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Martyna @ Wholesome Cook December 17, 2012 at 11:45 pm

You are welcome!

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Anna @ The Littlest Anchovya December 17, 2012 at 2:54 pm

How lovely! I love gingerbread anything and I love the fact that you can turn them into ornaments. A great gift!

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Minxie December 17, 2012 at 5:50 pm

Yummo, definitiley festive! My favourite would have to be sweet. Gingerbread, chocolate and fruitcake!

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john@heneedsfood December 17, 2012 at 6:10 pm

I’ve loved pfeffernüsse for as long as I can remember. The combination of spices is an absolute winner, in my books.

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Martyna @ Wholesome Cook December 17, 2012 at 11:48 pm

I’m looking forward to seeing your recipe John!

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Christine @ Cooking Crusade December 17, 2012 at 9:43 pm

Yum! I absolutely love pfeffernüsse although I always have a bit of a giggle at pronouncing it hehe. I’m on a gluten free/dairy free diet at the moment so THANK YOU for posting this! I was thinking I might have a bit of trouble enjoying my usual Chrissy treats, but this is absolutely perfect :D

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Martyna @ Wholesome Cook December 17, 2012 at 11:50 pm

These are really yummy! I’m glad they will come in handy at Christmaa time for you :-)

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Christina @ The Hungry Australian December 17, 2012 at 10:34 pm

Ja, gut!! ;)

Gorgeous looking cookies, Martyna. I love the way you’ve styled this too. Thanks for joining this hop!

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Martyna @ Wholesome Cook December 17, 2012 at 11:51 pm

Haha! You made me laugh Christina! Thank you for your kind comment. :-)

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bakingmyselfhappy December 19, 2012 at 9:12 am

I am loving all things gingerbread at the moment, but these have the added bonus of being healthier! Will definitely be making these :) my boyfriend won’t be able to complain about the healthiness factor!

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rsmacaalay December 20, 2012 at 4:20 am

I so love that first photo, it’s like a postcard you can buy in the bookstore. Nice recipe with a crunch

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JJ - 84thand3rd December 20, 2012 at 11:51 am

Yet another treat to add to my list of ‘cookies to eat for breakfast’ ;D

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Sylvie Shirazi (@gourmandeinthek) December 21, 2012 at 2:42 pm

I was just looking longingly at some Pfeffernüsse the other day wishing I could have some and here you are with a gluten-free version, perfect timing!

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K-bobo @ Gormandize with A-dizzle & K-bobo December 21, 2012 at 2:58 pm

These look beautiful, and what a lovely photo! I’ve bookmarked these to try – and I love the fact that they’re already vegan so I don’t even have to adapt them! Merry Xmas!

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gastromony December 21, 2012 at 3:54 pm

I love Pfeffernüsse and it’s nice to see a recipe for them that is so healthy :) I do like them iced though I must admit :D

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Tessa December 23, 2012 at 10:20 am

Beautiful cookies! Gorgeous photography as usual!

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lizbakescakes December 26, 2012 at 4:12 pm

Such a healthy Christmas treat – much better for you than traditional gingerbread I’m sure :)

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Kurt December 14, 2013 at 5:27 am

as a German I find this recipe totally strange! However I guess if someone has allergies, what the. I will continue to look for a good traditional recept.

Reply

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