Monday, December 21, 2009

8 Weeks of Cookies - Cayenne Chocolate Dipped Pfeffernusse

No weekly menu this week since we'll be at Matt's family's for the holidays with a different Christmas celebration everyday. Fingers crossed for no lake effect snow for our journeys. So, today we'll finish off this year's 8 Weeks of Cookies instead.
Chocolate covered pfeffernusse
The last cookie for our cookie tray this year is actually a repeat from last year. It was definitely the most popular cookie from last year so I had to make sure we had it again this year. This little bite-sized cookie is full of the flavors of molasses, allspice, cardamom & cinnamon then we dip it in chocolate that is spiced up with a little cayenne. This recipe makes 240 cookies, which seems like a lot but they are only 1/2-inch pieces & totally addictive!

Cayenne Chocolate Dipped Pfeffernusse

1/3 c molasses
1/4 c unsalted butter
1 egg
1/4 c packed brown sugar
3/4 t cinnamon
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t cardamon
1/4 t allspice
1/8 t pepper
2 c flour
7 - 8 oz chocolate, melted (we used dark chocolate)
1/2 t cayenne pepper or more to taste

Put the molasses & butter into a saucepan & heat over low heat until the butter is melted. Pour into a large bowl & let cool to room temperature.

Beat the egg into the cooled molasses & butter. Stir in the brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, cardamon, allspice & pepper. Add the flour 1/2 cup at a time, incorporating each addition completely before adding the next. Cover the bowl & chill the dough for an hour.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Divide the dough into 12 even pieces. Roll the piece each out into 10-inch lengths. Cut each length into twenty 1/2-inch pieces. Place the pieces 1/2 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 -12 minutes until the sides of the cookies are firm & the bottoms lightly brown. Cool completely

Mix the cayenne into the melted chocolate. Dipped the cooled cookies into the melted chocolate coating about 1/2 of the cookie. Place on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Chill in the refrigerator until the chocolate hardens.

Makes 240 cookies
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8 Weeks of Cookies 2009

8 Weeks of Cookies 2008 (somehow I ended up with 9 weeks)
Apricot Foldover Cookies
Swedish Peppernut CookiesPfeffernusse & Chocolate Covered Pfeffernusse
Dulce de Leche Sandwich Cookies
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© 2007-2009 Kathy Lewinski
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11 comments:

  1. George GastonDecember 21, 2009 at 8:02 AM

    Kat & Matt... you saved the best for last! Love the combination of spices, I see why they are addictive. This would be a great treat while watching one of my favorite films, Chocolat.

    Many thanks for this cookie series ~ all have been bookmark and some already made.

    Wishing you both a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful healthy New Year!

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  2. ElleDecember 21, 2009 at 9:18 AM

    I've always wanted to make these! My mom used to love them, but she always had the store-bought ones, covered in powdered sugar. These look WAY better!

    Here's to safe travels and good times with family--Merry Christmas!

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  3. vanillasugarblogDecember 21, 2009 at 10:02 AM

    ohhh love these! very creative indeed.

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  4. Liz DarnerDecember 21, 2009 at 10:34 AM

    Oh, I'll definitely remember this one for the cookie exchange next year! (BTW, the salted chocolate covered caramels cookies were a hit this year.)

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  5. Unplanned CookingDecember 21, 2009 at 3:05 PM

    Molasses and chocolate? Dreamy.

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  6. graceDecember 21, 2009 at 5:16 PM

    pfeffernusse has always appealed to me, but never so much as your chocolate-dipped version. great idea!

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  7. LoriDecember 22, 2009 at 7:26 AM

    I can't say I've ever had a Pfeffernusse and I'm pretty sure I can't say it either. Ha, ha! They look so good. All that chocolate and the spices. Yum!

    Safe travels and Merry Christmas!

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  8. DeborahDecember 22, 2009 at 11:56 AM

    These sound delicious!

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  9. LoriDecember 22, 2009 at 9:29 PM

    Pfeffernuse is a tradition. I so liked what you did with them here!

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  10. j.dJuly 3, 2010 at 8:40 PM

    ohh these look awesome. i love how creative and daring your cookies are.

    have you guys tried cookies with chinese five spice powder? ive been playing around with recipes but would love to hear any ideas you guys have! :)

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  11. katJuly 5, 2010 at 7:43 AM

    JD - I haven't tried cookies with five spice powder but I bet it would add great flavor

    ReplyDelete

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