Pfeffernusse

Pfeffernusse—what’s so difficult about that? Saying it? Spelling it? No, the most difficult thing about these tempting, addictive little holiday treats is resisting them! Pfeffernusse cookies, which translates to “pepper-nuts” cookies, are so named because of the black pepper and nuts in the ingredients list. The recipe for these delicious German confections dates back several centuries, and the cookies have been woven into the Christmas traditions of families all over the world, including mine. When living in Bavaria, my ancestor, Henry Brinkmeyer, would help his father in the family bakery. In 1853, the 25-year-old Henry set sail for America with the pfeffernusse cookie recipe in his pocket and a forever love for Clara Von Frank in his heart. Clara’s family did not approve of Henry and felt she could do much better for herself. Nevertheless, Henry promised to send passage for Clara as soon as he was able, and she soon joined him in America. Henry and Clara married and had thirteen children. Clara continued to bake the traditional pfeffernusse, and as her children grew, they became an essential part of the Christmas cookie baking. The bakery size mix of pfeffernusse cookie dough is stiff and hard to stir. Clever Clara created a game called “Who can make the most stirs?” After passing the dough bowl around the table, the sibling to make the most stirs won a badge of strength. The pfeffernusse recipe has been passed down from Henry’s father to Henry, then on to his daughter Clara M. Brinkmeyer Nigg, her daughter Louise Nigg Marquardt, her daughter Doris Marquardt Akin, her daughter Virginia Akin Gray (me!), her daughter Deborah Gray Turberville, and her daughters Deirdre M. Skaggs and Ashley M. Hickey. That’s eight generations (and counting)! Today, in our respective homes, my daughter Deborah and I carry on the Christmas pfeffernusse cookie tradition, baking dozens of these delightful delicacies to share with family and friends or even just to enjoy with our own cup of hot tea. The bakery size recipe will make about 25 dozen hard, spicy cookies the size of a silver dollar.