The follow is our favorite at Christmas. Pfeffernüsse (peppernuts) . Ingredients; ½ lb. butter ½ C. sugar 2 Tablspoons Molases 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extrract 2 ¾ C. flour 1 C. walnuts or almonds (ground in nut grinder or food processor) ½ C. candied orange peel 1 lemon rind, grated, plus the juice 2 tsp. cinnamon ½ tsp. cloves 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper (optional) 1 tsp. Cardamom Glaze 1 cup powdered sugar 2 Tablespoons lemon juice 1 /2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Measure out the spices. Cream the butter and sugar and molasses Add the nuts, flour, spices, orange peel and lemon zest, and form into a dough. If it doesn't feel very firm add a bit more flour. It isn't a stiff dough but it should hold together. Now let the dough sit in the fridge overnight. The next day bring out the dough and pre-heat the oven to 300 -325 degrees. ( If your oven tends to run hot keep it to 300) Now I make little balls about 3/4 inch in diameter. They will expand so give them so space. I have them on a parchment paper here, but if you don't have a parchment just grease your baking sheet. Here they are ready to bake. Put in the oven and set the timer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes take out the cookies and let them sit for a minute. Carefully lift up the bottom and check to see if it is lightly browned. You just want these cookies to set but not get too dark. They will get hard. To make the icing measure out 2 cups of powdered sugar and place in mixing bowl. Add 1/4 cup lemon juice. Also a 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla Whip till smooth. It may not look like you have enough liquid but it just takes a little time to absorb it. Dip the top of the cookie only, in the icing like so and place it on the baking sheet. Do this while the cookie is still warm. If they have cooled to much warm a bit in the oven for 1 minute. Continue with all of the cookies and let the icing set. An alternative is to just roll the pfeffernüsse in powdered sugar.

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