Advent Day 5: Pfefferneusse (German Cookies)

Spices in the Bible are used in many ways:  valuable resources, sacrifices, gifts, cooking and as metaphors.  The focus today is on Collosians 4:6 "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned ..., so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone."  Graciousness and hospitality are two sides of the same coin.

Graciousness is usually referenced with those things that have been gifted to people, or has to do with listening.  In the verse above, the seasoning is added to one's speech after listening, after learning what someone needs, so that the hospitality shines through in a properly seasoned answer or action.

It makes you wonder how much more gracious and hospitable we might be if we listened for the voice of God first.

Petite Peppernuts (Pfeffernuesse)

Ingredients

• ¾ Cup packed brown sugar
• ½ Cup shortening
• 1 egg
• ½ Cup light molasses
• 3 drops anise oil
• 1 Tablespoon hot water
• 3 1/3 Cup flour (can substitute Cup 4 Cup gluten free flower)
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon cloves
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon white pepper

Directions

1. Mix brown sugar, shortening, eff, molasses, anise oil and water.  
2. Stir in remaining ingredients.  
3. Knead dough until molding consistency.  
4. Shape dough into rolls, ½ inch in diameter.  
5. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
6. Heat oven to 350⁰F.  
7. Cut rolls into 1/3 inch slices.  
8. Place slightly apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  
9. Bake until set and golden brown on bottoms, about 9 minutes.  
10. You can use a glaze on them, use powdered sugar to cover them, or some even dip them in melted chocolate.
11. Remove from cookie sheet and allow to cool. 

Makes approximately 200 bite size cookies.