If you love cookies, these gluten free pfeffernusse cookies will soon become one of your favorites :-). Crunchy, with a hint of spice, these German holiday cookies make a delicious treat all year long.
If you are looking for more gluten free cookie recipes, check out all of my gluten free holiday cookies.
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This recipe is for my die-hard gluten free cookie fans. (My kids also just asked me to tell you to try two of their favorites: Gluten Free Nutella Stuffed Linzer Cookies and these Gluten Free Russian Tea Cookies.)
I am so excited for this holiday season. Cookies are my thing, as you can probably tell from all of the cookie recipes on my blog. The holidays are an excuse to make cookies more often :-).
You will love how this recipe came to be. I was at fencing class with my son when I got an urgent text message from Mr. Fearless Dining. It was a photo of a box of regular pfeffernusse cookies and a note, "please make this gluten free for me soon."
What are Pfeffernusse Cookies?
Pfeffernusse are a popular cookie in Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
My husband's family is from Germany and his grandmother used to bake homemade pfeffernusse cookies during the holidays. Since going gluten free, he hasn't really thought about this cookie...until he was grocery shopping with our daughter a few days ago.
Seeing the box of cookies triggered his memories and I knew I had to create a gluten free version for him. One bite of this gluten free pfeffernusse cookie and I think you will be hooked too.
It is pretty hard to resist when he asked so nicely :-).
Want to see more gluten free cookie recipes? Click here to see all cookie recipes on this site.
Did you know you can also use this recipe to make amazing Gluten Free Cookie Mix? Just layer it in a mason jar for easy gift giving!
Ingredients:
- Gluten free flour blend, (*Note, my flour blend has xanthan gum included. If yours doesn't, add 1 teaspoon.)
- Almond flour
- Cinnamon
- Allspice
- Nutmeg
- Cloves
- Baking soda
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Molasses
- Egg
- Vanilla
- Powdered sugar, for dusting after the cookies have cooled
Instructions:
In a bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients. Hint: You may need to chop up a bit of the almond flour like you can see in this picture.
How do you store almond flour so it doesn't get rancid?
I store my almond flour in the refrigerator to prevent it from going rancid. This cold makes the almond flour bunch up a bit sometimes.
Whisk together the wet ingredients in a separate bowl. Next, pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well.
How to make the perfectly shaped cookies
Use a cookie scoop to make your cookie balls. I used to drop the cookies onto the cookie sheet with a spoon, but my son really likes when the cookies are all uniform and "pretty" so I now use a cookie scoop.
How long do you bake pfeffernusse?
Bake your cookies at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes. You don't want to over-bake them and have them get too hard. Once the cookies have baked, you will want to roll them in powdered sugar.
This cookie recipe is perfect for a holiday party, or even a cookie exchange party. Although these gluten free pfeffernusse cookies remind me of Christmas, they are a delicious cookie to bake all year round! Here are my favorite gluten free cookies to make for a cookie exchange party.
Can you make these cookies dairy-free?
You can make them dairy-free by using palm shortening, or coconut oil. It will change the texture a little bit, but the flavor is still great!
If you want to create a delicious German dinner to enjoy before you eat these cookies, check out my Gluten Free Schnitzel recipe! This recipe also includes a recipe for German potato salad that is delicious with the schnitzel!
More Delicious Gluten Free Cookie Recipes To Try!
- Gluten Free Ginger Cookies
- Gluten Free Austrian Vanillekipferl Cookies
- Gluten Free Roasted Chestnut Cookies
- Swiss Brunsli Cookies
Tools:
- A cookie scoop makes sure all of your cookies are perfectly the same size.
- Almond flour adds a little protein to balance out the sugar.
📋 Recipe
Gluten Free Pfeffernusse Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups gluten free flour blend (*Note, my flour blend has xanthan gum included. If yours doesn't, add 1 teaspoon.)
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon all spice
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 stick of butter melted (1/2 cup)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon water
- powdered sugar for dusting after the cookies have cooled
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, add all dry ingredients.
- Whisk to blend.
- In a small bowl, add all wet ingredients and mix well.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- Mix well.
- Use a cookie scoop to drop dough balls onto a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until done.
- Remove and move to a cooling rack.
- Allow to cool.
- Drop each cookie into powdered sugar and toss to coat.
Notes
Nutrition
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Su
What can I substitute the egg for? Thanks!
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Su, I have never made these without egg. You could try an egg replacer. Let me know how it goes.
Aviva
I just made a batch, and they turned out great! I'm at altitude, so I used a scant 1/2 tsp of baking soda, amped up the spices, and they're delicious.
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you liked these Aviva. I appreciate your coming back to let me know 🙂
Ang
Have you ever frozen these? Do you think they would be ok to freeze? Thanks!
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Ang. They freeze really well, but hold off on the powdered sugar until you thaw them out. Otherwise the sugar gets odd when it defrosts. Thank you so much!
Ang
Thanks! I was thinking the powdered sugar wouldn't do well. They turned out SO good! Love all the spices in every bite! My kiddos enjoyed them too. We will be freezing the rest for the big Christmas with my family!I did put the butter in when it wasn't entirely melted. The wet ingredients ended up too cold and separated but I popped it in the microwave for 30 seconds and all was good! Thanks for this awesome recipe!
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad your family liked them Ang. You made my day 🙂
Debra C.
How delicious! I love that your hubby came home with the request also. Very fun and what a treat! These cookies look delicious!
Sandi Gaertner
LOL, he can be a bit pushy when it is about a dessert 🙂