I was very young when my dad was stationed in Garmish-Partenkirchen, Germany, but I still have many warm memories of Christmas, St. Nick, wooden pickles in the Christmas tree, and the great cookies. These spicy, traditional holiday cookies have all the spice of a gingersnap and a texture that’s tender and chewy. This is my adapted recipe, enjoy!

This recipe is great making houses, men & cutouts.

Yields about 2 dozen cookies.

Ready

• 3 cups all-purpose flour (and a little for kneading)
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 8 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature, lightly beaten
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup unsulfured molasses
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ⅛ tsp ground cardamom (optional)
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ¾ tsp ground nutmeg
• ⅛ tsp powdered ginger
• ⅛ tsp ground black pepper
• Finely grated zest of 1 orange
• Confectioners’ sugar

Set

• Mixer with paddle
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper or Silpat mat
• Medium bowl
• Saucepan
• Wooden spoon
• Plastic wrap

Go

Mixing

1. Sift together the flour, baking powder and soda, and salt into a medium bowl.
2. Cream butter and sugar in mixing bowl and beat at medium speed until fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg, lemon juice, spices and orange zest.
4. Heat the honey and molasseses in a small saucepan over low heat until it is just warm and slightly thinned.
5. Beat the honey into the butter mixture in a steady stream until well blended.
6. Remove mixing bowl and with wooden spoon stir the flour mixture gradually into the butter mixture to make a stiff paste.
7. Remove dough from bowl and turn onto lightly floured surface and knead lightly until smooth. Shape dough into roll.
8. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.

Baking

1. Place rack in the center of oven and preheat to 350°F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or Silpat mat.
3. Remove dough from plastic and slice into ¼ inch slices and space on lined baking sheet.
4. Bake 10-13 minutes until lightly brown.
5. Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes.
6. Transfer from baking sheet and let completely cool on wire racks. Once completely cool, sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar and store in an airtight container.

What you should know

These cookies are often glazed in chocolate then decorated with candied fruit and nuts.

Click here for more delicious desserts.

Follow this link for some delicious cookie recipes.