The Germans have many traditional recipes for Christmas cookies... this is the week for spicy ones. They are usually better if stored for a few days before eating! These are a very favorite kind...
Pfefferkuchen
1 ¼ c flour
2 t baking powder
½ c sugar
1 egg yolk (vegans leave this out)
2 T milk (or soy milk)
½ c honey (substitute agave nectar if you prefer)
¼ t each cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg
grated peel of one organic lemon
½ t vanilla extract
Mix ingredients in order given.
Then add:
1 stick butter, softened (or very good margarine for vegan)
1 c finely ground nuts (original calls for hazelnuts but any kind you like will work well)
3 T corn starch
1 ½ T cocoa
Knead thoroughly. Let rest at least 15 minutes.
Roll out on floured surface, cut desired shapes and bake at 340°F (175°C) for 8 ? 10 minutes. Do not overbake!
If dough is still too sticky to roll out after 15 minutes you can go ahead and add a little flour, or refrigerate for a while.
Decorate as desired, or leave plain.
A glaze made with a little lemon juice and some powdered sugar works well for sticking on colored sugar (non pareils) or your favorite decorations. Apply at once to cookies while still hot, add decorations quickly. The heat will dry everything very fast.
Or let cookies cool completely and glaze with melted chocolate, then add your favorite decorations.
Store in an air-tight box for a few days to mellow out the flavors!
Let's see what the Advent Calendar will surprise us with today! Here is number 13, the big bakery window!
What's inside? Gingerbread men (looks like they were made with today's recipe!) 
Have a magical day!
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Comments: 26
Hope you all enjoy them - do post pics!
Elsie - sorry about that - I missed it this time... My sister and her kids choose to eat honey, so I don't need to leave it out...
William, I didn't know that was the reason, but it's definitely true that German cakes and cookies are much less sweet than American ones. I have to admit that my tastes have changed over the years - today I prefer things with less sugar...
Thanks for posting to "All Photo Essays Here".
Also- on the Gingerbread recipe- do you necessarily have to line the cookie tin? I have professional Gingerbread molds - the sheet material is really good-not typical. All it require is spritz of veggie oil.
Would it be problematic to not line it with parchment? I also plan to decorate these.
Thanks again,
and many blessings!
Wolfgang
We remodelled our kitchen last year- and all my old pans- wouldn't fit in the new ovens- I have two side by side on a residential commercial stove. Its 48" wide- with eight burners, and I have a pan filler- so I don't have to haul big stock pots and such around the Kitchen. Also- as my Name day gift this year, I was presented with enameled cast iron pots and pans- in blue. They are wonderful to cook with. Today- in fact, I made Bean Soup in one of the Large Dutch ovens. So everything has been an adventure! A good one indeed. So much to learn! I am planning on learning to make wedding cakes and such... It will be fun, and relaxing- cooking is a bit of a hobby for me.
After the holiday- I plan to learn to make a Linzer Torte. :)
Thanks for the answer about the pans. :) I'll just make sure and oil them well.
Let you know how they come out...tomorrow- I go shopping for the rest of the things I need for making these recipes. I also plan to bake some Amish Bread. You make it from a starter- has a very cinnimon taste to it- also has Applesauce and Vanilla pudding in it. Its wonderful to have with Cocoa, Kaffee,or Tee.
Again- Danke Schoern!
blessings,
Wolfgang