Pfeffernüsse

Source: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/8317723/pfeffernusse-german-pepper-nut-christmas-cookies/

Ingredients

Cookies

• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Icing

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

1. Combine white and brown sugars in a saucepan with honey, water, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and cayenne pepper. Place over medium heat and whisk until the sugars dissolve and it just starts to simmer, 1 to 2 minutes. Immediately remove from the heat and let cool for 4 to 5 minutes.
2. Add salt, baking soda, heavy cream, and egg and whisk until thoroughly combined. Add flour and stir together with a wooden spoon until everything comes together as a dough.
3. Transfer dough to a piece of plastic wrap. Press into a ball and wrap tightly. Place in the refrigerator and let rest for 1 to 2 days.
4. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
5. Remove dough from the refrigerator and scoop into rounded teaspoons. Roll each one into a smooth ball if desired, and place on a prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake in the center of the preheated oven until cookies are perfectly dome-shaped with light golden brown bottoms, 9 to 10 minutes; don't overbake. Let cool on the pan all the way down to room temperature, 20 to 30 minutes.
7. While the cookies are cooling, repeat Steps 5 and 6 to shape and bake the remaining cookies.
8. Make icing by placing powdered sugar in a bowl. Stir in lemon juice, a few teaspoons at a time, until icing is very thick, but still slightly runny.
9. Dip the top of each cooled cookie into the icing. Let it drip, then flip it over and place on a wire rack set over a piece of parchment paper and let harden.