Paleo Pfeffernusse | Grain-Free Christmas Cookies

Growing up, my dad and I had a couple favorite Christmas cookies we’d buy as a splurge each year. Did you ever have the Archway Cherry Chip Nougat cookies? Oh, my, those were good. I can still taste them now. Maybe I need to make a copycat! The others were Archway Pfeffernusse cookies. There’s something about those spicy little bites that calls out to me and says “it’s Christmas time!” Now you can buy Trader Joe’s Pfeffernusse and even Aldi has pfeffernusse at Christmas – but they’re not for those who are eating grain-free or gluten-free. So I worked and worked and created a Paleo pfeffernusse – which means they’re grain-free, dairy free, and naturally sweetened Christmas cookies. Oh – and they’re delicious. 🙂

They do have a hefty ingredient list – but they’re good enough it might be worth mixing up double or triple the spice blend so you can make them a few times this year. It is WORTH IT. I sent my dad a batch all nicely boxed up, and they did get his hearty approval – and I don’t think he even knew he was eating Paleo pfeffernusse! For me, baking these cookies is a way to connect a sweet memory from my childhood, with a current twist for how my body seems to be healthiest!

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Paleo Pfeffernusse

Grain-free and naturally sweetened, these Paleo Christmas cookies are chewy, spicy, and taste of Christmas.

Course: Dessert

Keyword: Christmas dessert, Paleo dessert

Author: Angela Sackett | Everyday Welcome

Ingredients

• 3 cups pecans or pecan pieces
• 1 teaspoon dried orange rind
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• ¾ teaspoon cardamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground clove
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon anise extract
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• 2 eggs room temperature
• 3 tablespoons molasses
• ¾ cup coconut sugar
• ⅓ cup coconut flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• generous pinch sea salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
3. Process pecans in food processor until they form a “butter” (a grainy texture like almond butter), stopping several times to scrape sides of bowl.
4. Add molasses, egg, and coconut sugar and process again until well blended (about 45 seconds), scraping bowl again.
5. Add spices and flour, soda, and salt.
6. Process for an additional 30-45 seconds, or until well blended.
7. Use two spoons to round dough and drop by medium sized tablespoons onto cookie sheet (mixture will be very sticky).
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes, or until top has just set.
9. Sprinkle, if desired, with all-natural powdered sugar.

Recipe Notes

Originally shared by Angela Sackett at DancingWithmyFather.net.

Do you have a favorite childhood recipe you make today? (Or maybe I should ask – do you have a favorite childhood recipe you’d like re-made?! I might take the dare!) I’m willing to expand my Paleo Christmas cookie repertoire – because Paleo pfeffernusse, in my humble opinion, was a definite success.

Weigh in! What’s your favorite Christmas cookie?

Inspiring {warm, spicy, memory-making} welcome,

Angela