I normally don't eat cookies or make cookies on a regular basis. This weeks #Hivetopchef theme was Christmas cookies. I decided that I would participate.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a Christmas person joining in the ritualistic Christmas activities. I am kind of a Grinch. I don't know how I became this way.
Last year in December Marc and I went to Bangkok Thailand and Bali to escape not only the severe cold but to escape the cheesy commercial hype that occurs in Canada where people are stressed to get the right gifts and are financially stressed as well. It turned out that Bangkok was in full swing with the Christmas hype. We didn't mind it though because we were wearing shorts and strolling in warm balmy weather.
I know and understand the feeling people get at this time when we take time to slow down and celebrate with friends and family. I don't have this need but this year, we have been told not to get together with anyone outside of the household. Because of this I would like to put aside my inner Grinch.
My partner's parents are German. Quite a long time ago at Christmas dinner they had some imported cookies from Germany. They were called Pfeffernusse. They are a spice cookie. I normally don't care to eat cookies except for the odd occasion, but these were quite tasty.
Pfeffernusse
2 1/4 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup vegan margarine
3/4 cup cane sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 flax egg made from 1 teaspoon ground flax and 3 tablespoons water
Mix the spices with the flour.
Mix wet ingredients.
Mix everything together.
It has a crumbly consistency but no big deal you just have to wet your fingers a bit while you gently roll into one inch balls.
Put them in a preheated oven on 350 degrees F for around 10 to 15 minutes. Be careful not to overcook. They are done when they start to crack a bit.
When they have cooled off, coat them in icing sugar. I used organic icing sugar.
I was not able to tolerate sugar at this point so I asked Marc to make a sacrifice and taste them, which he was happy to do for me.
He said they were delicious and they were much like the cookies his parents had at Christmas. He really liked them, but like me, we can only eat so much sugar.
Anyway Christmas cookies are to be shared so I will give a gift to coworkers and Marc's parents.
I did keep a few aside for the moment when I feel like having a sugar kick. It doesn't happen often but you never know.
Have a nice day folks!