Pfeffernuesse (Peppernuts)

Yes, these do have pepper in it! The first batch I made came out on the mild side. My husband challenged me to make them taste "spicier". So I quadrupled the amount of spices (ground ginger, cardamon, cloves and pepper). He liked the new version and maybe you will too. They also have cinnamon, ground almonds and candied lemon peel in them. No butter at all. This is a traditional Austrian Christmas cookie. They are usually on the hard side but I made the dough extra soft and they are not hard at all.