Spicy Cut-out Cookie - Pfeffernuesse

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup (80 ml) mild-flavored molasses
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) butter
• 2 cups (475 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) packed brown sugar
• 3/4 tsp (4 ml) ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp (2 ml) baking soda
• 1/4 tsp (1 ml) ground cardamom
• 1/4 tsp (1 ml) ground allspice
• 1/8 tsp (1 ml) black pepper
• 1 beaten egg

Instructions

1. Combine molasses and butter in a small saucepan.
2. Cook and stir over low heat until butter melts.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Pour into a large bowl and cool to room temp.
5. In a medium bowl stir together flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, cardamom, allspice and pepper.
6. Set flour mixture aside.
7. Stir egg into cooled molasses mixture.
8. Gradually stir in flour mixture until combined, kneading in the last of the flour mixture by hand.
9. Cover and chill dough for about 1 hour or until easy to handle.
10. Divide dough into 12 portions.
11. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a rope about 10 inches long.
12. Cut ropes into 1/2 inch pieces.
13. Places pieces 1/2 inch apart on an ungreased sheet.
14. Bake in a 350 degree (175 C.) oven about 10 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are lightly browned.
15. Transfer cookies to paper towels and let cool.