Danish pepper cookies (Pebernødder)

Pebernødder cookies are a staple in every Danish household during the Christmas season. They are usually light brown in color, small in size, crispy, and generously seasoned with a variety of spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove, and white pepper.

Even though they can be made throughout the year, the cookies are traditionally prepared in the days preceding and following Christmas. They are also the perfect complement to a cup of coffee or tea. Not much is known about the origin of these traditional cookies, but it is believed that they date back to the 1500s.

Today, some varieties of pebernødder cookies are found in parts of North America and in many European countries.