GERMAN PFEFFERNUESSE (PEPPERNUTS)

3/4 cup light molasses
1/2 cup butter or margarine
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
dash of ground black pepper
2 eggs, beaten
Sifted powdered sugar (for dusting)

TO PREPARE THE DOUGH:
In a saucepan combine molasses and butter. Heat and stir molasses mixture until the butter melts. Cool to room temperature.

Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, spices, and a dash of pepper.

Stir eggs into the cooled molasses-butter mixture.

Add dry ingredients to molasses mixture and mix well. Cover and chill overnight.

TO SHAPE AND BAKE THE COOKIES:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a cookie sheet.

Shape the dough into 1-inch balls. Place balls on a greased cookie sheet.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12 to 14 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

Roll in powdered sugar.

Makes about 5 dozen
Adapted from source: Marbalet