Pfeffernusse: "pepper nuts"

Dunk these hard cookies in tea or hot chocolate for a traditional German Christmas treat!

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
8 tablespoons butter (room temperature)
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon finely chopped orange zest
1/2 cup icing sugar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and pepper.
In a large bowl combine butter and brown sugar. Beat on medium speed until well blended.
Add honey, egg yolk, and zest. Mix until blended.
Place balls of dough on cookie sheet. Press gently to flatten slightly.
Bake until edges are light brown - about 14 minutes.
Remove from oven and place on cooling rack.
Source: Around the World Cookbook by Abigail Johnson Dodge

Gingerbread Play Dough

Ingredients:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
cinnamon, allspice, ginger, nutmeg

Directions:
Mix flour and salt and cream of tartar in a bowl. Add spices until it smells good. Add boiling water (or hot coffee), and oil. Mix and knead with hands to form a soft dough.
Add rolling pins, cookie cutters and colored play dough to decorate each cookie with.
Have fun!