This is the "BEST PEPPERNUT RECIPE" and, according to my grandma, it makes 1004. I've never counted, we eat them way too fast for counting. Mr. H calls these cookies "devil buttons" because they are so addictive. So even though Christmas is long gone, I figured I should really share the recipe with the world. (please note, these won't compete with FANCY Christmas cookies anyway)
Here are some hints to make your peppernut baking go smoothly:
- You can find anise oil cheap at iHerb.com. (it's not $0.30 for 2 teaspoons but it's cheap enough) One bottle will make plenty of batches and the shipping was quick and cheap.
- If you don't like anise flavor (black licorice) you won't like these cookies.
- Bake at 350 degrees (not 325)
- Squish them really flat so they get crispy
- Only make half a recipe--you'll eat them all and 1004 cookies is obscene even if they are small (they're more the size of a nickel than a quarter)
- The dough freezes fine, the cookies don't
A bit of history and translation of my grandma's hand written notes:
- "Suzy can eat!" refers to my cousin Suzy with a severe egg allergy--these cookies have no egg
- "Irene's favorite" my maternal grandma was named Irene and she usually made these. But I was told the recipe was from my paternal grandma.
- But this recipe says it's from Ruth Moore who apparently lived on my Grandma's street and went to church with her (so says the note).
- Clearly I have no idea where this family recipe is from. If you have something similar in your family, let me know!
Enjoy! And if you want more nostalgic family recipes, check out this post at Posie Gets Cozy.
I love all the notes on the recipe! That is so cool that you have something with that much history.
Posted by: Roxanne | January 15, 2008 at 09:59 AM
So sweet..I love all the handwritten notes. I'm so lucky to have the dough already :)
Posted by: lauren | January 16, 2008 at 10:39 AM