Grain Free Pfeffernusse
on Nov 27, 2020, Updated Nov 20, 2024
We are participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Please see my disclosure policy.
Table of Contents
What Makes This Recipe Great
Oh yeah baby it’s cookie season!! One of my all time favorite Christmas cookies are Pfeffernusse. Even if I might mispronounce the name. I just love these small cookies that are packed with spices and coated with powdered sugar! They had some at Trader Joe’s around the holidays for years but I never saw them last year and haven’t seen them this year – a travesty. BUT luckily we put together a healthier grain free version that is out of this world delicious and makes an incredible replacement!
The cookie part of this recipe is all Paleo but I am not calling them paleo as they are covered with powdered sugar!! It’s just such a necessary part of this cookie, I couldn’t dare leave it off. If you are in the cookie season mood, head to the store to make some of these babies while you decorate for the holidays… if you haven’t done so already! I started decorating a couple of weeks ago but we are waiting until today to put up our tree. Just had to save something to make the kick off to Christmas special. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and have the best December to close out the craziest year of our lives!!
Ingredient List
- Almond Flour
- Baking Soda– not to be confused with with baking powder
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Allspice
- Nutmeg
- Ground Black Pepper– just used the cracked pepper in your cabinet
- Ghee
- Coconut Sugar
- Molasses– light or dark molasses works best for this recipe
- Egg– make sure they are room temp
- Vanilla– be sure and measure with your heart
- Confectioner’s Sugar
Step By Step
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl mix together almond flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice and pepper.
- In separate bowl mix the room temp ghee and coconut sugar and mix until combined. Add molasses, egg and vanilla mix to combine.
- Pour the wet ingredients in to the dry and stir until evenly combined.
- Scoop small 1 inch balls onto cookie sheet.
- 350 degree oven for 13-15 minutes or until small cracks form on the top.
- Let the cookies cool completely, then place them in a large ziplock bag with the powdered sugar and shake to coat.
Holiday Cookies Galore
Pin the image below to save this Grain Free Pfeffernusse recipe for later!
Grain Free Pfeffernusse
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups almond flour
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup ghee room temp
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl mix together almond flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice and pepper.
- In separate bowl mix the room temp ghee and coconut sugar and mix until combined. Add molasses, egg and vanilla mix to combine.
- Pour the wet ingredients in to the dry and stir until evenly combined.
- Scoop small 1 inch balls onto cookie sheet.
- 350 degree oven for 13-15 minutes or until small cracks form on the top.
- Let the cookies cool completely, then place them in a large ziplock bag with the powdered sugar and shake to coat.
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I love these cookies and have recently started cutting gluten from my diet. Perfect timing!
Hope you love them!
Sounds sooo yummy!
Any replacement ideas for the coconut sugar? (I have an allergy to coconut) 🙁
If you are okay with regular cane sugar, that is fine!
Made this with my toddler and the flavor was amazing but my cookies flattened. Help!
Make sure you let the dough chill in the fridge before you bake! Also make sure the balls are not to large.
Omg this are my new all time fave cookies!!! They are chewy and the perfect amount of sweetness!! AMAZING!
We love to hear this!!! Enjoy
Loved these! Hit the spot for the holiday season. The chewiness of the cookie was perfect
Yessss!
This is an amazing post I love and like food
Keep it up thanks
Give u five star review
Absolutely love these cookies! Pfeffernüsse are a family favorite and I love being able to make this grain free version. Making some to take with me when I fly to see family this Christmas!
Yes they truly are the best!
Any suggestions for the quantity of honey I might use to replace all the coconut sugar?
Same amount I would assume, just not sure what the outcome will be.
Hi. I thought I’d never be able to have the beloved cookies of my childhood every again. I can’t wait to try this. Can unsalted butter be used in place of the ghee? If so, should it be melted and cooled or just room temperature? Thanks.
You should be able to just use it at room temp!