German Spice Cookies

These traditional German Spice Cookies are a classic holiday treat that’s both soft and crunchy, with a blend of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Sweet and buttery, they’re perfect for snacking or gift-giving, and their unique flavor will leave you wanting more.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and cloves.

Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract.

Gradually mix in the flour mixture until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.

Bake for 12-14 minutes or until the edges are set and the centers are just slightly soft.

Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Yield: 7 cookies.

Notes

Use high-quality spices for the best flavor.

If you don’t have ground cardamom, you can omit it or substitute with an extra pinch of cinnamon.

Soften the butter to room temperature for easier mixing.

Don’t overbeat the dough, as it can lead to tough cookies.

Chill the dough for the full 30 minutes to help the cookies retain their shape.

If you want a crisper cookie, bake for 14 minutes, and for a chewier cookie, bake for 12 minutes.

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Nutrional Value

• Calories: 170
• Total Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4.5g
• Cholesterol: 20mg
• Sodium: 50mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 24g
• Dietary Fiber: 0g
• Sugars: 8g
• Protein: 2g