Mennonite Black Pepper Cookies


This is a traditional mennonite holiday treat. Spicy and crisp they are delicious. The recipe says it will make up to 120 cookies, but that will be less if you use very large cookie cutters.

Steps


Melt butter or margarine in medium saucepan.
Add sugar , syrup , and vinegar.
Bring mixture just to boiling.
Immediately remove pan from heat.
Cool to room temperature.
Stir in egg.
Combine the flour , baking soda , ginger , the 1 / 2 teaspoon cinnamon , cloves , pepper and anise seed in a medium bowl: stir into egg mixture.
Mix well to form dough.
Cover and refrigerate overnight for flavors to blend and so that dough is firm enough to roll.
Divide dough into four portions.
Keep portions chilled until ready to roll.
On lightly floured surface roll one portion very thin.
Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters.
Place on a greased cookie sheet.
Sprinkle with ground cinnamon.
Bake in a 375f oven for 4 to 5 minutes or until barely brown around the edges.
Immediately transfer cookies to a wire rack.
Cool.
Repeat with remaining portions of dough.
Store in covered tins.

Ingredients


butter, sugar, dark corn syrup, vinegar, egg, all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, fresh ground pepper, anise seeds