crisp peppernuts

for as long as i can remember, our family has made peppernuts @ christmas time. tiny little bites of goodness.....so good that it is nearly impossible to stop after just one handful. the recipe we use every year is on page 25 of a little book called peppernuts plain and fancy , given to my mom during the winter of 1979 from my grandpa swanson who wanted her to be able to make them for my dad as they were his favorite : ) on christmas day this year my mom and i rolled out peppernuts here at our house with our good friends carolin and her family and dear paula! it was so much fun. mid peppernut extravaganza there was a knock @ the door and the smiling faces of the dos santos family appeared in our doorway bearing even more cookies : ) i quickly wrapped up a bag of peppernuts for them and they went on their way. lee-ann has requested the recipe as little amelia just can't get enough "nuf-nuts". i am posting the recipe here to share with all, but especially amelia & lee-ann dos santos. : ) they take a whole lot of work and are best made with the help of as many friends as you can fit around the table but they are well worth the effort!

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tbsp syrup
2 tsp baking soda
3 3/4 cups flour
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2-1 tsp oil of anise, or ground anise (i used 1 1/2 tsp anise extract)
the recipe does not call for the next two ingredients but we add them anyway : )
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp nutmeg

basic directions for mixing peppernuts:

1) cream butter & sugar until fluffy.
2) add eggs one at a time, beating well.
3) add syrup
4) sift dry ingredients with spices and flour.
add 1/2 the amount of flour, mixing well,
add remaining flour & knead thoroughly.
5) store dough in tightly covered container or plastic wrap in refrigerator overnight or longer. this helps the dough to season and spices to blend. ( i find it best to leave dough in fridge for 2 days. the peppernuts do not spread out as much while baking and as far i am concerned, the smaller and crispier the peppernut, the better! )
6) roll dough into thin ropes and slice with a sharp knife.
7) place pieces separately on a baking sheet that has been greased or lined with parchment paper.
8) bake @ 375* for 7 minutes or 'til golden brown. baking time depends on how brown you like peppernuts. different degrees of browning change the flavour and texture of the peppernuts.

manje!