Peppernuts

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

Peppernuts are tiny, spice-packed cookies with deep roots in the state’s German and Mennonite immigrant heritage, especially among the descendants of Volga Germans who settled in the Midwest. Though inspired by the traditional German pfeffernüsse, these cookies have evolved into a distinct regional specialty, especially popular during the Christmas season. Despite the name, peppernuts contain no nuts. Instead, the defining feature is their bold, aromatic spice blend—typically including cinnamon, cloves, and anise. The dough is rolled into thin ropes, sliced into tiny discs, and baked until crisp, resulting in hundreds of miniature cookies with a satisfying snap and deep, warming flavor. Baked in massive batches and stored in tins for weeks, peppernuts are more than just cookies—they’re edible traditions, passed down through generations and tied to community, family, and faith. Served by the handful, these bite-sized treats are a nostalgic and comforting taste of the Midwest’s multicultural heritage.