Pfeffernusse!

makes about 3 dozen

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c molasses
• 1/4 c honey
• 1/4 c shortening
• 1/4 c margarine
• 2 eggs
• 4 c flour
• 3/4 c white sugar
• 1/2 c brown sugar
• 1 1/2 t ground cardamom
• 1 t ground nutmeg
• 1 t ground cloves
• 1 t ground ginger
• 2 t anise extract
• 2 t ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 t baking soda
• 1 t ground black pepper
• 1/2 t salt
• 1 c confectioners' sugar for dusting

Directions:

1. Stir together the molasses, honey, shortening, and margarine in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir until creamy. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Stir in the eggs.
2. Combine the flour, white sugar, brown sugar, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, anise, cinnamon, baking soda, pepper, and salt in a large bowl. Add the molasses mixture and stir until thoroughly combines. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
3. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Roll the dough into acorn-sized balls. Arrange on baking sheets, spacing at least 1 inch apart.
4. Bake in preheated oven 10 to 15 minutes. Move to a rack to cool. Dust cooled cookies with confectioners' sugar.