These are a traditional Xmas treat in Germany and they quite pretty in a nice bowl on the Xmas table or wrapped up as a small gift. They keep for at least a month (so you can make them before Christmas Eve!) & go well with coffee.

This recipe makes about 200 of them – halve it if you’re not making gifts as well.

Peppernuts
120g butter
1 tsp bicarb soda
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup golden syrup
1/2 cup water
2.5 tsp finely grated lemon rind
4 1/2 cup plain flour
1/2 tsp mixed spice
1/2 tsp allspice or cinnamon
Icing sugar

Combine sugar, syrup & water in pan but don’t let it boil until sugar dissolved . Then boil. Remove from heat & add butter & soda.

Cool to lukewarm. Stir in egg, lemon rind, flour & spice. Put dough in fridge for a few hours or overnight.

On lightly floured board, roll dough into sausages about 3mm thick. Cut into 3mm slices. Place on lightly greased oven trays. Bake at 180C for about 12 minutes.

Cool on wire rack, dust with sifted icing sugar.

Store in air tight container.