peppernuts

the most wonderful time of the year and like most people I am getting stressed out trying to run around to find the perfect gifts for everyone in my life, make all the plans I need, and keep with my school work. one of my favorite things to do for the holidays is baking for when we have company and as gifts for friends. one of the baked good I like to make at my house are peppernuts (pronounced as pepper- knots) , or as my siblings and I used to call them when we were younger, dog treats. don't worry they don't taste any thing like dog treats but they may be described to look like them.

ingredients:

shortening/oleo

sugar

eggs

cinnamon

baking soda

flour

all spice

ground cloves

nutmeg

pure anise extract

corn syrup

molasses

water

Step one: add 1 cup of creamed shortening and after you have creamed the shortening add 1 cup of sugar into electric mixer and mix

Step two: beat 2 eggs in separate bowl and then add into the cream mixture

Step three: add in 1 1/2 tsp of pure anise extract, 1 tsp on cinnamon, 1/4 tsp of all spice, 1/4 tsp of ground cloves, and 1/2 tsp of nutmeg into electric mixer and mix together.

Step four: in a separate bowl combine 1/4 cup of corn syrup, 1/2 cup of molasses

Step five: in another bowl mix 1/3 cup of water, and 1 tsp of baking soda and then add that to the syrup mixture. after mixing that add it into the creamed mixture that you originally made

Step six: add 6 2/3 cups of flour and then chill in the fridge for 4 hours
Tip: ad only half of the flour at one time and mix and then add the rest. or continuously have the mixer on and pour one cup of flour in at a time.

Step seven: roll out multiple 1/4 inch in diameter "snakes" of dough onto a greased pan and cut so that each cut is about 1/8 of an inch apart.
 

Step eight: for each separate peppernut press your finger on top so they are in an oval shape.

Step nine: bake for 8 min at 400 degrees