Italian Pepper Cookies Recipe: Bake in 15 Minutes

Italian Pepper Cookies Recipe: Bake in 15 Minutes

Ready for a quick and easy cookie recipe that’s also delicious? These Italian Pepper Cookies take only 15 minutes to cook, and they’ll be a hit with your friends and family.

Plus, you can customize them however you like by using different types of peppers. Cookies are the small refreshments for your tea and coffee, and making them tastier is your choice.

So give them a try today and enjoy them with your friends and family. These are also great food gifting, for different occasions.

What are the Italian pepper cookies?

Italian pepper cookies

When most people think of Italian cookies, they think of the classic cannoli. However, another Italian cookie is just as delicious and deserves attention: the pepper cookie. This unique treat is made with flour, sugar, eggs, butter, baking powder, salt, and ground black pepper.

The cookies are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the peppery flavor comes through when you bite into one. If you’re looking for a new cookie to try this holiday season, give pepper cookies a chance!

These cookies are great for holiday cookie exchanges or anytime you need a special treat. They’re also perfect for gift giving. 

Can I make these cookies at home?

Absolutely! This is a quick and easy recipe that anyone can make. Just follow the instructions below, and you’ll have delicious Italian pepper cookies in no time.

How long does it take to make these cookies?

These cookies only take 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to bake, so they’re perfect for when you’re short on time. It’s fast, yummy, and the perfect match for your tea and coffee.

Italian Pepper Cookies Recipe: Bake in 15 Minutes

Italian Pepper Cookies Recipe

Do you want to try different but delicious cookies? Try these Italian Pepper cookies! They are simple to make and ready in 15 minutes. Let's try?
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine Italian
Servings 12 Cookies

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment Paper

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup All-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, at room temperature (1 stick)
  • 1 cup Sugar (divided)
  • 2 Large eggs (beaten)
  • 1 tbsp Anisette or other anise-flavored liqueur
  • 3 tbsp Finely chopped candied or dried orange peel
  • 1 tbsp Finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup Whole blanched almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • Cream butter and 3/4 cup sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and anisette. Stir in the flour mixture until just combined.
  • Stir in orange peel, rosemary, pepper, and almonds.
  • Form dough into 1-inch balls. Place balls on a prepared baking sheet and flatten slightly. Sprinkle it with the remaining sugar.
  • Bake cookies until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
  • Enjoy!
Keyword Italian Pepper Cookies Recipe

What is the best type of flour for these cookies?

We recommend using all-purpose flour for this recipe. It’s a good all-purpose flour that will work well in these cookies, and it would be best to use this recommended flour for the best results.

Can I add or replace some ingredients?

Yes, of course!

You can easily customize these cookies to your liking. If you don’t like anise, you could replace it with vanilla extract.

Or, if you’re not a fan of black pepper, you could leave it out completely.

And if you’re looking for a little more crunch, you could add chopped nuts or seeds to the dough. Just be creative and have fun with it!

We hope you enjoy these Italian pepper cookies! They’re a delicious and unique treat perfect for the holidays or any special occasion. So give them a try today!

Tips and tricks for a better cookies recipe

Black pepper for the cookies

First of all, make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before beginning the recipe. Room temperature ingredients mix more easily and produce a more consistent dough.

  • Preheat your oven before beginning to make the cookies so that it’s ready when they’re done.
  • Use a light hand when mixing the ingredients. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.
  • Chill the dough for at least an hour before baking. This will help to prevent spreading and produce a more consistent cookie.
  • Use a small ice cream scoop or spoon to portion the dough onto the baking sheet. This will help ensure that all of the cookies are the same size.
  • Bake the cookies until they’re just barely golden brown. They may look underdone, but they’ll continue to cook as they cool on the baking sheet.
  • Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • If you want to dress up your cookies, try dipping them in chocolate or sprinkling them with cinnamon sugar.
  • You can also use this dough to make peppermint bark cookies! Roll the dough into a log, wrap it in parchment paper, and freeze it for an hour. Once frozen, use a sharp knife to slice it into thin slices. Bake as directed and then top with melted chocolate and crushed candy canes.
  • Don’t have peppermint extract? You can substitute vanilla extract in the recipe.
  • Not a fan of black pepper? Try using white pepper instead. It will give the cookies a more subtle flavor.
  • These cookies freeze well, so feel free to make a double batch and save some for later.
  • Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.

If you want your cookies to be extra spicy, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dough.

And finally, these cookies are also delicious with a cup of coffee or tea. Enjoy!

5 Side dishes to serve with these cookies

Milk and cookies

Who doesn’t love a good Italian meal? The delicious pasta, the flavorful sauce, and of course, the tantalizing cookies. What’s not to love? But what do you serve as a side dish to this scrumptious feast? 

1. Kale and roasted garlic salad:

This simple salad is a great way to get your greens in, and the roasted garlic adds a nice depth of flavor.

2. Roasted Brussels sprouts:

These Brussels sprouts are roasted with balsamic vinegar, which gives them a nice balance of sweetness and acidity.

3. Creamy polenta with roasted mushrooms:

This dish is rich and comforting, and the mushrooms add a nice earthy flavor.

4. Roasted cauliflower with Parmesan cheese:

This simple dish is a great way to get your veggies in, and the Parmesan cheese adds a nice depth of flavor.

5. Sautéed spinach with garlic and lemon:

This dish is a great way to get your greens in, and the garlic and lemon add a nice depth of flavor.

Final Words

These Italian Pepper Cookies are the perfect balance of sweet and savory. The anisette gives them a hint of licorice flavor, while the orange peel and rosemary add a touch of bitterness.

The black pepper adds just a little bit of heat. And the chopped almonds give them a nice crunch. These cookies are perfect for the holidays or any special occasion. So give them a try today!

Similar Recipes from HotSalty:

Avatar
Candy Seideman has been cooking for most of her life. In fact she is referred to as "The Chef" by most of her close family not only because she attended culinary school and was an actual chef, but also because she has a passion for cooking for friends and family.