Recipe

Pink Peppercorn Sugar & Spice Cookies

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Photo by arielleclementine

This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Holiday Cookie

This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Chewy Sugar Cookie
A&M's Testing Notes: In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I have never been a big sugar cookie fan. Stick an array of cookies in front of me and I'll go for the chocolate chip every time; however...
In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I have never been a big sugar cookie fan. Stick an array of cookies in front of me and I'll go for the chocolate chip every time; however, since first seeing this recipe, I've been intrigued by the inclusion of pink peppercorns. I mixed up a batch tonight and I was sold from the first lick of the bowl. They were cinch to put together even though I didn't realize until halfway through that I was missing two ingredients -- the ground cardamom and turbinado. For the cardamom, I just crushed a few whole pods, removed the seeds, and whacked them with my meat pounder, Amanda style. In lieu of the turbinado, I just sprinkled with regular cane sugar but I'm sure the crunch provided by turbinado would have been better. As I settled on the couch with a cookie and a glass of milk, my husband snatched half of the cookie out of my hand. After the first bite, he was off the couch and headed to the kitchen to grab his own, while stating "These are great. Not too sweet and not too much cinnamon." I agree wholeheartedly. These are sugar cookies for grown-ups with just the right mix of sugar and spice. - melissav

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Chef
arielleclementine's Notes: Soft and chewy is the only way to go with sugar cookies, and this one definitely fits the bill. The pink peppercorn and dash of spices give the cookies a warm glow that pairs rather nicely...
Soft and chewy is the only way to go with sugar cookies, and this one definitely fits the bill. The pink peppercorn and dash of spices give the cookies a warm glow that pairs rather nicely with the turbinado sugar crust on the outside. Side note: you can crush the pepper in a mortar and pestle or peppermill, or just put them in a ziploc bag and bash them with a heavy pot :)

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Serves 3 dozen cookies

3 cups all-purpose flour Ask a question about this ingredient

1 teaspoon baking soda Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt Ask a question about this ingredient

1/2 teaspoon crushed pink peppercorn Ask a question about this ingredient

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom Ask a question about this ingredient

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice Ask a question about this ingredient

1 1/2 cup granulated sugar Ask a question about this ingredient

1/2 cup lightly packed light brown sugar Ask a question about this ingredient

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), soft, but still a bit cool Ask a question about this ingredient

2 large eggs, room temperature Ask a question about this ingredient

turbinado sugar, for sprinkling Ask a question about this ingredient

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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In a medium-sized bowl, stir flour, baking soda, salt, crushed pink pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, and allspice until well combined.
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Combine sugars and softened butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 minutes. Mix in eggs one at a time, and then turn the mixer to low. Gradually add flour mixture and mix until combined.
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Drop rounded tablespoons of dough about 2 inches apart onto parchment paper lined cookie sheets. Flatten cookies with a wet hand, and then sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
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Bake cookies until the edges become lightly golden, 10-12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack and enjoy!
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17 Comments on Pink Peppercorn Sugar & Spice Cookies

BlissfulBaker added about 1 year ago

I made these tonight. Absolutely delicious! However, mine didn't come out soft & chewy, but crispy instead. I don't know why, since I followed the recipe exactly. It's not a problem, just unexpected. They still taste great!

arielleclementine added about 1 year ago

I'm so happy you liked them! Sorry yours turned out crispy- maybe our ovens run at different temperatures, or your cookie sheet was thinner than mine? If you decide to make these again, I'd just take a couple minutes off the cooking time.

Rivka added over 2 years ago

I am SO with you on the not being a sugar cookie fan, but these have been on my drool list for quite some time -- thinking I may make them this weekend.

arielleclementine added over 2 years ago

thanks, rivka! i hope you like them :)