Back when my children were young and Great Grandma “GG” lived with us (2001-2013) we made this tiny, crunchy, German cookie called Pfeffernusse, or Peppernuts. Every October Great Grandma would get the hankerin’ to buy the ingredients needed for this cookie which makes about 5 pounds per recipe. Family and neighbors always enjoyed receiving these as CHRISTmas gifts in December. GG’s labor of love took patience and hours of work and sacrifice in the kitchen. Perhaps that is why they were, and are still, appreciated so much – because very few of us find the time to make this holiday treat.
Eventually I began taking over some of the dough to my senior homes so they could get in on the fun and enjoy some these delicious cookies filled with warming spices. Cutting these tiny strands of dough became our finger exercises for the day, too!
Now we are making these highly addictive cookies with our Koinonia Senior Care volunteers for our ministry fundraiser. From October through December 10, orders can be placed by calling Christine at (316) 209-9028.
Today, the aroma of peppernuts baking in the oven awaken my senses and transport me back to the sweet memories we have in the kitchen with “GG.” I’ve learned from her that the kitchen becomes the gathering place where we talk and enjoy time together with friends and family over a common cause – the making and gifting of peppernuts.
May the fragrance of CHRISTmas baking in the oven of your heart awaken your senses and transport you back to the precious memories you have of the CHRISTmas story. May your home become the gathering place where you talk with friends and family over a common cause – the making of memories together and the gifting of God’s Son, Jesus, to the world.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
