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Home » Recipes » Cookies

Icelandic Pepper Cookies - Piparkokur

Published: Oct 26, 2020 by Kate Hackworthy · 8 Comments

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Stack of cookies with text: Icelandic Pepper Christmas Cookies
Piled cookies with text: Piparkakor Icelandic Pepper Cookies
Stack of cookies with text: Christmas Icelandic Pepper Cookies Piparkakor

These Icelandic Pepper Cookies, also known as piparkokur or pepparkokur, are a popular Scandinavian Christmas cookie similar to gingersnaps. They are beautifully chewy and easy to make from scratch with no unusual ingredients!

Stack of cookies on a board.

One of the most popular cookies in Iceland is pepper cookies (aka piparkokur or pepparkokur), especially during the holiday season.

There are many different variations popular in Iceland, Belgium, Scandinavia and other countries, but you can choose to make them however you like using this easy recipe for homemade Icelandic pepper cookies. 

Why You'll Love This Recipe

A classic Icelandic cookie recipe.

They are made with simple ingredients that can be found at all grocery stores.

Although they are slightly spicy, they are still kid friendly.

You can cut them out into shapes, dress them in icing or even keep them plain.

Dough can be made ahead to save time in the kitchen.

The dough can also be frozen for later use if you’d like to make a large batch.

They go perfectly with milk or coffee.

Great to make as a holiday gift or for a Christmas cookie exchange.

Pile of cookies, with tag that reads: Icelandic Pepper Cookies.

Ingredients & Tools 

Butter: Binds together the dough and makes it dense yet creamy.

Granulated Sugar: Sweetens up the cookie.

Light Corn Syrup or Golden Syrup: This adds sweetness but also contributes to the overall chewiness of the cookie.

Eggs: Helps bind the cookies together.

All Purpose Flour: A staple ingredient for cookies that can be found anywhere.

Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Helps these cookies rise slightly.

Cinnamon, Cloves & Ginger: This will add the popular warming ginger flavor.

Ground Black Pepper: This gives these cookies the traditional kick of spice making it an official Scandanavian pepper cookie.

How to Make Pepper Cookies

This is an easy 1-bowl Christmas cookie recipe. Follow these simple photo steps for perfect results.

Then, scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.

Collage with bowl of creamed butter and sugar, then with syrup and eggs added.

Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer, or vigorously by hand, then add syrup and eggs.

Collage, with bowl of batter, bowl with dry ingredients in sieve, bowl with it mixed in.

Beat in the eggs and syrup well, then sift in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and spices and mix until combined.

Collage, 1 cookie dough wrapped in plastic, 2 cookie dough rolled out with cookie cutters, 3 cookies on tray.

Wrap the dough and refrigerate overnight.

Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness.

TIP: This is quite a soft dough, but if it’s not manageable to roll and cut, then lightly knead in a little more flour, or else just drop spoonfuls on the cookie sheet.

Cut into rounds with a 2” cookie cutter and place onto the prepared baking sheet, an inch apart.

Bake for 7 minutes.

Dish piled with cookies.

Tips 

Make sure the butter is room temperature to get the correct dough consistency.

The cookies will firm up as they cool. Don't overcook them.

If you don't have time to let the pepper cookie dough chill overnight, you can cook them straight away. The dough will be too soft to roll out, but you can cook spoonfuls dropped onto the cookie sheet.

Cookies that have syrup and sugar can tend to stick to a pan. This is why using parchment or baking paper is ideal on your cookie sheets.

Since piparkokur cookies spread, you may need to use two or more baking sheets depending on how many cookies you’re making in one batch.

Leave enough room in between each cookie so they do not spread into each other.

It’s a very soft sticky dough, but if necessary to roll it out, knead in a little more flour, sparingly.

Serving Suggestions

Pepper Cookies are perfect alongside these Red Wine Spiced Poached Pears with Cinnamon Cream.

Dunk your piparkokur into this delicious Vegan Hot Cocoa.

Crumble them up for this Walnut Granola Breakfast Parfait.

Bring them to a cookie exchange with these Icelandic Christmas Cookies for a Scandanavian Christmas dessert theme.

Use them to top these Vanilla Beet Freakshakes.

Cooling rack with cookies.

Variations

Replace all spices in your piparkokur pepper cookies, except the black pepper, with Pumpkin Pie Spice.

For a unique taste, try using ground white pepper instead of black pepper.

For a slightly more savory kick, add a pinch of paprika.

Use a straw to poke a hole in these cookies before baking. After decorating, string them up and use them as Christmas tree ornaments.

Cut out and decorate with Vegan Icing.

Special diets

To Make Them Vegan: Try using a flax egg or egg replacer and substitute butter for vegan butter in your piparkokur recipe.

To Make Them Gluten Free: You can try using a gluten free flour blend that includes Xanthan gum. They may rise a bit more than traditional cookies and be a bit more dense.

Storage 

To Store: You can store this pre-made pepper cookies dough in the fridge for up to 5 days before baking. Once cookies are cooked they will stay fresh for about 1 week in a sealed airtight container.

Freezing: Both baked cookies and cookie dough can be frozen if sealed for up to 3 months. Make sure the dough is thawed out in the fridge for 24 hours before baking.

FAQs 

What is Golden Syrup? It is a common syrup sweetener in Scandanavain baking. It is similar to what Americans would use molasses for. If you can’t find it in the stores, you can use honey or light corn syrup as a replacement.

Are Gingerbread Cookies and Pepper Cookies The Same Thing? Gingerbread cookies are darker and a bit more pronounced in flavor due to the use of molasses. Pepper cookies are often lighter in texture and flavor.

What Else are Pepper Cookies Called? Pepperkaker in Norway, Piparkakut in Iceland, Brunkager in Denmark, and Piparkokur in Iceland.

Wooden board with cookies.

You’ll Love These Holiday Desserts

I'm sure you will LOVE these pepper cookies as much as we do. Why not try these other Christmas dessert recipes too!

Gingerbread Pumpkin Cupcakes

Chocolate Cake with Black Pepper Buttercream

Avocado Reindeer Brownies

Vegan Vanilla Cake

Christmas Pudding

Get the recipe

Veggie Desserts Cookbook by Kate Hackworthy

Check out the Veggie Desserts + Cakes cookbook on Amazon

📖 Recipe

Stack of cookies with lights in the background.

Icelandic Pepper Cookies (Piparkokur)

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
These Icelandic Pepper cookies, also known as piparkokur or pepparkokur are a popular Christmas cookie similar to a gingersnap in the US. They are beautifully chewy and easy to make from scratch!
4.94 from 16 votes
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Prep Time 13 minutes mins
Cook Time 7 minutes mins
Chilling time 6 hours hrs
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Icelandic, Scandinavian
Servings 30
Calories 163 kcal

Equipment

  • Bowl
  • Electric mixer
  • Oven
  • Cookie sheet
  • Rolling Pin
  • cookie cutters

Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup 250g butter at room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup 250g light corn syrup (or golden syrup)
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 ½ cups all purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer, or vigorously by hand, then mix in the syrup and eggs and beat well.
  • Sift in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and spices and mix until combined. Wrap the dough and refrigerate overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F / 180°C and line two baking sheets with baking paper.
  • Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. This is quite a soft dough, but if it’s not manageable to roll and cut, then lightly knead in a little more flour.
  • Cut into rounds with a 2” cookie cutter and place onto the prepared baking sheet, an inch apart (they will spread a bit).
  • Bake for 7 minutes. Leave on the tray for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool. They will firm up as they cool.

Video

Notes

Make sure the butter is room temperature to get the correct dough consistency.
Cookies that have syrup and sugar can tend to stick to a pan. This is why using parchment or baking paper is ideal on your sheet pans.
If you don't have time for the dough to chill overnight, you can still cook the cookies right away. The dough will be too sticky to roll out, so drop small spoonfuls onto the cookie sheet and bake.
Since the cookies spread, you may need to use two or more baking sheets depending on how many cookies you’re making in one batch. Leave enough room in between each cookie so they do not spread into each other.
It’s a very soft sticky dough, but if necessary to roll it out, knead in a little more flour, sparingly.
To Store: You can store this pre-made dough in the fridge for up to 5 days before baking. Once cookies are baked, they will stay fresh for about 1 week in a sealed airtight container.
Freezing: Both baked cookies and cookie dough can be frozen if sealed for up to 3 months. Make sure the dough is thawed out in the fridge for 24 hours before baking.
What Else are Pepper Cookies Called? Pepperkaker in Norway, Pepparkokur in Sweden (and in Ikea stores worldwide!), Brunkager in Denmark, and Piparkokur in Iceland.

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 83mgPotassium: 43mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 205IUCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

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Comments

    4.94 from 16 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Kathy Manville

    December 13, 2024 at 4:11 am

    4 stars
    I used Kerry Gold butter and golden syrup. I rolled dough out between two pieces of lightly floured parchment paper and dipped 2" cookie cutter into flour before cutting each cookie. That made it fairly easy to handle the soft, sticky dough.
    Baked for 13 minutes. Made 56 cookies.

    Reply
  2. Aldis

    December 03, 2024 at 3:51 pm

    5 stars
    I have made these for some time. Proportions are slightly different. 1/4 cup more for butter and sugar.
    1/4 cup less of flour and 1tsp baking soda. I use more pepper because we like the taste. I don't roll the dough. I drop 1 tbsp of dough on the sheets and bake. They spread and look identical to yours, So much easier than rolling the dough. They are favourites in our partially Icelandic family.

    Reply
  3. Laila

    April 03, 2023 at 4:00 pm

    5 stars
    This was so good! Really easy and tasted incredible.

    Reply
  4. Luci

    December 16, 2020 at 5:47 pm

    5 stars
    These Icelandic Pepper cookies are delicious! I love their chewy texture and flavor! My little one even loved eating and decorating them too!

    Reply
  5. Angela

    November 26, 2020 at 6:18 pm

    5 stars
    I love this cookie recipe, so unique! Tasted incredible and fun to eat something Icelandic!

    Reply
  6. Kerri

    October 26, 2020 at 9:11 pm

    5 stars
    Our trip to Iceland was cancelled a couple of months ago. We've been missing it ever since. I'm going to try these soon and make a whole Iceland day for us!

    Reply
  7. Maria

    October 26, 2020 at 7:19 pm

    5 stars
    I will try these with the kids <3 another activity for them, I'm so excited! :p

    Reply
  8. Lisa | Garlic & Zest

    October 26, 2020 at 6:02 pm

    5 stars
    I was just telling my husband that I want to start making Christmas cookies from other parts of the world. Bingo! This sounds like the perfect place to start! They look delicious!

    Reply

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Kate Hackworthy in the kitchen

Hi, I'm Kate, a journalist, author and multi-award-winning food blogger. Here you'll find vegetarian recipes and vegan recipes celebrating vegetables, from dinner to dessert! If you love vegetables, you've come to the right place. About Me

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