[nezperce]

Peppernuts (pepernoten)

Ingredients:
1¼ cup flour, 1¼ cup self-rising f lour, ½ cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp. water, 1 egg yolk, ¼ tsp. Each of cinnamon, nutmeg, powdered cloves, some anise seeds, a pinch of salt.

Preparations:
Knead all ingredients into a soft ball.
Butter 2 baking sheets.
Form about ninety marble-size balls.
Divide them over the sheet, so that they are placed at equal distances from one another.
Flatten each ball slightly.
Bake about 20 minutes in a moderate oven (350° F.), or until done. (They are then very hard).

On Dec. 5th "Pepernoten" are often thrown through the slightly opened door by a black-gloved hand, representing "Black Peter", St. Nicholas’ faithful helpmate. All the children crawl over the floor on which a white sheet is spread and grab what they can, while singing one of the popular St. Nicholas songs. A loud doorbell ringing just before this procedure enhances the excitement.