Schlünder Pfeffernüsse, 7.05 oz (200g)

Small round spiced cakes under a sugar glaze — Pfeffernüsse, literally pepper nuts.

The name is old and means what it says: the spice mix historically ran to black pepper alongside the cinnamon, clove and anise, which is why they have a faint heat behind the sweetness. They are soft in the middle, not hard.

A German Advent staple, eaten from a bowl with coffee. They keep well in a closed tin and actually improve after a few days.

Made to European food rules on additives and labelling.