Pfeffernusse

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).

In a bowl combine flour, pepper, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, and baking soda. Put it to the side.

Place 1/2 cup of softened butter in bowl, as well as the brown sugar, and molasses into stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until fluffy, for just a few minutes. Next, add in egg and vanilla.

On low speed, slowly add in the flour mixture that was set aside. Mix until all ingredients are combined.

Put a sheet of parchment paper over a cookie sheet and using a cookie scoop, scoop out dough and place on cookie sheet as you would baking cookies. Bake for 15 minutes but make sure to rotate cookie sheets halfway. Cookies should have a slight golden brown top and a few cracks. Remove cookie sheet and set aside for about 5 minutes.

Put 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar in a bowl or a ziplock bag and evenly coat the cookies with it. Place powdered cookies on a wire rack to cool for remainder of the time. Once they are cooled put them into an airtight container.