Bringing Long Pepper Back to the Table: A Spiced Cookie Recipe
To honour long pepper’s forgotten legacy, here’s a recipe that showcases its warm, fragrant heat—Wild Spiced Cookies. These are inspired by medieval spice biscuits, with a touch of honey, citrus, and the slow-burning warmth of long pepper.
Gathering of Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground long pepper
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Method
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and spices.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add honey, orange zest, egg, and vanilla, mixing well.
- Gradually add dry ingredients, stirring until combined.
- Roll dough into small balls, place on the baking sheet, and flatten slightly.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool before serving—enjoy with a cup of spiced tea or warm milk.
Hearthkeepers Secret:
In old kitchens where spices carried stories, a pinch of salt was always added last—not just for balance, but to bless the hands that shared the meal. Before shaping he cookies, sprinkle a tiny pinch of salt over the dough and stir it in. A blessing for warmth, abundance and the quiet comfort of home.
A Spice of the Past, A Flavour for the Future
Long pepper may have been forgotten by time, but its legacy lingers in every grain of black pepper we use today. It was the spice that fuelled empires, enriched apothecaries, and delighted the palates of ancient civilizations.
Perhaps, as we embrace traditional flavours once more, it’s time to bring long pepper back—to our kitchens, our tables, and our stories.
Tips & Tricks
- For extra depth, toast the long pepper in a dry pan before grinding it.
- For a softer chew, replace half of the butter with yogurt or buttermilk.
- For a crispier texture, bake for an extra 2-3 minutes.
- Pair with herbal teas like sage, mint, marigold or chamomile to enhance the flavour
