Roti Gambang [ Pfeffernusse ]

When I was a kid, pastries with cream puff and chocolate was expensive, I didn't eat much of those fancy food, but I did munch a lot on this one particular bread: ROTI GAMBANG. The taste was simple, its sweet, moist, molassesy, spicy and bready. Its been years I dont find that bread anywhere, yet I never forget how it tastes. One day I stumbled upon a German cookies Recipe called Pfeffernusse, and yes, it tastes exactly like my childhood memory Roti Gambang! umm.. well, I must admit this cookies taste a bit richer and more complex then Roti Gambang, I take it as a fancy Roti Gambang.
Euphoria!!!



Ingredients:
4 cups of all-purpose flour
1 Tsp baking soda
1 Tsp baking powder
½ Tsp salt
1 Tsp Cinnamon
½ Tsp Cloves (powdered)
½ Tsp Nutmeg
1 Tsp Allspice
½ Tsp blackpepper
¾ Cup molasses
¾ Cup honey
¼ Cup vegetable shortening
1 egg
1 Tsp anise extract
½ Cup powdered sugar (sesame seed will be perfect but today I didnt have it in hand)
1 Tbsp flour (to sprinkle on baking pan)

1. Shift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and pepper. Set aside.
2. In a saucepan, warm molasses and honey over low heat. Add shortening and keep stirring until it melted.
3. In a mixing bowl, beat egg and anise extract. Add in the dry ingredients and the molasses mix. Mix unti well blended.
4. Divide dough in 3, shape each into small log. Refrigate dough for minimum ½ hour.
5. Cut the logs into small coins and shape the coins into half size ping pong ball with hand. (if you are using sesame seeds, sprinkle the seed over the dough on this stage). Preheat oven to 350 F.
6. Sprinkle flour onto the baking pan and place the dough balls on it. The dough will not rise much after baking, you don`t need to place each of them too far apart

6. Bake the dough for about 15 minutes
7. Let cool then sprinkle the powdered sugar.


Note: The texture will come out moist and a bit bready.

Happy Cooking!