The word pfeffernüße translates to "pepper nuts" in German. Pfeffernuse was named for its spicey taste, since it was origonally made with black pepper. Today pfeffernuse usually not made with black pepper, but do include cloves, cinnomon and nutmeg. Pfeffernuse is traditionally made in the Christman season, and are left out with milk, for St. Nicholas by German children.
Some bakery shops make them in the midwest. You could bake your own. The most difficult ingredient is anise seeds.http://www.food.com/recipe/pfeffernusse-german-pepper-nut-cookies-79103
well, that is an interesting question, depending on what kind of lemon cookie you are referring to. my guess is that you are talking about the pfeffernusse. it is a lemon cookie, rarely seen in households, probably because since it is spelled so oddly people think that it is some sort of Indian rice dish. however, the pfeffernusse is not Indian. I'm not sure about the cookie, but I know for a fact that the root of the spelling is German. Hope I helped. Oh, and i am very sorry that this is so long , but I am irritated because I'm listening to a Demi Lovato CD right now, and it makes me feel obligated to make my answer a few lines longer than it normally would be. If you've slugged all the way through this explanation, than i want to thank you. bye!
I called the company - they were bought by Lance (which makes horrible cheap cookies) and they are moving the factory from New York to Ohio . THis was much in the news in New York. The woman I spoke with said that by Frebruary they will be gearing up again and after that the cookies will re-apear in stores. I hope they taste the same......