Norway s Best Pepper Cookies

1 ⅛ cups butter

1 cup white sugar

¼ cup heavy whipping cream

1 teaspoon baking soda

3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 ½ teaspoons ground cardamom

1 teaspoon baking powder

Cream together the butter and the sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the cream. Add the baking soda and little water (no more than 2 tablespoons) to the butter mixture.

Sift the spices, baking powder and flour into the butter mixture. Blend until a nice dough is formed. Roll dough into sausages about 2-1/2 inches in diameter wrap tightly and let dough chill thoroughly.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Remove chilled dough and cut into thin slices. Bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet for 6 to 8 minutes. Let cookies cool on wire rack.