Traditional German Lebkuchen - Holiday Spice Cookies
Experience the warmth of the holiday season with this classic German Lebkuchen recipe. These traditional spice cookies, steeped in German Christmas traditions, bring together flavors of honey and molasses infused with rich spices. Ideal for festive gatherings or as a homemade gift, they capture the essence of Christmas in every bite. Just be sure to bake them to perfection to enjoy their chewy texture.
N/A
Servings
61
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
honey
1/2 cup
molasses
1/2 cup
brown sugar
3/4 cup
egg
1
lemon juice
1 tablespoon
lemon rind
1 teaspoon (grated)
flour
2 3/4 cups (sifted)
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon
cinnamon
1 teaspoon
clove
1 teaspoon
allspice
1 teaspoon
nutmeg
1 teaspoon
citron
1/3 cup (chopped)
nuts
1/3 cup (chopped)
whole blanched almonds
as needed
sugar
1 cup
water
1/2 cup
confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup
Instructions
1
In a saucepan, combine the honey and molasses. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then remove from heat and let it cool completely before proceeding.
2
Once cooled, mix in the brown sugar, egg, lemon juice, and grated lemon rind. Stir until well combined.
3
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, clove, allspice, and nutmeg.
4
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the honey-molasses mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
5
Fold in the chopped citron and nuts, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough.
6
Cover the dough and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to develop.
7
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking sheet.
8
Roll out a portion of dough on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Keep the unused dough chilled.
9
Cut into desired shapes either oblong (1.5" x 2.5") or circles (2" diameter).
10
Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch between each.
11
Gently press three whole almonds on top of each cookie in a floral arrangement.
12
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until lightly browned and imprint resistant to touch.
13
While baking, prepare the glaze by bringing the water and sugar to a boil, reaching 230°F or until it begins to thread.
14
Once boiled, remove from heat and stir in the confectioners' sugar until smooth.
15
When cookies are done, brush a light layer of glaze over each while still warm. If glaze thickens, reheat gently and add a bit of water to restore consistency.
Nutrition Information
1.1g
Fat
11.9g
Carbs
0.7g
Protein
0.3g
Fiber
7.2g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Traditional German Lebkuchen?
Traditional German Lebkuchen are classic holiday spice cookies that combine honey, molasses, and rich spices, often enjoyed during the Christmas season.
What are the primary sweeteners used in this Lebkuchen recipe?
This recipe uses a combination of honey, molasses, and brown sugar to achieve its deep, rich flavor.
What spices give Lebkuchen its signature taste?
The signature taste comes from a blend of cinnamon, clove, allspice, and nutmeg.
Why must the honey and molasses mixture be cooled?
It must be cooled completely before adding the egg and other ingredients to prevent the egg from cooking prematurely and to ensure the dough forms correctly.
How long should the dough be refrigerated?
The dough should be covered and refrigerated overnight to allow the flavors to develop and the texture to firm up.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C) for baking these cookies.
How thick should I roll the Lebkuchen dough?
The dough should be rolled out to a thickness of 1/4 inch on a floured surface.
What shapes are traditional for Lebkuchen?
Traditional shapes include oblong rectangles (1.5 by 2.5 inches) or circles with a 2-inch diameter.
How are the almonds arranged on the cookies?
Three whole blanched almonds are gently pressed on top of each cookie in a floral arrangement before baking.
How long do the cookies take to bake?
Lebkuchen typically bake for 10 to 12 minutes until they are lightly browned.
How do I know when the cookies are finished baking?
The cookies are done when they are lightly browned and the imprint is resistant to touch.
What ingredients are needed for the glaze?
The glaze is made from sugar, water, and confectioners' sugar.
What is the target temperature for the sugar and water glaze?
The mixture should reach 230°F or until it begins to thread before adding the confectioners' sugar.
When should the glaze be applied?
The glaze should be brushed in a light layer over the cookies while they are still warm.
What should I do if the glaze thickens too much?
If the glaze thickens, you can reheat it gently and add a small amount of water to restore its consistency.
What type of fruit is included in the dough?
Chopped citron is folded into the dough for a traditional citrus note.
Are there nuts inside the cookie dough?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1/3 cup of chopped nuts to be folded into the dough.
What is the calorie count per cookie?
Each cookie contains approximately 61 calories.
How much fat is in one Lebkuchen cookie?
There is approximately 1.1g of fat per cookie.
What is the carbohydrate content?
Each cookie has about 11.9g of carbohydrates.
How much sugar is in each cookie?
One cookie contains approximately 7.2g of sugar.
Do I need to sift the dry ingredients?
Yes, sifting the flour, baking soda, and spices together ensures a smooth dough and even spice distribution.
Should the baking sheet be prepared?
The baking sheet should be lightly greased before arranging the cookies.
How much space should be left between cookies?
Leave about 1 inch of space between each cookie on the baking sheet to allow for spreading.
What is the texture of these cookies?
When baked to perfection, these cookies have a characteristic chewy texture.
Is lemon rind used in this recipe?
Yes, one teaspoon of grated lemon rind is used to provide a bright citrus flavor.
Can I bake the dough immediately after mixing?
It is highly recommended to refrigerate the dough overnight first to allow the complex flavors to develop.
Does this recipe use baking powder?
No, this recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda as the leavening agent.
Is Lebkuchen a good gift idea?
Yes, these traditional cookies are ideal for festive gatherings or as a homemade holiday gift.
What role does lemon juice play in the recipe?
Lemon juice provides acidity that helps balance the sweetness and interacts with the baking soda.