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Lebkuchen Recipe

Irresistible Lebkuchen Recipe: Soft German Spice Cookies

This Lebkuchen recipe yields soft and spiced German Christmas cookies filled with honey, molasses, and warm spices, perfect for festive gatherings.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 32 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: German
Calories: 150

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour Sift before measuring for lightness.
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda Ensure it is fresh.
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg Freshly grated can enhance flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Use Ceylon cinnamon for best results.
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves Not interchangeable; allspice can substitute.
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice Blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves can be used.
  • 1 large egg Bring to room temperature.
  • 1 cup light brown sugar Can substitute with dark brown sugar.
  • 1/2 cup honey Adds moisture and sweetness.
  • 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses Crucial for richness.
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds Optional; mix with walnuts if desired.
  • 1 cup chopped mixed candied fruits and peels Optional; can substitute dried fruits.
For the Glaze
  • 1 large egg white Consider powdered egg whites for stability.
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice Lime juice can be a substitute.
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest Enhances flavor; omit to simplify.
  • 1 pinch salt Enhances sweetness.
  • 2 cups powdered sugar No substitutes recommended.

Equipment

  • mixing bowl
  • hand mixer
  • Cookie Cutters
  • baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire Rack
  • Pastry brush

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground allspice.
  2. In another bowl, beat one large egg and light brown sugar together until fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Mix in honey and unsulphured molasses until smooth.
  3. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently with a spatula until just combined.
  4. Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  5. Once chilled, roll the dough to about ¼ inch thick and cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
  6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and bake the cookies for approximately 12 minutes.
  7. While the cookies are cooling, prepare the glaze by whipping together egg white, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar until smooth.
  8. Once the cookies have cooled, brush the glaze over each cookie using a pastry brush.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 80mgPotassium: 50mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 50IUCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

Allow Lebkuchen to sit for a day or two after baking to deepen flavors. Always use fresh ingredients for the best results.

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