Description
Spiced Lebkuchen cookies originate from Nuremberg’s rich holiday traditions. Warm ginger, cinnamon, and honey create a festive German treat that connects bakers to generations of sweet culinary heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) brown sugar
- ¾ cup (180 ml/6 fl oz) honey
- 1 cup (120 g/4.2 oz) ground hazelnuts
- 1 cup (120 g/4.2 oz) ground almonds
- ½ cup (80 g/2.8 oz) candied orange peel, finely chopped
- ½ cup (80 g/2.8 oz) candied lemon peel, finely chopped
- 2 tsps ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 30–40 Oblaten wafers (70 mm diameter) or baking wafers (optional)
- 1 cup (120 g/4.2 oz) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsps water or lemon juice
- 5 oz (140 g) dark or milk chocolate, melted
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: Whisk eggs and sugars until pale and fluffy, then blend in honey thoroughly. Mix ground hazelnuts, almonds, candied citrus peels, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt to create a sticky, aromatic mixture.
- Chilling Phase: Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 4 hours, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 320F (160C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or traditional Oblaten wafers.
- Shaping and Baking: Carefully drop spoonfuls of dough onto prepared surfaces, spreading to create uniform rounds. Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges turn golden while maintaining a soft center.
- Cooling and Decorating: Let cookies cool completely on the baking sheet. Optional: Create a glaze with powdered sugar or dip in melted chocolate for added elegance.
- Storage: Transfer to an airtight container, recognizing that the flavors will continue to develop and deepen over time, ensuring a delightful treat for weeks to come.
Notes
- Manage Sticky Dough: Use lightly oiled or damp hands when handling the extremely tacky dough to prevent excessive sticking and ensure smoother cookie shaping.
- Spice Intensity Control: Adjust warm spice quantities to personal preference, but maintain the core blend for authentic German Lebkuchen character.
- Chill for Flavor Depth: Never skip the refrigeration period; this crucial step allows spices to meld and develop a rich, complex taste profile.
- Wafer Substitution Strategy: If traditional Oblaten wafers are unavailable, use parchment paper or silicone baking mats as alternative bases for even baking and easy removal.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg