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German Lebkuchen Hearts

Easy German gingerbread hearts that can be coated with dark chocolate or a simple icing sugar glaze.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Chill time:
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 15 cookies
Calories: 333 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: German

Ingredients

Cookies
  • 150 g soft brown sugar (¾ cup)
  • 3 Tablespoons softened butter
  • 150 g runny honey (7+½ tablespoons)
  • 1 Medium egg
  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 200 g plain flour (1+¾ cups)
  • 120 g ground almonds (1 cup)
  • 1 Teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 2 Teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ Teaspoon ground allspice
  • ¼ Teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ Teaspoon ground cloves
  • Pinch salt
  • 2 Tablespoons candied mixed peel (can be subbed for lemon or orange zest)
Coating
  • 400 g dark chocolate (14oz) note 1

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large bowl, mix the sugar, butter and honey together until smooth. Then stir in the egg and vanilla extract.
  2. Add the rest of the cookie ingredients except the mixed peel. Mix well then use your hands to press everything into a very sticky ball of dough.
  3. Gently knead the mixed peel through the dough until evenly distributed.
  4. Cover the ball of dough and place it in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  5. In the meantime, preheat your oven to 180℃/350℉ (or 160℃/325℉ for fan and convection ovens) and line a large tray or two with baking paper.
  6. Remove the dough from the fridge. Take 2-3 tablespoons of dough at a time and roll it out on a floured surface to ½-inch thick. (note 2)
  7. Dip a 2.5-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter into flour, cut out your cookie then place it onto your lined tray. Repeat with the rest of the dough. (note 3)
  8. Bake your cookies for 12-15 minutes, until you can gently press the tops without leaving an imprint. Let them cool completely on the tray.
  9. Once your Lebkuchen cookies have cooled, melt the dark chocolate and dip them in, one at a time. Place them back onto your lined tray to set before enjoying.

Notes

  • If you prefer an icing sugar glaze, mix 180g of icing sugar with 2 tablespoons of lemon or orange juice and 1 tablespoon of cold water.
  • Do not roll the entire batch of dough out at once as it's far too sticky and will not work. Also, try to avoid adding too much extra flour to the dough itself as this will spoil the Lebkuchen's soft texture.
  • A 2.5-inch cutter will make quite large Lebkuchen. If you prefer bite-sized ones, use a 1.5-inch cutter instead. Test for doneness after 8 minutes in the oven.
  • Store your gingerbread hearts in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cookie Calories 333kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 45g (15%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Monounsaturated Fat 1g Cholesterol 19mg (6%) Sodium 59mg (2%) Potassium 20mg (1%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 32g (64%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 15cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 333

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cookie
Calories 333kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 45g 15%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 19mg 6%
Sodium 59mg 2%
Potassium 20mg 0%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 32g 64%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.