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Lebkuchen
4.3 from 108 votes

Lebkuchen

Lebkuchen are spiced German cookies made with a rich dough containing honey, molasses, and warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. The dough is firm yet pliable after chilling, rolled out and cut into rectangles before baking to a tender, aromatic cookie. A thin glaze of confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, and water adds a sweet, slightly tangy finish after cooling.

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Additional Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 45 mins
Servings: 18 cookies
Calories: 197 kcal
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: German

Ingredients

For the Cookies:
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour plus extra for kneading
  • 1¼ teaspoons ground nutmeg
  • 1¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon cloves ground
  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ cup light brown sugar
  • ½ cup honey
  • ½ cup molasses
For the Glaze:
  • 1 cup confectioners sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons water
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

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  1. 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two baking sheets or line them with parchment paper.
  2. 2. Sift together the flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and allspice. Set aside.
  3. 3. Beat the egg and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl.
  4. 4. Beat in the honey and molasses until thoroughly combined.
  5. 5. On low speed, stir in the flour mixture until just combined.
  6. 6. Turn the dough out from the bowl onto a well-floured surface. Knead the dough, adding more flour as kneaded, until a stiff dough is formed.
  7. 7. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill until firm, about 2 hours or overnight.
  8. 8. On a well-floured surface, roll out the dough into a 9x12-inch rectangle. Cut the dough into 18 3x2-inch rectangles. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
  9. 9. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let cool. Whisk together the confectioner's sugar, water and lemon juice and brush or spread on top of the cookies.
  10. 10. Allow the glaze to firm, and then store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature.

Nutrition Information

Calories 197kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 46g (15%) Protein 2g (4%) Cholesterol 9mg (3%) Sodium 10mg (0%) Potassium 179mg (4%) Sugar 30g (60%) Vitamin A 15IU (0%) Vitamin C 0.3mg (0%) Calcium 33mg (3%) Iron 1.6mg (9%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 18 cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 197

% Daily Value*

Calories 197kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 46g 15%
Protein 2g 4%
Cholesterol 9mg 3%
Sodium 10mg 0%
Potassium 179mg 4%
Sugar 30g 60%
Vitamin A 15IU 0%
Vitamin C 0.3mg 0%
Calcium 33mg 3%
Iron 1.6mg 9%

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