Magenbrot (German Gingerbread Bites)
User Reviews
5
Magenbrot (German Gingerbread Bites)
Description
Magenbrot combines honey, sugar, water, and lemon zest heated together to dissolve the sugar, creating a syrup base. This is mixed into a dry blend of flours, hazelnut meal, cocoa powder, baking agents, and a traditional gingerbread spice mix called Lebkuchengewürz. Candied orange peel adds a citrus note and texture. The mixture is combined with milk until a stiff dough forms, which is then covered and rested at room temperature overnight or up to 24 hours to deepen the flavors.
The dough is shaped into logs about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter and baked until set but not fully firm. While still warm, the logs are sliced diagonally into pieces and allowed to air dry overnight, which further firms their texture and enhances the gingerbread’s characteristic chewiness. This technique yields small, spiced bites with a lightly crisp exterior and a soft yet dense interior colored by cocoa and spices.
Magenbrot can be served as a snack or dessert, especially popular during holiday seasons. The resting and drying steps are essential for developing depth of flavor and the proper texture that’s traditional for these cookies.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- lemon zest of one
- 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/2 cup hazelnut meal or almond meal
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons Lebkuchengewürz homemade highly recommended for best flavor, click link for recipe, homemade
- Lebkuchengewürz store-bought
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoon candied orange peel strongly recommend homemade for the BEST flavor, click link for recipe, finely minced
- candied orange peel store-bought
- 1/2 cup milk (**start with less and add more as needed. If dough is too dry add a little extra.)
- FOR THE GLAZE:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract quality pure
Instructions
- Place honey, sugar, water, and lemon zest in a small saucepan and simmer until the sugar is dissolved.
- Combine the flours, nut meal, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, Lebkuchengewürz, cinnamon and salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir in the candied orange peel. Stir the warm honey syrup and the milk into the flour and stir to combine until a stiff dough forms. Start will less milk and add more as needed if the dough is too dry. Cover and let sit overnight at room temperature or up to 24 hours to allow the flavors time to mature.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F (175 C).Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces and roll each piece into logs about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place the logs about 3 inches apart on a lined baking sheet. Gently press to slightly flatten the logs. Bake for 15 minutes. Let cool a few minutes and then, while the gingerbread is still warm, slice each log at a diagonal into 1 to 1 1/2 inch wide pieces. Let the Magenbrot air dry at room temperature overnight or up to 24 hours.
- To Make the Glaze:Place the sugar and water in a small saucepan and, using a candy thermometer, simmer until the mixture reaches 234 F (113 C). If you don't get it fully up to this temperature the glaze will not set and will be wet and sticky. If the temperature far exceeds 234 F the glaze will be dry and crumbly. Get it as close to 234 F as possible (a little over is better than a little under). Once the mixture reaches 234 F remove it from the heat and whisk in the cocoa powder and vanilla extract.
- Place the Magenbrot in a large mixing bowl and immediately pour over the hot glaze, stirring to evenly coat the Magenbrot. Place the wet Magenbrot on a lined baking sheet in a single layer so they are not touching each other and let them dry completely. Once completely dry, store the Magenbrot in an airtight container where it will keep for 2-3 weeks. Makes about 60 pieces depending on the width.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 60pieces
Amount Per Serving
Calories 77 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cookie | |
| Calories | 77kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 1mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 40mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 37mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 11g | 22% |
| Vitamin A | 4IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 13mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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