How to make Lebkuchen cookies. Traditional German gingerbread cookies recipe from my grandmother who made them every year.
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Cook Time12 minutesmins
Total Time32 minutesmins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: german
Keyword: cookies, german, lebkuchen, spice
Servings: 24
Author: Justine
Equipment
1 baking sheet with parchment paper on top or sprayed well with non stick spray
1 cooling rack sprayed with non stick spray
2 bowls
Ingredients
2 3/4all purpose flour
1/2tspbaking soda
1/4tspclovesground
1/2tspnutmegground
1tspcinnamon
1/2tspallspice
3/4cbrown sugar
1egg
1tsplemon juice
1choney
Lebkuchen Glaze
1csugar
1/2cpowdered sugar
water
Instructions
Combine dry ingredients in one bowl and mix well. Add egg, mix, add lemon juice and mix, then fold in honey until you get a sticky dough. It will be REALLY sticky and thick!
** If you want the traditional look you can use a piece of parchment paper and create a long roll of dough, roll it up, twist the ends to seal and put it in the fridge for a few hours, then slice the dough to create flat traditional shapes.
Line baking sheet with parchment, a silpat mat or spray with non stick spray. Spoon or place slices on top with space in between them. Ensure all are the same size so they bake at the same rate.
Bake at 400 degrees for about 12 minutes or until the outer edges are firmer but the very middle is still a bit undercooked but not wet. This will create a really chewy german spice cookie.
Take out of oven, put pan on cooling rack, leave on sheet pan while you make the glaze so they can stiffen up.
If you want a glaze on your lebkuchen, heat on the stovetop sugar, powdered sugar and enough water to make the consistency you want. Thin is okay, it will still create a sweet glaze on top.
Put cookies on parchment paper or a cooling rack (that has been sprayed with non stick spray) with paper underneath and spoon glaze on so it won't stick to plate. Spoon on top to coat and allow to harden.
Video
Notes
Tips for baking lebkuchen cookies
I say over and over again to have parchment paper underneath dough and/or cookies this is because it is very sticky dough and you need to prevent them from sticking.
It is helpful to spray the inside of your measuring cup when measuring out the honey so you get all of it out. You can even spray your bowl a bit so it doesn't stick to that and you lose some of it in the process of mixing.
You can even spray your hands with non stick spray for an easier cleanup for yourself.
Do not store in the fridge. When keeping leftovers store in a freezer bag with the air sucked out on the counter.