**Lebkuchen: A Sweet Treat Steeped in History and Tradition**
Lebkuchen, also known as German gingerbread, is a delectable treat that has captivated taste buds for centuries. Its history can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where it was enjoyed during festive occasions and as a symbol of good fortune. Today, Lebkuchen remains a popular confectionery delight, appreciated for its warm, spicy flavor and distinctive chewy texture. This article presents a curated collection of Lebkuchen recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic delicacy. From traditional recipes passed down through generations to innovative variations that incorporate modern culinary influences, these recipes cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, you're sure to find the perfect Lebkuchen recipe to satisfy your sweet cravings. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a delightful journey into the world of Lebkuchen.
AUTHENTIC GERMAN LEBKUCHEN (NüRNBERGER ELISENLEBKUCHEN)
One of Germany's most popular and beloved Christmas confections, get ready to fall in love with these delicious and traditional German Lebkuchen!
Provided by Kimberly Killebrew
Categories Dessert
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 25
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
- Toss the candied lemon and orange peel with about 1/4 cup all-purpose flour to keep it from sticking together and then pulse in a food processor until finely minced. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs until foamy. Add the sugar, honey and vanilla extract and beat until combined.
- Add the ground almonds and hazelnuts, salt, baking powder, Lebkuchengewürz, and candied lemon and orange peels and stir vigorously until thoroughly combined. (You can use a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat for about 2 minutes). The mixture will be wet but if it is too thin to scoop onto the oblaten add some more almond or hazelnut meal.
- Scoop the mixture onto the Backoblaten, smoothing down the top and leaving just a slight space around the edges. Set them on a lined cookie sheet.
- Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 25-30 minutes. Remove the cookie sheet and allow to cool completely.
- Once cooled, place a wire rack over a cookie sheet (to catch the drippings). Dip half the Lebkuchen in the chocolate glaze and half in the sugar glaze, letting the excess drip back into the bowl and then place the Lebkuchen on the wire rack. Arrange 3 almonds on each Lebkuchen while the glaze is still wet. Let the Lebkuchen dry completely until the glaze is hardened.
- Keep stored in an airtight container. Will keep for several weeks and the flavor improves with time.
- Makes about 35 if using 70mm Backoblaten and about 25 if using 90mm Backoblaten.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 elisenlebkuchen, Calories 175 kcal, Carbohydrate 22 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 23 mg, Sodium 34 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 19 g
BRAUNE LEBKUCHEN
A traditional Christmas cookie, but wonderful any time of year. Chilling time not included in preparation time. From the Pennsylvania Dutch chapter of the United States Regional Cookbook, Culinary Arts Institute of Chicago, 1947.
Provided by Molly53
Categories Dessert
Time 30m
Yield 48 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Boil honey, sugar and butter together for five minutes; cool.
- Beat egg and add to water.
- Sift dry ingredients together.
- Add sifted dry ingredients to honey mixture alternatively with egg/water mixture.
- Add nuts and citron last.
- Cover and chill at least overnight.
- If the dough is allowed to ripen in the refrigerator for several days before rolling out, the flavor and texture of the cookies are improved.
- Roll out to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut with fancy cookie cutters.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Bake for 15 or 20 minutes, depending on your oven (taking care not to scorch).
- Ice with colored icing or a sugar glaze.
- To make glaze, mix powdered sugar and water together to make it the consistency of thin cream.
EASY GERMAN LEBKUCHEN
Make and share this Easy German Lebkuchen recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Az B8990
Categories Bar Cookie
Time 1h10m
Yield 32 pieces, 32 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- •Preheat oven to 350°F.
- •Grease a 15 X 10 X 1-inch baking sheet.
- •In large mixer bowl, beat egg and oil. Add brown sugar and beat well.
- •Add honey and molasses. Mix well.
- •Mix together flour, pumpkin pie spice, and baking soda. Add to egg mixture and beat till well mixed.
- •Stir in almonds and candied fruit and peel. Dough will be very thick.
- •Spread in baking pan. Use back of spoon to spread, dipping spoon in water so that dough doesn't stick to spoon.
- •Bake for 15 - 23 minutes or until done.
- •with a sharp knife, score into bars immediately upon removing from oven by just cutting through the top crust.
- •With mixer, in small bowl, beat egg white, powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth.
- •Spread icing over warm bars. Decorate with candied fruit. Cool completely.
- •Cut through completely at the score marks to cut into individual bars.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 108.1, Fat 2.2, SaturatedFat 0.3, Cholesterol 6.6, Sodium 34, Carbohydrate 21, Fiber 0.5, Sugar 13.8, Protein 1.6
LEBKUCHEN
The German town of Nuremberg has been famous for its lebkuchen since the late 1300s. The soft, cakey cookies are traditionally made with several spices, candied citrus peel, hazelnuts, and almonds.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Dessert & Treats Recipes Cookie Recipes
Yield Makes 17
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Pulse almonds and hazelnuts in a food processor until very finely chopped. Add candied peels and dates, and pulse until finely chopped. Add almond paste, and pulse to combine. Add jam, and pulse. Add eggs and brown sugar, and pulse. Add flour mixture, and pulse. Transfer dough to an airtight container, and refrigerate overnight (or up to 3 days).
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Using a 2-inch ice cream scoop (1/4 cup), drop dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing cookies 3 inches apart. Place 3 almonds close together on top of each cookie. Bake until golden brown, about 14 minutes. Let cool completely on sheets on wire racks.
- Whisk together confectioners' sugar and milk, and brush over cooled cookies. Let stand until set.
GERMAN LEBKUCHEN
A German honey Christmas cookie made with molasses.
Provided by HILARY2000
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European German
Time 8h20m
Yield 36
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a large bowl, beat the egg, brown sugar and honey until smooth. Stir in the molasses. Combine the flour, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and allspice; stir into the molasses mixture. Stir in the almonds and candied fruit peel. Cover or wrap dough, and chill overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch in thickness. Cut into 2x3 inch rectangles. Place cookies 1 1/2 inches apart onto cookie sheets.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until firm. While still warm, brush the cookies with the lemon glaze.
- To make the glaze: In a small bowl, stir together the egg white, lemon juice and lemon zest. Mix in the confectioners' sugar until smooth. Brush over cookies.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 119.9 calories, Carbohydrate 26.6 g, Cholesterol 5.2 mg, Fat 1.1 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 1.7 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Sodium 24.1 mg, Sugar 14.6 g
LEBKUCHEN VI
I brought this recipe over from Germany almost 20 years ago. It has molasses, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, honey and brown sugar in it. This is one of my favorite memories of Germany at Christmastime.
Provided by Debi
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European German
Time 10h
Yield 72
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, stir together the honey and molasses. Bring the mixture to a boil, remove from heat and stir in the brown sugar, egg, lemon juice and lemon zest. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, allspice and nutmeg. Add the molasses mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in the citron and hazelnuts. Cover dough and chill overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. Using a small amount of dough at a time, roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into small rectangles and place them 1 inch apart onto the prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until no imprint remains when touched lightly. Brush the icing over the cookies while they are still hot and quickly remove them to wire cooling racks. Store in airtight container with a cup of orange or apple for a few days to mellow.
- To make the icing: Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat to between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface. Remove from heat and stir in the confectioners' sugar. If icing becomes sugary while brushing cookies, re-heat slightly- adding a little water until crystals dissolve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 60.6 calories, Carbohydrate 13.8 g, Cholesterol 2.6 mg, Fat 0.5 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 0.7 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Sodium 14.7 mg, Sugar 8.7 g
Tips:
- Ensure that all ingredients are at room temperature before you begin baking. This will help the ingredients blend together more easily and evenly.
- Do not overmix the batter. Overmixing can make the lebkuchen tough.
- If the batter is too thick, add a little bit of milk. If the batter is too thin, add a little bit of flour.
- Bake the lebkuchen until it is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the lebkuchen cool completely before frosting.
- Store the lebkuchen in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Conclusion:
Braune Lebkuchen are a delicious and festive treat that is perfect for the holiday season. With their rich flavor and chewy texture, these cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. Whether you are looking for a traditional German recipe or a more modern twist, there is a braune lebkuchen recipe out there for you. So get baking and enjoy these delicious cookies!
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