Best 2 German Honey Bars Recipes
**German Honey Bars: A Sweet Treat Steeped in History and Simplicity**
Indulge in the delectable world of German honey bars, a timeless pastry that has captivated taste buds for generations. These irresistible treats, also known as honigkuchen or lebkuchen, are not just a dessert but a testament to Germany's rich culinary heritage. With their inviting golden-brown crust, chewy texture, and symphony of warm spices, these bars are a delightful symphony of flavors. This article presents a curated collection of German honey bar recipes, each with its unique twist on this classic confection. From the traditional honey bars, bursting with the natural sweetness of honey, to variations infused with nuts, chocolate, and dried fruits, these recipes offer a delightful journey through the diverse world of German honey bars.
**Traditional German Honey Bars:**
This classic recipe stays true to the original honey bar experience. With a blend of flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and spices, these bars embody the essence of simplicity. The honey adds a luscious golden hue and a subtly sweet flavor that complements the warm spices. Enjoy them plain or adorned with a dusting of powdered sugar.
**Chocolate Honey Bars:**
For those who crave a richer, more decadent treat, the chocolate honey bar variation is a must-try. This recipe incorporates cocoa powder into the batter, resulting in a rich chocolate flavor that harmonizes perfectly with the honey's sweetness. The result is a bar that tantalizes the senses with its delightful interplay of flavors.
**Nutty Honey Bars:**
Introducing a symphony of textures and flavors, the nutty honey bars are an irresistible delight. This recipe adds a generous helping of chopped walnuts or almonds to the batter, creating a satisfying crunch in every bite. The nuts add a nutty aroma and a subtle earthiness that beautifully complements the honey's sweetness.
**Dried Fruit Honey Bars:**
For those who love the natural sweetness of fruits, the dried fruit honey bars are a vibrant and flavorful treat. This recipe incorporates a medley of dried fruits, such as raisins, cranberries, and cherries, into the batter. The fruits impart a burst of sweetness and a chewy texture that elevates the overall experience.
**Spiced Honey Bars:**
For those seeking a more aromatic and flavorful honey bar, the spiced honey bars offer a captivating experience. This recipe elevates the classic honey bar with a blend of warm spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The spices add a comforting warmth and a depth of flavor that makes these bars perfect for cozy gatherings.
Embark on a culinary journey through the world of German honey bars with this curated collection of recipes. Each variation offers a unique flavor profile, from the classic simplicity of the traditional honey bars to the decadent richness of the chocolate and nutty variations. Whether you prefer the fruity sweetness of the dried fruit honey bars or the aromatic warmth of the spiced honey bars, these recipes will satisfy your sweet cravings and leave you longing for more.
LEBKUCHEN (GERMAN HONEY BARS)
Lebkuchen recipes are many and diverse-some are flourless, made with almond and hazelnut meal; some are made in bar form and others in cookie form; some are glazed with chocolate and others with a thin lemon glaze. We like to age the dough for up to two months before baking to allow the flavors to develop (the sugar and honey keep the egg from spoiling). After baking, these resilient cookies can be stored in an airtight container for at least a month more.
Provided by Megan Scott
Categories Cookies Christmas cookbooks Dessert Fall Winter Honey Almond Lemon Lemon Juice Cinnamon Clove Cardamom Anise Nutmeg Spice
Yield Makes 36 (2 1/4 x 1 1/2-inch) bars
Number Of Ingredients 27
Steps:
- Honey bars:
- Heat honey and water in a large heavy saucepan until runny. Remove from heat, and stir in butter until melted. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and stir in brown sugar, eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
- Add the flour mixture to the honey mixture and stir just until combined. Add almonds, citron, and candied orange peel. Stir until the dough is smooth. Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 24 hours or up to 1 month.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper so it extends over the 2 long sides.
- Firmly press the dough into the prepared pan to form a smooth, even layer. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean, about 30 minutes.
- Citrus glaze and decoration:
- In a medium bowl, beat together powdered sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth. While the lebkuchen is still warm, spread glaze evenly over the top.
- Mark into bars by cutting into the lebkuchen about ¼ inch deep with a knife. Decorate, if desired, by placing 1 candied cherry in the center of each bar. And arrange 4 blanched almonds around each cherry.
- Let stand in the pan on a rack until completely cool and the icing is set. Using the overhanging parchment as handles, transfer to a cutting board. Cut into bars. If possible, let the cookies age for at least 2 weeks to allow the spices to ripen. Lebkuchen will keep for months in an airtight container.
GERMAN HONEY BARS
We get German Honey Bars at a local bakery here in Indy. They are my husbands favorite cookie. I have looked high and low for the recipe with no results. My husband found this recipe in a cookbook he was looking through at Cracker Barrel Country Store, so he bought it. I made them for him because he washed all the windows on the...
Provided by Julia Ferguson
Categories Cookies
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. *Grease 15X10X1 inch jelly-roll pan. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cardamom and ginger in medium sized bowl. Combine honey and molasses in medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat. Add butter; stir until melted. Cool 10 minutes. Stir in brown sugar and egg. *See note below.
- 2. Place brown sugar mixture in large bowl. Gradually add flour mixture., beating with electric mixer at low speed until dough forms. Stir in almonds if using. (*Dough will be slightly sticky) Spread dough evenly in prepared pan. Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until golden brown and set. Remove pan to wire rack
- 3. Prepare Lemon Glaze. Spread over cooled bars. Let stand until set, about 30 minutes. Cut into 2X1 inch bars.
- 4. Lemon Glaze: 1 1/4 c. powdered sugar, 1 tsp. freshly grated lemon peel and 3 Tbsp. lemon juice in medium bowl until well blended.
- 5. *Notes: After 10 minutes the honey molasses mixture was still very warm and I didn't want to add the egg and have it turn out scrambled, so I set the bowl on a few ice cubes wrapped in a paper towel for a couple of minutes. The dough being slightly sticky is an understatement. It is very sticky and I had a hard time rolling it out. Finally placed a piece of waxed paper over the dough and rolled with rolling pin. It was a little better but dough still stuck to the waxed paper. I also lined my pan with parchment paper, rather than greasing the pan. I did not add the almonds, because the honey bars we get at the bakery do not have almonds in them. These honey bars are bolder in taste with the spices and much darker in color than the ones we get at the bakery. I think with a little tweaking with spices and playing with a different kind of molasses I can get a little closer to the bakery version.
Tips:
- To make sure your honey bars are perfectly golden brown, keep a close eye on them while they're baking. Use a toothpick to check the center of a bar; when it comes out clean, the bars are done.
- If you don't have a 9x13 inch baking pan, you can use a larger pan, such as a 10x15 inch pan. Just be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly. For a 10x15 inch pan, bake the bars for 20-25 minutes.
- For a chewier honey bar, use less flour. For a crispier honey bar, use more flour.
- Feel free to get creative with your honey bar toppings. Some popular options include chopped nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate chips.
- Honey bars are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, but they can also be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
German honey bars are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that are perfect for any occasion. With their sweet and chewy texture and their golden brown crust, these bars are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're looking for a simple but delicious dessert, give German honey bars a try.
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