Best 3 Holiday Lebkuchen German Spice Cookies Recipes

Lebkuchen are classic German spice cookies traditionally enjoyed during the Christmas season. These delightful treats are characterized by their unique blend of aromatic spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and cardamom, which give them a warm and festive flavor. Lebkuchen can vary in texture, with some being soft and chewy, while others are crispy and crunchy. They are often decorated with intricate designs, such as stars, hearts, or Christmas trees, and sometimes glazed with a sugar or chocolate coating.

This article presents a collection of Lebkuchen recipes that cater to different tastes and preferences. From the classic soft and chewy Lebkuchen to crispy and flavorful Lebkuchen cookies, there's a recipe here for everyone. Some recipes incorporate unique ingredients, such as nuts, dried fruits, or chocolate chips, adding extra layers of texture and flavor. Additionally, there are recipes for Lebkuchen hearts, a popular variation often decorated with colorful icing or sprinkles. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a beginner, these recipes provide step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure successful and delicious Lebkuchen.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

GERMAN LEBKUCHEN

German Lebkuchen image

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

Ingredients

1 egg
¾ cup brown sugar
½ cup honey
½ cup dark molasses
3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 ¼ teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 ¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground allspice
½ cup slivered almonds
½ cup candied mixed fruit peel, finely chopped
1 egg white, beaten
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon lemon zest
1 ½ cups sifted confectioners' sugar

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

HOLIDAY LEBKUCHEN (GERMAN SPICE COOKIES)

Holiday Lebkuchen (German Spice Cookies) image

Since my mother's parents came from Nuremberg and Munich, Germany, lebkuchen has been a holiday tradition in my family ever since I was little. We don't like the usual candied citrus peel, however, so I use apricots and dates instead. Great served with hot tea.

Provided by Shae's Mama

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European German

Time 8h55m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 22

Ingredients

2 cups whole almonds
boiling water to cover
⅔ cup chopped dried apricots
8 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
4 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup honey
¼ cup blackstrap molasses
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons almond extract
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
¾ cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons whole milk
1 teaspoon lemon zest

Steps:

Cover almonds with boiling water in a bowl. Let stand for 1 to 2 minutes and drain. Rinse with cold water and drain again. Pat almonds dry and remove skin. Allow almonds to dry on paper towels.
Place half the almonds in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Add apricots and dates; pulse until fruit is chopped. Reserve remaining 1 cup almonds.
Combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, cloves, cardamom, and salt in bowl. Beat eggs, brown sugar, honey, molasses, water, almond extract, orange zest, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add apricot mixture, blending until evenly distributed. Gradually stir in flour mixture on medium speed until dough comes together. Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours to overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to about 1/2-inch thick. Cut out cookies with a 2 1/2 to 3-inch diameter cookie cutter. Arrange cookies about 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Lightly press 3 almonds into each cookie with tips towards the center to create a star pattern.
Bake in preheated oven until cookies begin to brown, about 12 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool on a wire rack.
Meanwhile, whisk confectioners' sugar, milk, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest in a bowl until glaze is smooth. Brush warm cookies with glaze and allow cookies to cool completely.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 187.7 calories, Carbohydrate 34.7 g, Cholesterol 10.3 mg, Fat 4.5 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 3.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 60.7 mg, Sugar 20.2 g

MOIST AND CHEWY LEBKUCHEN (GERMAN SPICED CHRISTMAS COOKIES) RECIPE

Moist and Chewy Lebkuchen (German Spiced Christmas Cookies) Recipe image

These classic German Christmas cookies are rich with warm spices, toasted nuts, and candied fruit, with a cakey, chewy texture and a sweet, crackly glaze.

Provided by Grace Parisi

Categories Dessert Cookies

Yield 48

Number Of Ingredients 26

Ingredients

For the Dough:
1/2 cup hazelnuts (2 ounces; 57g)
1/2 cup almond meal (2 ounces; 57g)
2 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour (12 ounces; 320g)
2 tablespoons (14.8g) unsweetened cocoa (preferably dark)
1 1/2 teaspoons (7.5g) baking powder
1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) baking soda
2 teaspoons (4.2g) ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (2.1g) ground powdered ginger
1/2 teaspoon (1g) ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (1g) ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon (1g) ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon (0.5g) ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon (2.8g) kosher salt
1/2 cup tightly packed chopped candied orange rind (4 ounces; 113g)
1/4 cup tightly packed chopped crystallized ginger (2 ounces; 57g)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick; 57g)
3/4 cup dark brown sugar (5.3 ounces; 150g)
1 cup honey (12 ounces; 340g)
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon (15mL) pure vanilla extract
Nonstick spray, for greasing
For the Glaze:
3 cups confectioners' sugar (13 ounces; 375g)
1 tablespoon (15mL) kirsch, Grand Marnier, or rum (or pure vanilla extract)
3 to 4 tablespoons warm water (1.5 to 2 ounces; 45 to 60mL)

Steps:

If Making Individual Round Cookies: Chill dough until quite firm, about 4 hours. Working in 2 batches, line 2 large cookie sheets with parchment. Dip a 1 3/4-inch ice cream scoop (2 level tablespoons) into water, shake off excess water, and scoop level scoops of dough. Roll into balls and place 2 inches apart. Bake in the lower and middle thirds of the oven, shifting pans from top to bottom and front to back halfway through, until a toothpick inserted in center of cookies comes out clean, about 18 minutes. Slide parchment onto a wire rack to let cookies cool slightly while you bake the remaining cookies.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 131 kcal, Carbohydrate 26 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 46 mg, Sugar 20 g, Fat 3 g, ServingSize 48 (3-inch) cookies or 48 bars, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

Tips:

Choose the right spices. The traditional Lebkuchen spice mix includes cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. You can adjust the proportions of each spice to suit your taste. For a more pronounced flavor, use freshly ground spices.

Don't overmix the dough. Overmixing will make the cookies tough. Mix the dough just until it comes together, then refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before rolling and baking.

Roll the dough out evenly. The cookies should be about 1/4-inch thick. If the dough is too thick, the cookies will be dense and chewy. If the dough is too thin, the cookies will be crispy and crumbly.

Bake the cookies until they are just set. The cookies should be firm to the touch, but still slightly soft in the center. If the cookies are overbaked, they will be dry and crumbly.

Let the cookies cool completely before decorating. This will help to prevent the icing from running.

Conclusion:

Lebkuchen are a delicious and festive holiday cookie that are enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little planning and effort, you can make your own Lebkuchen at home. Just follow the tips above and you'll be sure to have success. So, put on your apron, gather your ingredients, and let's get baking!