Description
Traditional German Lebkuchen are flavorful spice cookies featuring a warm blend of honey, molasses, and aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. These soft yet slightly chewy treats are enriched with citrus zest and chopped nuts, then finished with a delicate powdered sugar glaze. Perfect for festive occasions or cozy afternoons with tea.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 cup finely chopped nuts (such as almonds or hazelnuts)
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk or lemon juice
Instructions
- Warm Honey and Molasses: In a medium saucepan, gently heat the honey and molasses over low heat until warm. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the brown sugar, egg, lemon zest, and orange zest until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground allspice, ground nutmeg, and ground ginger until evenly combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the warm wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix. Fold in the finely chopped nuts to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. This resting period helps the flavors meld and firms up the dough for easier handling.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Shape the Cookies: Remove dough from the refrigerator and roll into small balls approximately one inch in diameter. Arrange the balls spaced about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare and Apply Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar with 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk or lemon juice until smooth and glossy. Once the cookies have cooled, drizzle or brush the glaze evenly over the tops. Allow the glaze to set before serving or storing.
Notes
- Refrigerating the dough overnight enhances the flavor and texture significantly.
- Use freshly grated lemon and orange zest for the best citrus flavor.
- For a nut-free version, omit the chopped nuts or substitute with seeds.
- The glaze can be thickened or thinned by adjusting the amount of liquid to your desired consistency.
- Store finished cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or freeze for longer storage.
