Description
Lebkuchen are traditional German spice cookies packed with honey, nuts, citrus zest, and warm holiday spices. Soft, chewy, and often glazed or chocolate-dipped, they’re a must-make for your Christmas cookie platter.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup ground almonds or hazelnuts
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: icing sugar glaze or melted chocolate for topping
Instructions
- Prepare Dough: In a bowl, whisk together honey and brown sugar until smooth. Mix in the egg, lemon zest, orange zest, and lemon juice.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine flour, ground nuts, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt.
- Combine: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a sticky dough forms. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for deeper flavor).
- Shape & Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough into small balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 12–15 minutes until lightly golden and puffed.
- Cool & Glaze: Let cookies cool on a wire rack, then glaze with powdered sugar icing or dip tops in melted chocolate.
Notes
Lebkuchen improve in flavor over time—store in an airtight container for a few days before serving. You can also press the dough into rounds and top with a thin wafer (oblaten) for traditional style.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: lebkuchen, german spice cookies, holiday cookies, christmas baking, gingerbread