Best German Lebkuchen

These classic German lebkuchen cookies are rich with honey, molasses, and warm spices—perfect for Christmas or holiday gifting.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 61 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 0.5 cup honey
• 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.75 cup packed brown sugar
• 0.5 cup water
• 0.5 cup molasses
• 0.33300000429153 cup chopped hazelnuts
• 2.75 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.33300000429153 cup diced candied citron
• 0.25 cup confectioners' sugar

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Stir honey and molasses together in a medium saucepan over medium heat until combined and beginning to boil, about 2 minutes. Remove Stir in brown sugar, egg, lemon juice, and lemon zest until well blended. and stir in the brown sugar, egg, lemon juice and lemon zest. Whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg together in a large bowl until evenly combined. Add molasses mixture to dry ingredients and stir until dough forms. Mix in citron and hazelnuts. Cover dough and refrigerate until firm, at least 8 hours to overnight.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease baking sheets or line with parchment paper. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into small rectangles and place 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven, until no imprint remains when touched lightly, about 10 to 12 minutes. Brush hot cookies with icing and transfer immediately to wire racks to cool completely. Store in an airtight container with a piece of apple or orange for 2 to 3 days to soften and develop flavor.

Step 4

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 grainy, reheat gently with a little water until crystals dissolve.