Lebkuchen IV

A traditional German Christmas cookie loaded with lots of citrus flavor and spices. The longer the cookies sit, the better they taste.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 64 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 1 cup white sugar
• ¼ cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¾ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup molasses
• ½ cup water
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ cup honey
• ½ cup chopped candied citron

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.

Step 2

In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together honey and molasses. Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Stir in the brown sugar, egg, lemon juice and lemon zest until well blended. Set aside. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and allspice. Stir the ingredients from the pan into the bowl and blend well. Mix in the walnuts and candied citron. Cover the dough and chill for several hours or overnight.

Step 3

Using a small amount of dough at a time, roll out to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut into small rectangles. Place the rectangles 1 inch apart onto the prepared baking sheets.

Step 4

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until firm. Brush with glaze while hot from the oven. To make the glaze: Combine the 1 cup of sugar with water in a small saucepan over medium heat. 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 confectioners' sugar until smooth. Brush over hot cookies.