Monika's Oma's Lebkuchen Men

Cinnamon, cloves, and honey flavor these classic German gingerbread (lebkuchen) men that you can hang as Christmas decorations or nibble on!

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 160 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 cups ground almonds
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons boiling water, or as needed
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.5 cup white sugar
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cloves
• 0.25 cup honey
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 6.5 tablespoons butter
• 1.5 cups confectioners' sugar

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two baking sheets.

Step 2

Mix ground almonds, flour, white sugar, 2 teaspoons cocoa powder, cinnamon, cloves, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Use your fingers or a pastry blender to rub in the butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Add honey and egg; mix together to form a dough.

Step 3

Dust work surface with flour. Roll out dough into a circle about 1/8-inch thick. Cut into gingerbread men shapes with a floured cookie cutter. Place 2 inches apart on baking sheets.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until edges are brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool in the pan 1 to 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, about 20 minutes.

Step 5

Combine confectioners' sugar and 2 tablespoons cocoa powder in a bowl. Mix in enough boiling water to make a smooth and spreadable icing. Spread icing on cooled cookies using a table knife. Set aside until icing hardens, about 2 hours.