How to Make Lebkuchen

Similar to gingerbread, Lebkuchen is a traditional German cookie commonly served around the Christmas holiday. Combining sweet flavors like molasses and honey with the tart flavors of lemon, Lebkuchen has become a holiday favorite. To learn more about this recipe, read on to find out how to make Lebkuchen.

While the basic Lebkuchen recipe contains molasses, honey and citrus flavorings, the recipe can be varied to make cookies or bars. In either variety, you will need to gather your ingredients, prepare the dough, refrigerate, then bake.

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. lemon zest
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. cloves
• 1 tsp. allspice
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 cup candied mixed fruit
• 1/2 cup hazelnuts, chopped

1. Mix the honey and molasses in a medium saucepan until the mixture comes to a boil.
2. Remove from heat and stir in the brown sugar, egg, lemon zest and lemon juice.
3. Mix the flour, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg and baking powder in a large mixing bowl.
4. Stir the honey and brown sugar mixture into the flour mixture.
5. Fold in the candied fruit and the hazelnuts.
6. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
7. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
8. Lightly grease two cookie sheets.
9. Roll out one half of the dough on a lightly floured surface until it reaches 1/4-inch thick.
10. Cut the dough into rectangles or use round cookie cutters and place on the prepared cookie sheets.
11. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
12. Remove from oven and allow to cool for one to two minutes.
13. Remove from cookie sheets and allow to cool completely on wire racks.

• Rather than rolling out into squares, spread the dough into a 10x15-inch glass baking pan and bake for 20 minutes at 325 degrees F. Cut into bars.
• Top each cookie or bar with an icing made from powdered sugar mixed with egg, water or lemon juice.
• In place of icing, dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar.
• Substitute the hazelnuts with chopped almonds or walnuts.