Best 4 Authentic German Lebkuchen Recipes

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In the realm of delectable holiday treats, few confections can rival the allure of authentic German Lebkuchen. These heavenly spiced cookies, boasting a rich history steeped in tradition, embody the essence of Christmas spirit. With their warm, aromatic blend of spices, chewy texture, and intricate designs, Lebkuchen have captivated taste buds for centuries. Embark on a culinary journey as we delve into the secrets of crafting these iconic cookies, ensuring your next holiday season is filled with the irresistible charm of authentic German Lebkuchen.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

GERMAN LEBKUCHEN



German Lebkuchen image

A German honey Christmas cookie made with molasses.

Provided by HILARY2000

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     German

Time 8h20m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 egg
¾ cup brown sugar
½ cup honey
½ cup dark molasses
3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 ¼ teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 ¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground allspice
½ cup slivered almonds
½ cup candied mixed fruit peel, finely chopped
1 egg white, beaten
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon lemon zest
1 ½ cups sifted confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, beat the egg, brown sugar and honey until smooth. Stir in the molasses. Combine the flour, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and allspice; stir into the molasses mixture. Stir in the almonds and candied fruit peel. Cover or wrap dough, and chill overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch in thickness. Cut into 2x3 inch rectangles. Place cookies 1 1/2 inches apart onto cookie sheets.
  • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until firm. While still warm, brush the cookies with the lemon glaze.
  • To make the glaze: In a small bowl, stir together the egg white, lemon juice and lemon zest. Mix in the confectioners' sugar until smooth. Brush over cookies.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 119.9 calories, Carbohydrate 26.6 g, Cholesterol 5.2 mg, Fat 1.1 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 1.7 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Sodium 24.1 mg, Sugar 14.6 g

AUTHENTIC GERMAN LEBKUCHEN



Authentic German Lebkuchen image

This recipe is over 150 years old and has been baked by my family for many generations for Christmas. They are much easier to make than other lebkuchen and ingredients have been updated to what's available now. They are made with almond flour, hence are gluten free and also contain no dairy.

Provided by Ruth

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     German

Time 1h10m

Yield 25

Number Of Ingredients 10

25 backoblaten (German baking wafers)
2 cups blanched almond flour
1 ¼ cups white sugar
3 eggs
½ cup ground hazelnuts
7 tablespoons finely chopped candied lemon and orange peel
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla sugar
1 pinch ground cloves
2 cups chopped dark chocolate

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange backoblaten (German baking wafers) on top, leaving a 1-inch space between them.
  • Combine almond flour, sugar, eggs, ground hazelnuts, candied lemon and orange peel, ground cinnamon, vanilla sugar, and ground cloves and mix into a firm dough.
  • Shape mixture into balls. Arrange balls on the prepared wafers; press gently to flatten into 1/2-inch-high rounds.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until light brown in color, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
  • Place chocolate in top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir frequently, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, until chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes. Cover the top of each lebkuchen with chocolate.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 211.4 calories, Carbohydrate 24.8 g, Cholesterol 23 mg, Fat 11.7 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 4.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Sodium 9.3 mg, Sugar 17.1 g

LEBKUCHEN



Lebkuchen image

The German town of Nuremberg has been famous for its lebkuchen since the late 1300s. The soft, cakey cookies are traditionally made with several spices, candied citrus peel, hazelnuts, and almonds.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Yield Makes 17

Number Of Ingredients 18

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground mace
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/3 cup blanched whole almonds (about 1 3/4 ounces), toasted, plus more untoasted for decorating
1/3 cup blanched hazelnuts (1 1/2 ounces), toasted
1/3 cup diced candied orange peel
1/3 cup diced candied lemon peel
4 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
3 ounces almond paste, crumbled into small pieces
1/3 cup apricot jam
3 large eggs
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons whole milk

Steps:

  • Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Pulse almonds and hazelnuts in a food processor until very finely chopped. Add candied peels and dates, and pulse until finely chopped. Add almond paste, and pulse to combine. Add jam, and pulse. Add eggs and brown sugar, and pulse. Add flour mixture, and pulse. Transfer dough to an airtight container, and refrigerate overnight (or up to 3 days).
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Using a 2-inch ice cream scoop (1/4 cup), drop dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing cookies 3 inches apart. Place 3 almonds close together on top of each cookie. Bake until golden brown, about 14 minutes. Let cool completely on sheets on wire racks.
  • Whisk together confectioners' sugar and milk, and brush over cooled cookies. Let stand until set.

LEBKUCHEN



Lebkuchen image

It's tradition for my family to make these German treats together. The recipe came from my great-grandmother's cookbook, and judging from the amount of requests I get, it has certainly stood the test of time. -Esther Kempker, Jefferson City, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 3 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 24

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup molasses
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon anise extract
4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon each ground allspice, cardamom and cloves
1/2 cup ground walnuts
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup candied lemon peel
1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/4 cup candied orange peel
3 tablespoons candied pineapple
GLAZE:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 15x10x1-in. baking pan with parchment., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in molasses, buttermilk and extract. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, allspice, cardamom and cloves; gradually add to creamed mixture and beat well. Stir in walnuts., Place raisins, dates, lemon peel, coconut, orange peel and pineapple in a food processor; pulse until chopped. Stir into batter; press into prepared pan. Bake 25-28 minutes or until lightly browned., For glaze, in a small saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil; boil 1 minute. Remove from heat; whisk in confectioners' sugar. Spread over warm bars. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips:

  • Mise en place: Before you start baking, make sure you have all your ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you stay organized and avoid scrambling later on.
  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the quality of your ingredients, the better your lebkuchen will taste. Look for fresh, organic ingredients whenever possible.
  • Follow the recipe carefully: Lebkuchen is a delicate pastry, so it's important to follow the recipe carefully. Don't skip any steps or substitute ingredients unless you know what you're doing.
  • Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing the dough will make the lebkuchen tough. Mix it just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Let the dough rest: After mixing the dough, let it rest for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. This will help the dough relax and make it easier to work with.
  • Bake the lebkuchen at a low temperature: Lebkuchen should be baked at a low temperature (300-325°F) for a long time (about 15-20 minutes). This will help the lebkuchen cook evenly and prevent it from burning.
  • Let the lebkuchen cool completely before decorating: Once the lebkuchen is baked, let it cool completely before decorating it. This will help the icing set properly.

Conclusion:

Lebkuchen is a delicious and festive German pastry that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. By following these tips, you can make your own lebkuchen at home that is sure to impress your friends and family. So what are you waiting for? Start baking today!

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