Best 5 Basel Leckerli Swiss Honey Spice Cookie Recipes

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Baseler Leckerli, also known as Basel honey cake, is a traditional Swiss cookie known for its aromatic spices, chewy texture, and flavorful honey glaze. Originating from the city of Basel, Switzerland, this centuries-old recipe has become a beloved treat enjoyed during the Christmas season and beyond. Baseler Leckerli is characterized by its unique blend of spices, including cinnamon, cloves, ginger, cardamom, and anise, which impart a warm and inviting flavor profile. The addition of honey and candied citrus peel enhances its sweetness and adds a delightful chewy texture. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice looking to try something new, this guide will provide you with the best recipe to create the perfect Baseler Leckerli that will impress your family and friends.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

SWISS BASLER LECKERLI (BASEL COOKIES)



Swiss Basler Leckerli (Basel Cookies) image

Makes 1 cookie sheet of cookies. For ZWT II('06). Times don't include overnight(or 5-6 hours)of drying before naking.

Provided by Nana Lee

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 45m

Yield 12-14 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

225 g honey (16 ounces)
150 g sugar (10.5 ounces)
3/4 tablespoon cinnamon
1 pinch clove powder
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
50 g ground candied orange peel
50 g ground candied lemon peel
100 g ground almonds
1 lemon, zest of, grind
50 ml kirsch (0.2 cup)
300 g flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
75 g confectioners' sugar
1 1/2-2 1/2 tablespoons kirsch or 1 1/2-2 1/2 tablespoons water

Steps:

  • Put honey, sugar, cinnamon, clove powder and nut meg in a pan, heat up slowly, then remove from stove.
  • Add candied orange peel, candied lemon peel, almonds and grind skin of lemon, stir until mixed evenly.
  • Add kirsch, flour and baking powder, knead on a table to form a soft dough.
  • While the dough is still warm, roll it out on the back of a greased baking sheet approximately 5 mm (0.2 inches) thick.
  • Let it rest for about 5 to 6 hours or over night in a dry place.
  • Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes in the center of the pre-heated oven at 430°F(220°C).
  • Mix confectioner's sugar and kirsch or water, frost dough immediately.
  • Cut off stale edges.
  • Cut dough in small pieces (5 x 3 cm, 2 x 1.5 inches), take them off the baking sheets and let them cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 350.6, Fat 4.5, SaturatedFat 0.4, Sodium 32.5, Carbohydrate 75.9, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 54.7, Protein 4.5

BASLER LACKERLI (SWISS SPICED HONEY COOKIES)



Basler Lackerli (Swiss Spiced Honey Cookies) image

From Gourmet magazine, December 1994. When I was growing up, my grandma's sister would send us a tin of Basler Lackerli every year for Christmas. I loved those cookies so much and haven't forgotten the taste. I picked up a few issues of Gourmet magazine at a library sale. Imagine my surprise when I came across this recipe. I even made my own candied orange peel. Although this isn't the exact recipe I remember, it is pretty close, and I hope to surprise, and delight, a few people at Christmas this year.

Provided by Ms. Poppy

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 1h13m

Yield 42 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup honey
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons kirsch
1/2 cup candied orange peel, finely chopped (about 3 oz)
1 1/2 cups almonds, whole natural (about 8 oz)
1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat over to 325 degrees. Line bottom and sides of a buttered jelly-roll pan, 10 1/2 x 15 1/2 x 1-inch, with foil and butter foil.
  • Make dough:.
  • Chop almonds very fine but not ground, preferably in a food processor. In a bowl whisk together flour, spices, baking powder, and baking soda. In a large heavy saucepan heat honey and granulated sugar over moderately low heat, stirring, just until sugar is dissolved. Remove pan from heat and stir in kirsch, orange peel, and almonds. Stir in flour mixture and cool dough 5 minutes.
  • With floured hands, press dough evenly into pan. Put dough in oven and immediately reduce temperature to 300 degrees F. Bake dough 25 - 30 mins, or until firm but not dry and hard, and cool in pan on a rack. Invert baked dough onto a cutting board. Discard foil and invert baked dough.
  • Make glaze:.
  • Ina small saucepan heat water with grandulated sugar over moderately low heat, stirring, just until sugar is dissolved. Sift in confectioners' sugar and stir until comined well.
  • Pour hot glaze on baked dough and brush evenly over dough, brushing continuously until glaze crystallizes and whitens. Let glazed dough stand 10 minutes Trim off and discard edges of dough and cut into 2 x 1 1/2-inch rectangles. Keep cookies in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 110.7, Fat 2.7, SaturatedFat 0.2, Sodium 41, Carbohydrate 20.8, Fiber 0.9, Sugar 13, Protein 2

BASELER LECKERLI (SWISS SPICE COOKIES)



Baseler Leckerli (Swiss Spice Cookies) image

This recipe is posted in response to a request. It's adapted from a recipe by Otto Eckstein, executive pastry chef at the Pan Pacific Hotel in San Francisco, CA.

Provided by EdsGirlAngie

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h

Yield 60-72 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup honey
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup unblanched slivered almonds
1/2 cup candied orange peel, chopped
1/2 lemon, zest of, grated

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
  • Sift together the flour, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg and baking soda.
  • Combine honey, sugar and water in a small saucepan.
  • Place over low heat until the honey just melts- do not let it boil.
  • Transfer the mixture to the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer fitted with the dough hook.
  • Let cool slightly.
  • Add the sifted flour mixture, the almonds, orange peel and lemon zest.
  • Blend until the mixture comes together in a heavy, sticky dough, adding a spoonful or two of water if needed.
  • (The mixing can be done by hand, but it's labor intensive) Resist the urge to add more water to make the dough easier to handle; it would impair the texture of the finished cookies.
  • Spread the dough about 1/2 to 1 inch thick on the baking sheets, forming 3 rectangles, each about 8 x 9 inches.
  • Bake for about 20 minutes, until the tops turn a medium brown.
  • When the dough rectangles have baked, remove pans to a rack and immediately brush the tops with glaze.
  • Let cool for 10 minutes.
  • Cut into 1 x 3-inch bars or into diamond shapes.
  • Transfer to racks to cool completely.
  • Ice with a simple sugar glaze.
  • Store in airtight containers, placing wax paper between layers.
  • Let rest at least 1 week, preferably longer.

BASLER LECKERLI (SWISS SPICED HARD BARS)



Basler Leckerli (Swiss Spiced Hard Bars) image

These are very special bars developed by the local spice merchants and made with lots of honey - very sweet, they taste just wonderful... The Leckerli was invented between 1431 and 1449. It was used to feed church dignitaries when the pope was in Basel.

Provided by Artandkitchen

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 1h20m

Yield 100-150 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 16

800 g honey
300 g unbleached slivered almonds
400 g sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
2 pinches ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
100 g candied orange peel, chopped
100 g candied lemon peel, chopped
1 lemons lemon, grated zest only (optional)
60 ml kirsch
1 teaspoon baking soda (optional) or 1 teaspoon potash (optional)
1000 g flour
250 g sugar
110 ml water

Steps:

  • Melt honey very slowly in a pan, add almonds, sugar and swirl until the sugar is melted too.
  • Let cool slightly.
  • Add all other ingredients until the Kirsch and mix well.
  • Add the flour and eventually the baking soda and work to a compact dough.
  • Roll the dough out on two greased baking sheets approximately 5 mm thick.
  • Store overnight.
  • Preheat the oven at 180°C (heat and timing are basing it on convection oven).
  • Prepare the glaze heating in a pot water and sugar until boiling point. Reduce the heat but let it boil slowly.
  • Bake 15-20 minutes at 180°C (I need 18 minutes).
  • In the meanwhile the glaze should be ready. It takes about 15 to 20 Minutes until it thickens, it's bound and crystals appear.
  • Remove from the heat but keep on a slightly warm plate.
  • When the dough is baked, remove pans to a rack and immediately cut in rectangles (but don't separate them completely) brush the tops with glaze.
  • When cooled dived the rectangles and store in airtight containers.
  • Note: you can built a gingerbread house with this dough! I used 3 fold quantities for the gingerbread house of the picture!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 110.1, Fat 1.6, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 2.6, Carbohydrate 23.2, Fiber 0.8, Sugar 14.8, Protein 1.7

BASEL LECKERLI SWISS HONEY SPICE COOKIE



Basel Leckerli Swiss Honey Spice Cookie image

It was written in a old Nebraska cook book. Basil Leckerli Swiss cookie is a pioneer recipe. I know that the Swiss settled here; I am writing recipe as written; no temperatures or amounts given.

Provided by Dienia B.

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h

Yield 25 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 1/2 cups honey
2 cups sugar
5 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon anise
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 tablespoon clove
2/3 cup citron, chopped
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
3 eggs
1/2 cup fruit juice
1 lemon
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Steps:

  • Simmer the sugar and honey in a double boiler until melted; cool.
  • Add the rest of ingredients except frosting.
  • Mix.
  • Spread in a thin sheet and bake until done.
  • Frost with thin frosting made of lemon and powdered sugar as soon as cookies are baked.

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before you start baking, make sure you have all your ingredients and tools ready. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you don't forget anything.
  • Follow the Recipe Carefully: Basel Leckerli is a traditional recipe with specific ingredients and steps. Make sure you follow the recipe carefully to achieve the best results.
  • Use Fresh, High-Quality Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly impact the taste of your cookies. Use fresh, high-quality ingredients whenever possible.
  • Don't Overmix the Dough: Overmixing the dough will make the cookies tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough before baking helps the flavors to develop and makes the cookies easier to handle.
  • Bake the Cookies at the Right Temperature: The ideal baking temperature for Basel Leckerli is 350°F (175°C). Make sure your oven is preheated before baking the cookies.
  • Don't Overbake the Cookies: Overbaking the cookies will make them dry and crumbly. Bake them just until they are set.
  • Let the Cookies Cool Completely: Before you store or enjoy the cookies, let them cool completely on a wire rack.

Conclusion:

Basel Leckerli is a delicious and traditional Swiss honey-spice cookie that is perfect for any occasion. With its unique blend of spices and honey, this cookie is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a batch of these delightful cookies today!

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