Chocolate Lebkuchen, a traditional German Christmas cookie, tantalizes taste buds with its rich chocolate flavor and enticing aroma. These delectable treats are often adorned with intricate designs, making them feast for the eyes as well as the palate. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice cook, embarking on this culinary adventure will create sweet memories and fill your home with holiday cheer.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
CHOCOLATE LEBKUCHEN CHERRY BALLS
Here's my twist on the traditional German holiday lebkuchen-with a surprise inside. Maraschino cherries add a sweet and unexpected punch to the holiday spice of gingersnaps. -Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 45m
Yield 5 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place gingersnaps, cream cheese, 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup almonds, orange peel and extract in a food processor; process until combined. Refrigerate until firm enough to form into balls. Pat cherries dry with paper towels. Wrap each cherry with a rounded tablespoonful of cream cheese mixture; shape into a ball. Freeze until firm, about 20 minutes. , Chop remaining sliced almonds; set aside. In a double boiler, melt remaining chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Dip cherry balls in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Sprinkle balls with almonds. Place on waxed paper. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 76 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 4mg cholesterol, Sodium 37mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 1g protein.
CHOCOLATE LEBKUCHEN
Having lived in Germany, I try to keep my German cooking as authentic as possible. This lovely lebkuchen recipe is a culinary Christmas custom. -Cathy Lemmon, Quinlan, Texas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h15m
Yield about 1-1/2 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 25
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Combine water and vanilla; gradually add to crumb mixture, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. , On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/16-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 2-1/2-in. round cookie cutter. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 325° until set, 8-10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. , For topping, in a small bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg and oil. Combine the oats, flour, nuts, cocoa, baking powder and spices; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in candied peels. , Drop 1 rounded tablespoon topping onto each cookie; gently press down. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 325° until set, 13-16 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. , In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Dip each cookie halfway in chocolate; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper; let stand until set. Store in airtight containers.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 238 calories, Fat 14g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 32mg cholesterol, Sodium 122mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (15g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.
GERMAN LEBKUCHEN CAKE WITH WHITE CHOCOLATE FROSTING
Steps:
- For syrup:
- Using vegetable peeler, remove peel (orange part only) from oranges in strips. Mince enough peel to measure 4 tablespoons. Mix honey, orange juice and 2 tablespoons orange peel (reserve remaining 2 tablespoons peel for cake) in heavy medium saucepan. Boil until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 10 minutes. Set honey syrup aside.
- For cake:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 9-inch square baking pan with 2-inch-high sides. Line bottom with waxed paper. Butter paper. Dust pan with flour. Using electric mixer, beat first 8 ingredients in large bowl until fluffy. Mix in reserved 2 tablespoons minced orange peel. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift flour, baking soda and baking powder into medium bowl. Mix half and half and lemon juice in small bowl. Beat dry ingredients alternately with half and half mixture into butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix in currants. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. (Cake will not rise to top of pan.) Cool cake 20 minutes. Run small sharp knife around pan sides to loosen. Turn cake out onto rack; cool. Peel off paper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover syrup and cake separately and let stand at room temperature.)
- For frosting:
- Melt chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth. Cool to barely luke warm. Using electric mixer, beat butter and cream cheese until light. Add chocolate and 1/4 cup honey syrup and beat until smooth and light. Chill until thick enough to spread, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
- Cut cake horizontally in half. Place bottom layer cut side up on platter. Brush with 1/4 cup honey syrup. Spread 1 1/4 cups frosting over. Brush remaining 1/4 cup syrup over cut side of top cake layer. Place cake cut side down atop filled layer. Set aside 2/3 cup frosting for garnish. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Press almonds around sides. Spoon remaining 2/3 cup frosting into pastry bag fitted with small star tip. Pipe frosting decoratively around top edge of cake. Chill cake until frosting sets, about 1 hour. Garnish with orange slices. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Let stand 2 hours at room temperature before serving.)
CHOCOLATE LEBKUCHEN
This recipe comes from Christmas, 1961. These bars have a light, tart frosting. This dough needs to ripen for a couple of days, but it's worth it.
Provided by Juanita Peek
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European German
Time P3DT1h20m
Yield 50
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Combine sugar, honey and water in a large saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, then remove from the heat and set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, stir together the honey mixture with the chocolate chips, almonds, candied fruit, eggs, and orange juice. Sift together the flour, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, baking soda and baking powder; stir into the fruit and nut mixture. Tightly cover the bowl, and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days to blend the flavors.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool and frost with the orange frosting.
- To make the orange frosting, put the confectioners' sugar in a small bowl, and beat in the orange juice 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached. Spread over the cooled bars. Cut bars into diamond shapes, and place cinnamon candies on top then sprinkle with the green sugar.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 135.2 calories, Carbohydrate 26.5 g, Cholesterol 7.4 mg, Fat 3.3 g, Fiber 0.9 g, Protein 1.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 39.5 mg, Sugar 17.3 g
CHOCOLATE LEBKUCHEN
This is a good recipe given to me by my friend Jenny's grandmother. She said to plan your work, then work your plan. She was so right!
Provided by Pat Duran
Categories Chocolate
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- 1. Mix together in a saucepan and bring to a boil the honey, molasses,and corn syrup. Cool completely. Stir in brown sugar,eggs,lemon juice, and rind, mixing well. Set aside. Sift together the flour ,cocoa,cinnamon, cloves,allspice and nutmeg. Mix in citron and nuts. Combine the sugar and flour mixture and add the baking soda with the water,using dough hook to mix well. Add more flour to make a stiff dough to roll. Chill dough overnight. Roll small amount at a time, keeping rest chilled. Roll out 3/8 inch thick and cut into oblongs 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches. Place 1 inch apart on greased baking sheet. Bake in 350^ oven for 12-15 minutes. Bake until when touched lightly with your finger no imprint remains. Brush the following glaze on the hot cookies as soon as they come out of the oven. --- Glaze:--this should be very thin as it sets up fast Boil together: 1 c. granulated sugar 1/2 c. water until sugar dissolves, and reaches 230^. Then remove from heat and add: 1/4 c. powdered sugar or more Brush hot icing THINLY and QUICKLY over cookies, and place 1 or 2 half almond slice on each cookie. If icing gets to thick, reheat slightly, add a teaspoon or more hot water.
- 2. It's good to have the kids help out here with the nuts or even the brushing on of the icing.
Tips:
- Plan Ahead: Lebkuchen dough needs time to rest and mature, so plan to make it at least a day in advance or up to 2 weeks.
- Use Quality Ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will impact the final flavor of your Lebkuchen. Use high-quality chocolate, butter, and spices.
- Don't Overwork the Dough: Overworking the dough will make it tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough before baking helps to firm it up and prevent it from spreading too much.
- Bake at the Right Temperature: Lebkuchen should be baked at a low temperature (300-325°F) to prevent it from burning.
- Don't Overbake: Lebkuchen should be baked until it is just set in the center. Overbaking will make it dry and crumbly.
- Let it Cool Completely: Allow the Lebkuchen to cool completely before frosting or decorating it.
Conclusion:
Lebkuchen is a delicious and festive German cookie perfect for the holiday season. With its rich chocolate flavor, warm spices, and soft, chewy texture, it is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. While the dough can be a bit time-consuming to make, it is well worth the effort. With a little planning and attention to detail, you can create beautiful and delicious Lebkuchen that will impress your friends and family.
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