Lebkuchen is a spicy German cookie synonymous with Christmas. Soft in the centre and slightly crunchy on the edges, fragrant with spices and sticky molasses. What this cookies lack in looks it makes up for in flavour and like all good things, improves with age! Similar to gingerbread but much more tender so don’t attempted to make this gingerbread house from this mixture.
This is a particularly good version adapted from Greg Patent book A Baker’s Odyssey.
A classic spicy Christmas biscuits from Germany
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 115 g/ 1 stick salted butter
- 30 mls/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup castor sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 3 1/4 cup plain flour sifted
- 3 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 3 teaspoons cocoa powder
- pinch salt
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 15 g/1 tablespoon butter at room temp
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 to 4 tablespoons water
Stir together in a bowl the buttermilk and soda. It will become bubbly and thick.
- Add the honey and molasses and stir to combine. In a bowl of a stand mixer beat the butter until smooth, add the oil, sugar and vanilla.
Beat for 3 -4 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, followed by the molasses and honey mixture. It will look curdled but that's ok.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients. The dough will be thick and slightly wet. At this point it's a good idea to wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight or even a few days to allow the flavours to mature.
When ready to bake, heat the oven to 180C/350F. Line baking trays with baking paper.
Use baking paper dusted with flour to roll out the dough. It will be sticky so be liberal with the flour. Roll the dough to about 1 cm/1/3inch thick.
Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters or simply squares with a knife. Arrange on prepared baking trays allow a little room for spreading.
Bake for 12-13 minutes. Don't overbake.
- Make the icing as soon as the trays go into the oven, by beating all the ingredients together until a smooth consistency.
Once the cookies are out of the oven and still warm, paint with the icing.
Leave as is or embellish as desired.
Allow to cool on a wire rack.
Wow, you made Lebkuchen?!? I’ve never tried making them, but the ones you made look amazing! Have to put that on my Christmas baking list for next year!
Henriette, this recipe for Lebkuchen is delicious! You should try them!