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Lebkuchen Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 144 reviews

Lebkuchen cookies are a traditional German spiced treat, perfect for the holiday season. These soft, puffy cookies are packed with warm spices, nuts, candied fruit, and citrus zest, then finished with a tangy lemon glaze and a decadent dark chocolate dip. Refrigerating the dough overnight enhances the flavors and texture, resulting in delectably moist and aromatic cookies.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 3–1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1–1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1–1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 large egg
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 cup molasses (table molasses preferred)
  • 1/2 cup almonds (chopped or slivered)
  • 1/2 cup candied mixed fruit and peel
  • 1 tsp orange zest
  • 1 tsp lemon zest

Glaze Ingredients

  • 1 large egg white (beaten till frothy)
  • 1–1/2 cups icing sugar
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 pinch salt

Chocolate Coating

  • 4 cups dark chocolate (chocolate wafers or candy melts recommended)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375 degrees F to get it ready for baking the Lebkuchen cookies.
  2. Make the Dough: In a large food processor, combine all dough ingredients and process using the ‘Dough’ setting until the mixture is homogeneous and the nuts and candied fruit are finely ground. Scrape down the sides and pulse a few more times to fully incorporate the flour.
  3. Chill the Dough: Transfer the sticky, soft dough into a bowl, cover it, and refrigerate overnight to develop flavors and firmness.
  4. Prepare Dough for Shaping: Take half of the chilled dough and place it on a well-floured work surface. Dust the dough itself with flour and roll it out into a 1-inch thick rope. Using a bench scraper or sharp knife, cut the dough into 1-inch chunks.
  5. Shape Cookies: Shape each chunk into a small round, approximately the size of a walnut or smaller, depending on your preference. Arrange the cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving ample space between each to allow spreading.
  6. Bake: Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes until they puff up and the tops develop a slight crackled appearance.
  7. Make the Lemon Glaze: While cookies are baking, whisk together the egg white, icing sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt until smooth and homogenous.
  8. Glaze the Cookies: Using a pastry brush, gently apply the lemon glaze onto 3-5 hot cookies at a time. The glaze will soften with the heat, allowing you to carefully brush it evenly over the cookie surfaces.
  9. Set the Glaze: Let the lemon glaze set for about 20 minutes to form a shiny coating on the cookies.
  10. Melt the Chocolate: Melt the dark chocolate over a double boiler or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well between intervals until smooth.
  11. Dip in Chocolate: Dip the base of each glazed cookie into the melted chocolate and place them on a parchment-lined sheet to allow the chocolate to harden.
  12. Storage: Once set, store your Lebkuchen cookies in airtight containers to maintain freshness and texture.

Notes

  • Refrigeration overnight is key for better flavor development and easier shaping.
  • Ensure the work surface is well floured to prevent sticking while shaping the dough.
  • If you prefer a stronger citrus flavor, increase the orange and lemon zest slightly.
  • Use good quality dark chocolate for dipping to ensure a glossy finish and rich taste.
  • These cookies can be stored for up to two weeks in sealed containers.
  • The glaze should be applied carefully while cookies are hot for best absorption and shine.
  • Using a food processor helps evenly distribute nuts and fruit in the dough for a consistent texture.

Keywords: Lebkuchen, German cookies, spiced cookies, holiday cookies, molasses cookies, Christmas baking, lemon glaze, chocolate dipped cookies

Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/lebkuchen-cookies-recipe/