Traditional German Lebkuchen (Spice Cookies)

These traditional German Lebkuchen cookies are soft and chewy, with a unique blend of spices, honey, and citrus zest. A festive treat commonly enjoyed during the holiday season, they’re lightly glazed for an extra touch of sweetness.

Ingredients:

– 1/2 cup honey

– 1/2 cup molasses

– 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed

– 1 large egg

– 1 tbsp lemon zest

– 1 tbsp orange zest

– 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

– 1/2 tsp baking soda

– 1 tsp ground cinnamon

– 1 tsp ground cloves

– 1 tsp ground allspice

– 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

– 1/2 tsp ground ginger

– 1/4 cup finely chopped nuts (such as almonds or hazelnuts)

For the Glaze:

– 1 cup powdered sugar

– 2-3 tbsp milk or lemon juice

Directions:

In a medium saucepan, heat the honey and molasses over low heat until warm. Remove from heat and stir in the brown sugar, egg, lemon zest, and orange zest. Mix until smooth.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and ginger.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in the chopped nuts.

Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) to allow the flavors to develop.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Roll the dough into small balls (about 1 inch each) and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and milk or lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle or brush the glaze over the cooled cookies and let set.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes | Chilling Time: 2 hours | Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Kcal: 110 kcal | Servings: 30 cookies

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