Kim's Lebkuchen Cookies

Lebkuchen are traditional German gingerbread-like cookies with molasses and festive spices finished with a simple glaze for a beloved Christmas treat

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup dark molasses
  • 3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 1 ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp. ground cloves
  • ½ tsp. ground allspice
  • ½ tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/2 cup candied mixed fruit peel, finely chopped

Lemon Glaze:

  • 1 egg white, beaten
  • 1 Tbs. lemon juice
  • ½ tsp. lemon zest
  • 1 ½ cups sifted confectioners' sugar

How to Make Lebkuchen Cookies

  1. Beat brown sugar, honey, and egg in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth; stir in molasses. Combine flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and baking soda in a separate bowl; stir into the molasses mixture to form a sticky dough. Stir in almonds and candied fruit peel. Cover dough and chill overnight.
  2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease or line cookie sheets.
  3. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Cut into 2x3-inch rectangles. Place cookies 1 1/2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven until lightly browned, about 10 to 12 minutes.
  5. While the cookies are baking, make the glaze: Stir egg white, lemon juice, and lemon zest together in a small bowl. Mix in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Brush glaze over cookies while they are still warm.
  6. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool and set completely before storing in a single layer in airtight containers.