Lebkuchen – German Spiced Christmas Cookies
Category: Desserts
Servings: 22 cookies
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Eggs | 100g |
| Sugar | 160g |
| Walnuts (shelled) | 270g |
| Candied orange peel | 70g |
| Candied citron peel | 70g |
| Acacia honey | 30g |
| Vanilla bean (half) | 1/2 |
| Ground cinnamon | 5g |
| Lemon zest | to taste |
| Wafer sheets (for baking) | 22 sheets |
| Ground cinnamon (extra) | 1/2 tsp |
| Ground cloves | 1/2 tsp |
| Ground coriander | 1/2 tsp |
| Ground cardamom | 1/2 tsp |
| Ground nutmeg | 1/2 tsp |
| Star anise | 1/2 tsp |
| Dark chocolate | 100g |
| Seed oil (for melting) | 1 tbsp |
| Blanched almonds (for decor) | to taste |
| Candied cherries (for decor) | to taste |
| Powdered sugar | 70g |
| Rum | 1 tsp |
| Red wine | 1 tsp |
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Walnuts
- Begin by placing the shelled walnuts and half of the sugar (80g) into a food processor.
- Pulse intermittently to achieve a coarse walnut texture, with some finely ground pieces and others left a bit chunkier.
- Transfer the ground walnuts into a mixing bowl and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Candied Fruit
- Add the candied orange peel, candied citron peel, and acacia honey into the food processor.
- Pulse the mixture until itβs finely chopped and combined into a sticky paste.
- Add 1 tablespoon of the ground walnuts to help facilitate the blending. Once done, set the mixture aside.
Step 3: Spice Mix
- In a small bowl, combine the ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground coriander, ground cardamom, ground nutmeg, and star anise.
- Stir briefly to mix the spices together. This spice mix is a key ingredient for making authentic Lebkuchen and can also be found pre-made in Germany as “Lebkuchen spice mix.”
Step 4: Prepare the Egg Mixture
- Crack the two eggs into a separate mixing bowl.
- Add the remaining sugar (80g) and the seeds from half of the vanilla bean.
- Use an electric hand mixer to beat the ingredients until they become fluffy and pale in color.
Step 5: Combine Ingredients
- Stir the ground walnuts, candied fruit mixture, and the prepared spice mix into the egg mixture.
- Add the zest of 1/4 lemon and combine until smooth.
Step 6: Form the Cookies
- Take a small portion (about 30g) of the dough and shape it into a ball using slightly wet hands.
- Place the formed dough balls on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or wafer sheets.
- Preheat the oven to 200Β°C (static mode) and bake the cookies for about 13 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Once done, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on a rack.
Step 7: Melt the Chocolate
- In a small saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and melt the dark chocolate over a double boiler (bain-marie).
- Once melted, transfer the chocolate to a small bowl for dipping.
Step 8: Dip the Cookies
- Once the cookies have cooled, dip the base of each cookie into the melted chocolate.
- Gently tap the cookie to remove any excess chocolate, then place it on a cooling rack with the chocolate side facing up.
- While the chocolate is still soft, you can decorate the cookies by adding half a candied cherry or a blanched almond to the top of each cookie.
Step 9: Prepare the Glaze (Optional)
- If you prefer a glaze, combine the powdered sugar with the rum and red wine in a small bowl.
- Mix until smooth to create a glaze.
- Dip the base of each cookie into the glaze, shaking off the excess, and place the cookies on the rack with the glazed side up.
- Let the cookies dry completely before serving.
Enjoy Your Homemade Lebkuchen!
These traditional German Christmas cookies are a delightful treat during the festive season. Rich with warm spices, candied fruit, and crunchy walnuts, they are made even more indulgent with a layer of chocolate or a sweet glaze. Perfect for gifting or enjoying with a hot cup of tea or mulled wine!
