Ah, willkommen in meiner Küche! It’s a joy to share with you the cherished recipe of Lebkuchen, a traditional German cookie that is close to my heart, especially during the festive season. These cookies are not just treats; they are little parcels of warmth, love, and Christmas spirit. Let’s embark on this delightful baking journey together, and I’ll guide you through each step, infusing our baking with the love and tradition that make these cookies so special.
Ingredients
- Honey: 200g (a natural sweetener, it gives Lebkuchen its characteristic taste)
- Brown Sugar: 150g (for a deep, caramel-like sweetness)
- Butter: 100g (unsalted, for a rich and tender crumb)
- All-Purpose Flour: 450g (the base of our dough)
- Almond Meal: 150g (for a nutty depth)
- Eggs: 2 large (they bind our ingredients together)
- Cocoa Powder: 2 tablespoons (for a hint of chocolate)
- Lebkuchengewürz: 2 tablespoons (this is a special German gingerbread spice mix, essential for authentic Lebkuchen)
- Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon (to help our cookies rise)
- Candied Orange and Lemon Peel: 50g each, finely chopped (for a citrusy note)
- For the Glaze: Icing sugar and lemon juice or water
This recipe will yield about 24-30 cookies, depending on the size.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Honey Mixture: In a saucepan, gently heat the honey, brown sugar, and butter until everything is melted and combined. Let it cool to room temperature.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, almond meal, cocoa powder, Lebkuchengewürz, and baking powder.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Beat the eggs into the cooled honey mixture. Then, gradually add this to the dry ingredients, stirring until you have a thick, sticky dough.
- Add Fruits: Fold in the candied orange and lemon peel.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight. This resting time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Preheat and Shape: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness. Cut out cookies using a round cookie cutter.
- Bake with Love: Place the cookies on the baking sheets and bake for about 10-12 minutes. They should be firm but not too hard.
- Glaze: While the cookies are cooling, prepare a simple glaze by mixing icing sugar with a little lemon juice or water until you get a thick but pourable consistency. Brush this glaze over the warm cookies.
- Decorate: If you like, you can add almonds or candied cherries on top for decoration.
Personal Touches and Tips
- Spice Mix: If you can’t find Lebkuchengewürz, you can make your own by mixing ground cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Aging the Cookies: Lebkuchen develops its flavors over time. Store them in a tin box with a piece of apple or orange peel; they get better after a few days.
- Chocolate Coating: For a variation, you can dip the cooled cookies in melted dark chocolate instead of the glaze.
Baking Lebkuchen is like wrapping your kitchen in a warm, spiced hug. The aroma of these cookies baking is truly the essence of Christmas. As you bake, imagine the smiles and joy these cookies will bring to your loved ones. Frohe Weihnachten und viel Spaß beim Backen! (Merry Christmas and have fun baking!)