German Lebkuchen

Easy German Lebkuchen Recipe

Often referred to as Germany’s version of gingerbread, Lebkuchen is a scrumptious baked treat that has become part of every German home’s Christmas tradition. These soft, flourless cookies are filled with ground hazelnuts and almonds, candied citrus, and topped with chocolate or sugar glaze. If you’re looking for an easy Nürnberger Elisenlebkuchen recipe, keep reading to learn how to make these delicious German iced gingerbread Christmas cookies. They’re a German Christmas favorite!

cookies

Cooking time: 1 h

You’re going to need:

  • 2 TBSP cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp cloves
  • 1/2 tsp coriander
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom
  • 1/2 tsp anise
  • 1/2 tsp ginger
  • 1/4 nutmeg (or mace)
  • 8 TBSP zest (5-7 lemons and 5-7 oranges)
  • 1 cup [198g] sugar
  • 3/4 cup [170ml] water
  • 1 1/2 cups [213g] whole almonds
  • 1 1/2 cups [213g] whole hazelnuts
  • 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar (lightly packed)
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup [60g] candied zest
  • 2 TBSP Lebkuchen Spice Mix
  • 1/8 cup honey
  • 2 eggs

Instructions:

  • Combine the ground spices in a small bowl or jar.
  • Cover and set aside.
  • This recipe makes a little more spice mix than you need for these cookies. Feel free to add more spice mix to the cookies if you'd like a stronger flavor.
  • Wash oranges and lemons.
  • Zest the citrus using a microplane.
  • Heat water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium high heat.
  • Add zest and stir.
  • Bring to a low boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Strain out the liquid and let the candied zest cool in a small bowl.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until you're ready to use it. This recipe will likely make a little more candied zest than you need for these cookies. Feel free to add more if you'd like a stronger flavor.
  • Use a food processor to grind the almonds and hazelnuts until they're like crumbs. (But be careful that you don't grind so long that they turn into nut butter! It's ok if you have some larger nut chunks.They don't all have to be the same size.) Set ground nuts aside.
  • Add the brown sugar, Lebkuchen Spice Mix, baking powder, and salt to a mixing bowl (or the food processor or the bowl of a stand mixer). Mix with a whisk or spoon until combined