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Lebkuchen VI

By: Debi 
"I brought this recipe over from Germany almost 20 years ago. It has molasses, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, honey and brown sugar in it. This is one of my favorite memories of Germany at Christmastime."

Prep Time:
20 Min
Cook Time:
10 Min
Ready In:
10 Hrs

Servings  (Help)

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Original Recipe Yield 6 dozen
 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/3 cup diced candied citron
  • 1/3 cup chopped hazelnuts
  •  
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

  1. In a medium saucepan, stir together the honey and molasses. Bring the mixture to a boil, remove from heat and stir in the brown sugar, egg, lemon juice and lemon zest. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, allspice and nutmeg. Add the molasses mixture to the dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in the citron and hazelnuts. Cover dough and chill overnight.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. Using a small amount of dough at a time, roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into small rectangles and place them 1 inch apart onto the prepared cookie sheet.
  3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until no imprint remains when touched lightly. Brush the icing over the cookies while they are still hot and quickly remove them to wire cooling racks. Store in airtight container with a cup of orange or apple for a few days to mellow.
  4. To make the icing: Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat to between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface. Remove from heat and stir in the confectioners' sugar. If icing becomes sugary while brushing cookies, re-heat slightly- adding a little water until crystals dissolve.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 61 | Total Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 3mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

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The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.3 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 10, 2007 by dynette   view full review
All my German friends want this recipe--that's how authentic it tastes. The only changes I...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.3 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 25, 2003 by SAPASCHE   view full review
You need to use a lot of flour when rolling them out. Don't work the flour into the dough,...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.3 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 20, 2004 by JANALORI   view full review
I made these cookies on the request of my husband who is a German national living in the US...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.3 star rating.
Reviewed on Oct. 12, 2008 by kkdman   view full review
A few years ago I had tried a different lebkuchen recipe and although it was good, it paled in...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.3 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 20, 2006 by christa   view full review
This recipe is a bit darker and spicier than the ones my German mom used to make. I did find...
The reviewer gave this recipe 1 stars. This recipe averages a 4.3 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 9, 2003 by METTKAR   view full review
This recipe didn't work for me at all!!! After taking the dough out of the fridge to roll it...
The reviewer gave this recipe 0 stars. This recipe averages a 4.3 star rating.
Reviewed on Sep. 23, 2005 by Sinopa2   view full review
Lots of German cookie recipes can be a pain because they're so sticky. Spreading the dough in...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.3 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 2, 2007 by PumpkinPoo   view full review
This is a great recipe. Yes, the dough is VERY sticky-but a lot of German cookie recipes are...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.3 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 7, 2006 by Marguerite   view full review
These are better than what my mother use to make. And, they are LESS sticky. You just have...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.3 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 24, 2004 by Taffy Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
I have been searching for this recipe a long time. It is the closest if not the one!!!

 

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