Lebkuchen

Relish these traditional holiday cookies – perfect if you love German cuisine. ...MORE+ LESS-

Cookies

cup honey

3/4

cup firmly packed brown sugar

tablespoon grated lemon peel

egg, beaten

2 1/2

cups all purpose flour

1/2

teaspoon baking soda

1/2

teaspoon salt

teaspoon cinnamon

teaspoon nutmeg

teaspoon ginger

1/2

to 1 teaspoon cloves

1/2

teaspoon allspice

1/4

cup chopped candied orange peel

1/4

cup chopped candied citron

1/3

cup chopped almonds

Sliced almonds

1/2

cup powdered sugar

1/8

teaspoon almond extract

to 4 tablespoons water

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1

Heat honey in medium saucepan over medium heat just until it begins to bubble. DO NOT BOIL. Remove from heat. Cool 15 minutes. Add brown sugar, lemon peel and egg; blend well.
2

In large bowl, combine all remaining cookie ingredients except sliced almonds. Add honey mixture; mix well. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 to 2 hours for easier handling.
3

Heat oven to 400°F. Grease cookie sheets. In small bowl, combine glaze ingredients, adding enough water for desired glazing consistency; blend until smooth. Cover; set aside.
4

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheets. With glass dipped in cool water, gently flatten balls to 1/4-inch thickness. Gently press 1 almond slice in center of each cookie.
5

Bake at 400°F. for 5 to 9 minutes or until set. Immediately remove from cookie sheets. Immediately brush warm cookies with glaze. Cool 15 minutes or until completely cooled.

In Germany, as in many European countries, children celebrate St. Nicholas Day, December 6, by putting their shoes out for St. Nicholas to fill. Bakeries and home kitchens churn out all sorts of sweets such as these honey cookies. Lebkuchen are traditionally rolled-out cookies, but we've simplified the shaping.
When it comes to fruitcake, the world is firmly divided into those who love it and those who would just as soon use it as a doorstop. Candies citron, a quintessential ingredient in fruitcake and hot cross buns, incites reaction in both camps and is made from the peel of a fruit that resembles a quince. (Candied cherries can be substituted for the candied citron.)
Vary the icing by using orange or lemon extract in place of the almond.