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Lebkuchen cookies on a baking pan
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Lebkuchen

Lebkuchen cookies are wunderbar! Warm gingerbread spices meet soft cakey dough and delicate frosting. A German gem that'll make your holiday party special.
Course Dessert
Cuisine German
Keyword How Do I Make Lebkuchen, How To Make Lebkuchen, Lebkuchen, Lebkuchen Recipe
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 18 Cookies
Calories 429kcal
Author Kathleen

Ingredients

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1/4 cup minced candied orange peel
  • 1/4 cup minced candied lemon peel
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
  • 1/3 cup blanched whole almonds

Glaze:

  • 2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar sifted
  • 5 tablespoons whole milk

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment; set aside.
  • Mix cream and vinegar in a small bowl and let sit until thickened, about 30 minutes.
    How to make Lebkuchen, whisking the milk with vinegar
  • Whisk together the all-purpose flour with the almond flour, candied orange and lemon peels, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt, in a medium mixing bowl.
    How to make Lebkuchen, mixing the dough
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the brown sugar, shortening, and molasses on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes, or until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  • Pour in thickened cream and mix until smooth.
  • Gradually add the flour mixture, and beat on low speed, until just combined.
    How to make Lebkuchen, adding flour
  • Using a 1/4 cookie scoop shape the dough into mounds, placing on prepared baking sheets, 3 inches apart. Arrange 3 whole almonds in a star pattern on the top of each cookie. Gently, slightly flatten the cookies with your hand.
    How to make Lebkuchen, lightly pressing the cookies
  • Bake the cookies in the preheated oven, until lightly brown, about 15 minutes. Let the cookies cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes, then remove them to a wired rack to cool completely.
  • When cookies are completely cool, make the glaze. Add confectioners sugar and milk to a small mixing bowl and whisk until smooth.
    How to make Lebkuchen, whisking the flaze
  • Dip the tops of each cookie into the glaze, allowing excess to drip off, then set on a wire rack to allow the glaze to set.
    How to make Lebkuchen, cookies on a cooling rack for dripping glaze

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 429kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 146mg | Potassium: 241mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 1.8mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 2.3mg