Recipe Details

Recipe


Recipe Title
Ilse’s Bakery Recipe: Lebkuchen
Author's Note
Overview of Recipe
<p>Lebkuchen, often referred to as German gingerbread, has a long and storied history that dates back to the Middle Ages. Originating in Franconia, Germany, in the city of Nuremberg around the late 13th or early 14th century, Lebkuchen is one of the oldest forms of German baking tradition.</p><p>The city of Nuremberg, a major trading hub located on the spice routes, played a significant role in the development of Lebkuchen. The availability of spices such as ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon, which were crucial ingredients in Lebkuchen, contributed to Nuremberg becoming the most famous producer of this delicacy by the 14th century.</p><p>The tradition of baking Lebkuchen continues to this day, especially during the Christmas season. Nuremberg still holds the title for being famous for its Lebkuchen, and the cookies are exported all over the world.</p>
Tag List
#Lebkuchen;#IlseBakeryRecipe;#Dessert;#Cookie;#Gingerbread;#Christmas
Minutes to Prepare
180
Minutes to Cook
12
Servings or People Served?
24 Cookies
Recipe Category
Dessert - Sweet course that concludes a meal
Recipe Cuisine
German
Image Attribution
SM Image Attribution
Last Updated Date
8/9/24 7:35 P
Public Title Route
ilse-s-bakery-recipe-lebkuchen
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Recipe Sections

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Order # Section Title Actions
1.00 Dough
2.00 Icing
2.50 Baking
3.00 Decorating

Ingredients and Substitutions

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Recipe Section Order # Ingredient Substitutions Actions
Dough 1.00 2 cups all-purpose flour
Dough 2.00 ground
Dough 3.00 baking
Dough 4.00 1 teaspoon baking soda
Dough 5.00 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dough 6.00 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Dough 7.00 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dough 8.00 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
Dough 9.00 1/2 cup honey
Dough 10.00 1/2 cup molasses
Dough 11.00 1/2 cup brown sugar
Dough 12.00 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
Dough 13.00 1 large egg
Dough 14.00 Zest of 1 lemon
Icing 15.00 1 cup powdered sugar
Icing 16.00 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
Icing 17.00 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Decorating 18.00 Candied citrus peel or nuts (optional)

Instructions

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Recipe Section Order # Instruction Actions
Dough 1.00 In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, ground almonds, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice.
Dough 2.00 In a separate bowl, mix together the honey, molasses, brown sugar, softened butter, egg, and lemon zest.
Dough 3.00 Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing well until a dough forms.
Dough 4.00 Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Icing 10.00 In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and ground cinnamon to make a smooth icing.
Baking 5.00 Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Baking 6.00 Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
Baking 7.00 Cut out Lebkuchen shapes using cookie cutters or a knife.
Baking 8.00 Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between them.
Baking 9.00 Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
Decorating 11.00 Once the Lebkuchen cookies have cooled, drizzle the icing over the top. You can also add candied citrus peel or nuts for decoration.
Decorating 12.00 Allow the icing to set before serving or storing the cookies.

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Recipe Card

Ilse’s Bakery Recipe: Lebkuchen

Lebkuchen, often referred to as German gingerbread, has a long and storied history that dates back to the Middle Ages. Originating in Franconia, Germany, in the city of Nuremberg around the late 13th or early 14th century, Lebkuchen is one of the oldest forms of German baking tradition.

The city of Nuremberg, a major trading hub located on the spice routes, played a significant role in the development of Lebkuchen. The availability of spices such as ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon, which were crucial ingredients in Lebkuchen, contributed to Nuremberg becoming the most famous producer of this delicacy by the 14th century.

The tradition of baking Lebkuchen continues to this day, especially during the Christmas season. Nuremberg still holds the title for being famous for its Lebkuchen, and the cookies are exported all over the world.

Ingredients
  • Dough
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ground
  • baking
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Icing
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Decorating
  • Candied citrus peel or nuts (optional)
Instructions
  1. Dough
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, ground almonds, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and ground allspice.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix together the honey, molasses, brown sugar, softened butter, egg, and lemon zest.
  4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing well until a dough forms.
  5. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  6. Icing
  7. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and ground cinnamon to make a smooth icing.
  8. Baking
  9. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  10. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
  11. Cut out Lebkuchen shapes using cookie cutters or a knife.
  12. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between them.
  13. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned.
  14. Decorating
  15. Once the Lebkuchen cookies have cooled, drizzle the icing over the top. You can also add candied citrus peel or nuts for decoration.
  16. Allow the icing to set before serving or storing the cookies.

Prep time: 3 hours

Cook time: 12 minutes

Total time: 3 hours, 12 minutes

Serves: 24 Cookies

Category: Dessert

Cuisine: German

Updated: 4 months ago

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