Description
Soft, warmly spiced German Lebkuchen cookies with honey, ground almonds, and a glossy sugar glaze, perfect for holiday baking and gifting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup ground almonds
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze), plus 1-2 tablespoons water or milk as needed
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter, honey, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs and lemon zest. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ground almonds, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough forms. If dough is very sticky, chill briefly.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Arrange prepared baking sheets so you have room to space the cookies. Keep a small bowl of water handy to dampen your hands for shaping.
- Assemble the Dish: Using a spoon or small scoop, portion dough and shape into uniform rounds with damp hands, placing them on the lined baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Cook to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set and the cookies are golden but still soft in the center.
- Finishing Touches: While cookies are warm, whisk powdered sugar with 1 to 2 tablespoons water or milk to a spreadable glaze consistency and brush onto cookies. Alternatively, let cookies cool completely and dip in melted chocolate if desired.
- Serve and Enjoy: Allow glaze to set, transfer to a cooling rack or serving platter, and enjoy with tea, coffee, or mulled beverages. Store in an airtight container to maintain chewiness.
Notes
- Use high-quality honey for the best flavor and moisture.
- Resting the dough overnight in the refrigerator enhances spice development and texture.
- Do not overbake, cookies should remain soft and chewy.
- For a shinier glaze, apply two thin layers once the first has set.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx 25 g)
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: Lebkuchen, German gingerbread, holiday cookies, spiced cookies, honey cookies, Christmas baking