🍪 Soft, spiced, and brimming with festive flavors, Lebkuchen are Germany’s beloved Christmas cookies, often compared to gingerbread but with a unique honey-sweetened, nutty depth. These aromatic treats are coated in a shiny chocolate or sugar glaze and make the perfect holiday gift or cozy winter snack.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Rich, complex spices – Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and more!
✅ Chewy & moist – Unlike crunchy gingerbread.
✅ Traditional glaze – Chocolate or lemon-sugar for authenticity.
✅ Great for gifting – Stays fresh for weeks.
Ingredients You’ll Need
*(Makes ~30 cookies | Prep: 20 mins + Chilling | Bake: 12-15 mins)*
For the Dough:
½ cup honey (or molasses for deeper flavor)
½ cup brown sugar
1 large egg
2 cups all-purpose flour *(or 1½ cups flour + ½ cup ground almonds for authenticity)*
1 tsp baking soda
1 tbsp Lebkuchengewürz (German spice mix)* or:
1½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp allspice
¼ tsp cardamom
¼ tsp ginger
Zest of 1 lemon or orange (traditional!)
½ cup finely chopped candied citrus peel (optional but authentic)
For the Glaze:
