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    Home » All Holidays » Christmas » Lebkuchen Cookies - German Christmas Cookies

    Lebkuchen Cookies - German Christmas Cookies

    Published: Nov 18, 2023 by Linda Warren

    Jump to Recipe

    Lebkuchen Cookies, aka traditional German Christmas cookies, are deliciously spicy, soft, gingerbread-like cookies made with molasses, warm spices, and nuts. Dressed up with almonds and a cherry, then brushed with a shiny sugar glaze, they will be the prettiest cookies you bake this holiday season!

    Holding lebkuchen cookie with glaze over cooling rack.

    Table of contents

    • Christmas Season Traditions
    • What is Lebkuchen
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Ingredients for Lebkuchen
    • How to Make German Christmas Cookies
    • More Christmas Cookie Recipes

    Christmas Season Traditions

    These traditional German Christmas cookies, known as German Lebkuchens or Pfefferkuchen, have been a tradition in my family for years. They were my dad's favorite cookie reminding him of his much-beloved gingerbread. Of course, he wouldn't pass up other holiday favorites like my Peanut Brittle or Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies either.

    Not only are these German spice cookies delicious and beautiful to look at but the scent of warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice as they're baking will make your mouth water! It's the perfect way to bring the scents of the Christmas season into your home.

    Iced german gingerbread cookies with nuts and cherries.

    I have to warn you, this traditional lebkuchen recipe does take a little bit of work but they are worth every minute of your time. You can even bake them several weeks ahead of time to get some of your holiday baking out of the way. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature and they'll stay as soft and chewy as the day you baked them.

    TIP: Store the baked cookies in an airtight container with an apple wedge. The apple will help to keep the cookies soft and delicious.

    What is Lebkuchen

    Lebkuchens are known as German gingerbread cookies. It's believed they were invented by German monks back in the 13th century, at which time they were known as a honey cake. In 1395, Nuremberg was given the honor of being named the home of the original lebkuchen. It is now the main exporter of what they like to call the nuremberg lebkuchen.

    Decorated spice cookies scattered on table.

    These traditional German cookies can be made in a variety of shapes, round being the most common. The cookies can be small like a regular cookie or extremely large and cake-like. They are flavored with honey and plenty of lebkuchen spice, commonly contain nuts, candied orange peel or lemon peel, and/or crystallized ginger (or the more common citron). Plus they are one of the only cookies with no fat other than eggs. Today they are one of the most popular German cookies sold in the German Christmas markets and baked around the world at Christmas time.

    Frequently asked questions

    How far in advance can I make lebkuchen cookies?

    I like to make them about 1-2 weeks ahead of time to allow the spice flavors to permeate the cookie. They're good the next day but get even better as they age!

    Can I freeze these cookies?

    Absolutely! The uncooked dough can be frozen for 6-8 months. Just make sure to wrap it in plastic wrap then secure it in a plastic freezer bag. Thaw in the refrigerator before rolling out and baking.

    You can also freeze the baked cookies for the same 6 months. Place unglazed cookies in an airtight resealable freezer bag with parchment paper between cookies and freeze. When you remove them from the freezer, thaw them in the refrigerator then top with either lemon glaze or melted chocolate glaze.

    Why don't these German gingerbread cookies have the traditional wafer on the bottom?

    The wafer is placed underneath the cookie dough to prevent sticking and is usually not eaten. Instead of the wafer, you can bake them on parchment paper or a silicone mat and get the same result much easier.

    Ingredients for Lebkuchen

    Ingredients for German Christmas cookies.

    Flour - I use all-purpose flour which gives me the best results in creating soft, chewy cookies.

    Baking Soda - leavening agent

    Molasses - adds sweetness, flavor, and aids in keeping the cookies soft

    Honey - plays the same role as molasses

    Brown Sugar - sweetens the cookies and enhances the molasses flavor

    Allspice, cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg - warming spices lend a gingerbread flavor to these cookies

    Salt - enhances all the flavors

    Almonds - add flavor and crunch

    Candied Citron - adds moistness

    Lemon Juice & Lemon Zest - adds a touch of citrus flavor that complements the lemon glaze

    Confectioners' Sugar - is the base of the glaze

    Cream - aids in making a smooth, thin glaze

    How to Make German Christmas Cookies

    Prep steps 1-4 for lebkuchen cookies.
    1. Combine the dry ingredients- flour, baking soda, salt, and spices in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
    2. In a medium saucepan, heat honey, molasses, and sugar to boiling and stir continuously until sugar has dissolved. You can test this by running a spoon through it and checking to see if any sugar crystals are present. If they are, boil a little longer.
    3. You will see it foam up and get a beautiful golden brown color.
    4. Let cool slightly. Then add egg, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Cooling the liquid will prevent the egg from solidifying when added.
    Steps to finish dough with add-ins.
    1. Add wet ingredients to the flour mixture.
    2. Mix until well combined.
    3. Add chopped nuts and citron.
    4. Stir well. It will be a very thick and sticky dough.
    Dough wrapped in plastic wrap and ready to be refrigerated.
    1. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator overnight. Finishing the cookies the next day makes cutting the shapes from the dough much easier.
    Cutting dough with cookie cutters.
    1. Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Divide into smaller batches and roll about a quarter of the dough at a time. Work on a lightly floured surface and roll to about ¼" thickness. Use cookie cutters and cut into your favorite shapes. I used a round one with a 2-½" diameter.
    Ready to bake decorated cookies on cookie sheet.
    1. Place the cutout cookies on a greased baking sheet. I like to decorate my lebkuchen cookies with 3 sliced almonds and half of a candied cherry in the center. It makes the cookies look even more Christmassy and pretty. If you would like to cover the cookies with a melted chocolate glaze you can omit this decorating step. Now bake for 10-12 minutes.
    Brushing glaze on cooled lebkuchens.
    1. Prepare the icing sugar glaze while the cookies are baking. Just mix powdered sugar with cream and a little lemon juice in a bowl. Once the cookies are out of the oven, while still warm, brush on the sugar glaze with a pastry brush.

    Note: If opting for a chocolate glaze, let the cookies cool, then heat 3 ounces of dark chocolate and 2 teaspoons of coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave oven in 30-second increments, stirring in between until melted. Dip the tops of the cookies in the chocolate, add a few almonds into the warm chocolate if you desire, and let them harden before storing.

    Letting icing set on cookies before storing.

    Move them to a cooling rack and let them set until the surface is shiny and hard. When cool, place them in an airtight container for about a week to enhance the spice flavors.

    However, I'm pretty impatient when it comes to eating something this delicious so, I know from experience, that they are almost as yummy eaten right away. It was no hardship to test that theory out. Enjoy!

    TOP TIP: Make sure the glaze is dry before storing. Putting parchment paper between the layers of cookies keeps them all looking perfect.

    Lebkuchens on red cake plate with greenery and reindeer in background.

    These spiced cut-out lebkuchen cookies are a great addition to your holiday cookie tins. Their gingerbread-like flavor is so different from the standard collection of Christmas cookies which makes them an extra special addition to your cookie tins.

    They make the perfect treat on a cold December day with a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. And don't be surprised when they're the hit of your holiday baking. Enjoy!

    More Christmas Cookie Recipes

    Pinwheel Peppermint Cookies - peppermint-flavored cookies all decked out in holiday red and white

    Pistachio Meltaway Cookies - are buttery soft cookies made with pudding mix and dotted with cherries 

    Reindeer Rice Krispies are a fun treat for the kids and the perfect addition to any holiday cookie exchange.

    Almond Cloud Cookies - are chewy & light almond cookies with a touch of sweet

    Turtle Thumbprint Cookies - soft chewy chocolate cookies filled with caramel and drizzled with chocolate

    Check out more of the best cookie recipes for Christmas. Happy baking!

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    Decorated spice cookies scattered on table.

    Lebkuchen Cookies

    Lebkuchens are spicy gingerbread-like cookies that are soft, spicy treats decorated with almonds and topped with a shiny sugar glaze.  
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: German
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Chill Time: 1 day day
    Total Time: 1 day day 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 30 cookies
    Calories: 142kcal
    Author: Linda Warren

    Ingredients

    Cookies

    • 2 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
    • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon allspice
    • ½ cup honey
    • ½ cup molasses
    • ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
    • 1 egg
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
    • ½ cup almonds, chopped
    • ¾ cup diced candied citron
    • Garnish: sliced almonds, red candied cherry halves (or optional chocolate glaze - see notes)

    Lemon Glaze

    • 1 cup powdered sugar (more can be added to get to the right spreading consistency)
    • 3-4 Tablespoons heavy cream
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

    Instructions

    Cookies

    • In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients - flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and allspice. Set aside.
    • In a medium saucepan, combine honey, molasses and sugar. Heat to boiling, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
    • Cool then stir in egg, lemon zest and lemon juice.
    • Add to dry ingredients and beat with mixer until smooth.
    • Stir in chopped nuts and citron.
    • Wrap dough in moisture proof paper or plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator overnight.
    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease cookie sheets.
    • When ready to bake, roll out the dough in small batches, on a floured surface, to about ¼” thickness. Cut with a round 2-½” diameter cookie cutter or your favorite cookie cutter.
    • Place on prepared cookie sheets and decorate each with 3 almonds and a half cherry in the center.
    • Bake for 10-12 minutes.
    • White baking, prepare lemon glaze.

    Lemon Glaze

    • In a medium bowl, stir together sugar, heavy cream and lemon juice. Add more sugar or cream to get a nice spreading consistency.
    • While still hot, brush lebkuchen with sugar glaze. Let cool just slightly then move to wire racks to cool completely.
    • Store in airtight containers for at least a week before using. They also freeze well, ship well and keep for weeks.

    Notes

    Optional Chocolate Glaze
    Melt 3 ounces of dark chocolate with 2 teaspoons of coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. 
    Dip cooled cookies in warm chocolate then let them set on a wire rack before storing.
    You can also decorate the chocolate with several almond slivers while the chocolate is still warm.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 142kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 69mg | Potassium: 138mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg

    This post has been updated. It was first published on December 19, 2017.

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    Hey, I’m Linda, the recipe creator, photographer and cocktail lover at 2 Cookin Mamas. Here you’ll find easy recipes that are not only delicious but can get you out of the kitchen ASAP. Come and join me and let me take you on a tasty trip through your kitchen. Thanks for stopping by! Learn more about me

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