Lebkuchen German Cookies Recipe
This classic Lebkuchen German Cookies Recipe blends honey, citrus zest, warm spices, and a sweet glaze for a soft, chewy holiday cookie.
18 Servings
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
For the glaze:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
Preheat the oven.
- Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
Prepare the wet mixture.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the honey, dark brown sugar, unsalted butter, lemon zest, orange zest, eggs, and almond extract. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth and well combined.
Add dry ingredients.
- Incorporate the baking powder, baking soda, flour, and spices into the wet mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Form and bake cookies.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing evenly. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the cookies are just set. They should remain soft in the center.
Cool and prepare glaze.
- Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool. While cooling, prepare the glaze by combining granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat, then whisk in powdered sugar until smooth.
Glaze the cookies.
- Dip the tops of the cooled cookies into the glaze, allowing excess to drip off. Place back on the rack until the glaze sets completely before serving.
Notes
To prepare this Lebkuchen German Cookies Recipe gluten-free, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Choose a blend that contains xanthan gum for structure. The cookies may spread slightly more but will remain soft and flavorful.