Grandmother's Lebkuchen Cookies

Transport your taste buds to the heart of a cozy European Christmas market with Grandmother’s Lebkuchen Cookies, a treasured old-world recipe that’s as nostalgic as it is delicious. These traditional German spice cookies are infused with warm notes of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice, perfectly balanced by the rich sweetness of honey and molasses. Finely chopped almonds and candied orange peel add a delightful texture and citrusy zing, while a delicate lemon glaze gives each cookie a glossy, festive finish. Easy to prepare with a dough that chills for enhanced flavor, these cookies are ideal for holiday baking. Whether you’re sharing them with family or savoring them alongside a cup of hot tea, this recipe offers a timeless treat that only gets better as the flavors meld over time.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:12 mins

Total Time:42 mins

Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup honey
• 0.5 cup molasses
• 0.75 cup granulated sugar
• 0.33 cup unsalted butter
• 1 piece large egg
• 0.75 cup chopped almonds
• 0.5 cup candied orange peel (finely chopped)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the honey, molasses, granulated sugar, and butter. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture is smooth and the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

Step 3

Once the molasses mixture has cooled to a warm (but not hot) temperature, stir in the egg until well combined.

Step 4

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a thick dough forms. Mix in the chopped almonds and candied orange peel. Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Step 5

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 6

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just set. Do not overbake; the cookies should remain soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8

To make the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, water, and lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth.

Step 9

Once the cookies are completely cooled, brush a thin layer of glaze over the tops. Let the glaze set before storing the cookies.

Step 10

Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks. The flavors will deepen and improve over time. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1360.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4835.1

Total Fat 125.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 26.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 267.8mg	0%
Sodium 2612.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 894.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 34.8g	0%
Total Sugars 568.7g
Protein 82.1g	0%

Vitamin D 41IU	0%
Calcium 914.4mg	0%
Iron 34.1mg	0%
Potassium 4331.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 22.4%

Protein: 6.5%

Carbs: 71.0%