Lebkuchen Spice Bars

Infused with the warm spices of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger, these Lebkuchen Spice Bars are a cozy, festive treat perfect for the holiday season—or any time you crave something sweet and comforting. A German-inspired classic, these bars combine the richness of honey and brown sugar with the delightful textures of chopped almonds and candied orange peel, creating a balance of deep, warm flavors and bright citrus notes. Topped with a silky lemon glaze, each bar delivers a perfect blend of sweetness and spice. Quick and easy to make in just under an hour, these spiced treasures are ideal for holiday gifting, dessert tables, or indulging alongside a cup of coffee or tea. Indulge in this traditional recipe for a taste of European holiday charm!

Nutriscore Rating: 43/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 20

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cloves
• 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.75 cup honey
• 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large egg
• 0.5 cup sliced almonds, chopped
• 0.5 cup candied orange peel, finely chopped
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.

Step 2

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the honey, brown sugar, and melted butter. Mix thoroughly until smooth.

Step 4

Add the egg to the wet mixture and beat until well incorporated.

Step 5

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.

Step 6

Fold in the chopped almonds and candied orange peel until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 7

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Step 9

Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10

While the bars are cooling, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and lemon juice until smooth.

Step 11

Once the bars are completely cool, spread the glaze evenly over the top. Allow the glaze to set before slicing into 20 bars.

Step 12

Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1096.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4212.3

Total Fat 136.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 65.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 480.5mg	0%
Sodium 1542.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 722.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.7g	0%
Total Sugars 461.5g
Protein 53.4g	0%

Vitamin D 66.8IU	0%
Calcium 457.2mg	0%
Iron 19.1mg	0%
Potassium 1186.5mg	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: 28.3%

Protein: 4.9%

Carbs: 66.8%