German Christmas Cookies, also called Lebkuchen or German gingerbread cookies, are an authentic German cookie that is spicy, soft and incredibly flavorful. You can give them as gifts to your family and friends! Easy to make with aromatic lebkuchen spice mix.
2 cup or 250 gramsall-purpose flouryou might need more or less than that to form the dough
Instructions
First, you need to combine all ingredients for the spice mix or if you are using a store-bought lebkuchen spice, you can skip this step.In a saucepan, combine honey, sugar and butter and cook on medium heat until the sugar has completely dissolved, stirring constantly. Let cool to room temperature. Add 1 egg, lemon zest and Lebkuchen spice mix. Add baking soda, baking powder and flour and knead into a firm dough. Wrap the dough in plastic foil and let it rest for at least 1 hour 30 minutes in the fridge.
Preheat the oven to 180 °C or 355 ºF. Knead the dough again. Roll thick on floured surface (4-5 mm or 1.5-2 inches). Cut the dough with cookie cutters of your choice.
Place on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden. Increase the baking time if you like harder cookies. Immediately remove from the baking tray. Let cool and decorate with glaze or leave plain. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Cook’s Tips
These German Christmas Cookies or Lebkuchen are spicy, soft and incredibly flavorful. This recipe doesn't require long waiting times, but still results in the most amazing spiced cookies that are crunchy from the outside and soft from the inside.
They make a perfect holiday snack and a nice homemade Christmas gift.
If you plan to make a gingerbread house, Lebkuchen would fit well. You need to roll the dough thinner, so that it is harder when baked.
Feel free to decorate your Lebkuchen as you wish. I left them plain and they are still beautiful in their simplicity. You can use this simple lemon cookie glaze if you wish.
Feel free to experiment with shapes. I made stars, hearts, reindeers and donkeys.
This recipe makes about 20-25 medium-sized cookies. The exact amount depends on the size of your cookie cutter.
Store the cookies in an airtight container with a slice of apple inside, to keep them from drying. When the apple gets brown, replace it. You can store the Lebkuchen for up to two weeks on the counter.
You can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Recipe Variations
To make this recipe vegan, replace egg with 1 tablespoon flax mealwhisked together with 3 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes until thickened.
Replace regular butter with vegan butter.
Replace honey with maple syrup for extra flavor. That will also help you to turn this recipe into vegan.