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Lebkuchen

Prep
30 min
Bake
10 min
Total
40 min
Makes
25

Ingredients

  • 3 ½ tbsp50 gunsalted buttersoftened. German butter is unsalted and has about 82 percent fat. In the US use unsalted butter; European-style unsalted butter is closest. In the UK use unsalted butter.
  • ¾ cup150 ggranulated sugar
  • 2large eggs
  • 1 tspground cinnamon
  • 1 tspground nutmeg
  • 1 tspground cloves
  • 1 tspunsweetened cocoa powderPure unsweetened cocoa powder for baking. In the US use unsweetened cocoa powder (not hot cocoa mix); in the UK, cocoa powder (not drinking chocolate).
  • 3 ½ oz100 gcandied citron peelCandied peel of the citron, a large lemon-like fruit, diced for fruit breads and Christmas baking. In the US use candied citron or candied lemon peel; in the UK, cut mixed peel or candied lemon peel.
  • 3 ½ oz100 gcandied orange peelDiced candied orange peel. In the US use candied orange peel; in the UK, candied orange peel or cut mixed peel.
  • 1 ¾ cups180 gground almondsFinely ground blanched almonds. In the US use blanched almond flour (almond meal with skins gives a darker, coarser crumb); in the UK, ground almonds.
  • ½ cup120 mlmilk
  • 2 cups250 gall-purpose flourIn German recipes plain flour means soft wheat flour Type 405 unless stated otherwise. In the US use all-purpose flour; in the UK, plain flour.
  • 1 tspbaking powderGerman baking powder is sold in 15 g packets, each meant for about 500 g (4 cups) of flour. In the US and the UK use baking powder, 1 tbsp plus ¾ tsp per 15 g packet.
  • 1 packageround baking wafersThin, round edible wafers used as a base for Lebkuchen and macaroons so they do not stick. In the US use edible wafer paper (potato-starch based, sold for baking; not spring-roll rice paper), cut to size, or Back-Oblaten ordered online. In the UK use edible rice paper from the baking aisle, cut to size.
  • ¾ cup plus 1 tbsp100 gpowdered sugarVery finely ground sugar for icings and dusting. In the US this is powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar); in the UK, icing sugar.
  • lemon juiceas needed

Method

  1. Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. Add the eggs one at a time.
  3. Chop the candied orange peel and candied citron peel very finely.
  4. Stir in the spices, ground almonds, milk, candied orange peel and candied citron peel.
  5. Mix the flour with the baking powder, sift and fold it in as well.
  6. The easiest way to portion the dough onto the wafers is with an ice cream scoop. Bake at 325°F (165°C) for about 10 minutes.
  7. Sift the powdered sugar and add lemon juice until the glaze has the consistency you like.
  8. Brush the glaze over the cooled Lebkuchen and let it dry.
  9. Enjoy!

From German Pastry Chef. Full recipe with photos: germanpastrychef.com/recipes/lebkuchen/