Delicious German Lebkuchen Cookies Recipe

Indulge in the sweet and spiced flavors of traditional German Lebkuchen Men with this delicious recipe. These soft and aromatic cookies, passed down through generations, are perfect for holiday gatherings or as a cozy treat with a cup of hot cocoa. The secret to their irresistible taste lies in a combination of honey, spices, and finely grated orange zest. Enjoy creating these Lebkuchen Men, and let the warm flavors transport you to the enchanting streets of Germany during the festive season.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons finely grated orange zest
• 1/4 cup finely chopped almonds
• 1/4 cup finely chopped candied orange peel
• 1/4 cup finely chopped candied ginger

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, melt the honey, brown sugar, butter, and molasses over low heat. Stir until the mixture is smooth, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool for 5 minutes.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg and gradually add the cooled honey mixture, stirring constantly.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, salt, orange zest, almonds, candied orange peel, and candied ginger.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing well until a thick dough forms.
5. Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. Take one disk of dough from the refrigerator and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Use gingerbread man cookie cutters to cut out cookies.
8. Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Repeat the rolling, cutting, and baking process with the remaining dough.
11. Once the cookies are completely cool, decorate them with icing or melted chocolate if desired. Allow the decorations to set before storing the cookies in an airtight container.
12. Serve and enjoy these delicious Lebkuchen Men!

Interesting Facts