Holiday Lebkuchen (German Spice Cookies) Recipe

Name: Holiday Lebkuchen (German Spice Cookies)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 cups whole almonds; boiling water to cover; 2/3 cup chopped dried apricots; 8 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped; 4 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 2 teaspoons ground ginger; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 2 eggs; 1 cup brown sugar; 1 cup honey; 1/4 cup blackstrap molasses; 1 tablespoon water; 2 teaspoons almond extract; 2 teaspoons grated orange zest; 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest; 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar; 2 tablespoons whole milk; 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Servings: persons

2 cups whole almonds
boiling water to cover
2/3 cup chopped dried apricots
8 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
4 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup honey
1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons almond extract
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons whole milk
1 teaspoon lemon zest

1
Cover almonds with boiling water in a bowl. Let stand for 1 to 2 minutes and drain. Rinse with cold water and drain again. Pat almonds dry and remove skin. Allow almonds to dry on paper towels.
2
Place half the almonds in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Add apricots and dates; pulse until fruit is chopped. Reserve remaining 1 cup almonds.
3
Combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, cloves, cardamom, and salt in bowl. Beat eggs, brown sugar, honey, molasses, water, almond extract, orange zest, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Add apricot mixture, blending until evenly distributed. Gradually stir in flour mixture on medium speed until dough comes together. Cover dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 8 hours to overnight.
4
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
5
Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to about 1/2-inch thick. Cut out cookies with a 2 1/2 to 3-inch diameter cookie cutter. Arrange cookies about 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.
6
Lightly press 3 almonds into each cookie with tips towards the center to create a star pattern.
7
Bake in preheated oven until cookies begin to brown, about 12 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool on a wire rack.
8
Meanwhile, whisk confectioners' sugar, milk, and 1 teaspoon lemon zest in a bowl until glaze is smooth. Brush warm cookies with glaze and allow cookies to cool completely.

1547

kcal

Calories

Fat

265

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Swap the honey for maple syrup or agave for a slightly different but equally rich sweetness.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
Leave out the nuts to make it nut-free, or swap in seeds for a similar crunch.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 22 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 2 cups whole almonds, boiling water to cover, 2/3 cup chopped dried apricots, 8 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped, and more.

Yes, Holiday Lebkuchen (German Spice Cookies) falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Holiday Lebkuchen (German Spice Cookies)

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions