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German Christmas Cookies

Lebkuchen Recipe

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 112
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 to 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 to 2 tsp milk (optional)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment. Beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add honey and egg, beat until combined.
  2. Whisk flour, baking soda, spices, and salt in a separate bowl.
  3. Stir dry ingredients into wet until no streaks remain; dough will be sticky. Chill if needed.
  4. Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough, place 2 inches apart. Bake one tray at a time for 10 to 12 minutes, then cool.
  5. Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice to a thick glaze; dip cookie tops, let set for 15 minutes.

Notes

Chilling the dough for 30 minutes makes it easier to handle and helps the cookies keep their shape. For multiple trays, bake one at a time; the second batch may bake a minute less.