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Lebkuchen (Gingerbread) Cookies

A German Classic
Course Christmas, Cookies, Desserts
Cuisine All-American, German
Keyword Christmas, cookies, German, gingerbread
Servings 30 cookies
Author Lynn / Turnips 2 Tangerines

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup softened butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon Lebkuchengewurz spice
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 3/4 cup finely ground almonds
  • 1/2 cup candied lemon peel
  • 1 tablespoon orange liqueur or brandy
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins, chopped and soaked in 1/3 cup brandy, optional
  • 32 Oblaten baking wafers, 3-inch size
  • Ingredients for Lebkuchengewurz Spice:
  • 5 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Combine all ingredients together.
  • Store in an air-tight container.
  • Vanilla Glaze:
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons brandy
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • Chocolate Glaze:
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
  • 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate chip

Instructions

  • Cream butter, sugar and eggs until light and fluffy. Mix in flour, spices, cocoa powder and baking powder, alternating with milk. Fold in ground almonds and lemon peel. Stir in liqueur or brandy. Stir in raisins, if using.
  • Line baking sheet with Oblaten or draw 3-inch diameter circles on parchment paper using a cup or biscuit cutter as a template. Drop about 3 tablespoons cookie dough into the center of each circle. If you are using "Oblaten" drop the dough onto the wafer and smooth to the edges or when baking sheet is full, use the back of a spoon to fill out the circle. Slightly mounding the dough towards the center.
  • Bake at 375° for 15 to 20 minutes. Turn down oven to 350° if cookies are browning to fast. Let cool for a few minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool. While cookies are still warm, make glaze.
  • Vanilla Glaze:
  • Place sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, boil for 1 to 2 minutes. Add vanilla and brandy. Sift powdered sugar over the hot sugar syrup and stir. Using a pastry brush, brush warm glaze over warm cookies. Let dry completely.
  • Store in an airtight container or freeze cookies
  • Chocolate Glaze:
  • Place chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Heat sugar, corn syrup, and water in a 1-quart saucepan over medium high heat. Stir constantly until sugar dissolves. Pour mixture over chocolate chips. Let sit for 1 minute. Stir until glaze is shiny and chocolate is melted. Brush glaze over Lebkuchen. Dry glazed cookies until set
  • Store in an airtight container or freeze cookies