Christmas Cookie Assortment: Lebkuchen – Sonlight Homeschooling Weblog

Rising up in a house influenced by German roots, I appeared ahead to Christmas treats that spoke of that heritage. Lebkuchen (“leben” – favourite meals, very candy and “kuchen” – cake) is a mushy and chewy cookie that’s harking back to gingerbread. The mixture of heat spices, honey, and typically nuts, makes it excellent for an after-meal deal with, or an accompaniment to morning espresso.

Lebkuchen goes again to 14th century Germany the place Catholic monks ready the deal with in monastery bakeries. The cookie was valued each for its symbolic spiritual which means and its therapeutic properties. Over time many variations on this cookie recipe have emerged. Be at liberty to play with the flavors to search out your favourite mixture.

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Lebkuchen

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Put butter out to melt.

Substances:

For the Cookies

• 2 1/4 cups (280g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons floor ginger
• 1 teaspoon floor cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon floor cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon floor nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon floor allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (120ml) honey
• 1 giant egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (75g) chopped candied citrus peel (non-compulsory)
• 1/2 cup (60g) chopped nuts (reminiscent of almonds or hazelnuts, non-compulsory)

For the Glaze

• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (non-compulsory)

Directions:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk collectively sifted flour, baking soda, the spices, and salt. Put aside.
3. In a separate giant bowl, cream collectively the softened butter and granulated sugar till mild and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
4. Add in honey, egg, and vanilla extract, beating till properly mixed.
5. Progressively add the dry components to the moist combination, mixing till a mushy dough varieties. In case you’re utilizing the non-compulsory candied citrus peel and nuts, fold them into the dough at this level.
6. Scoop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls and roll them into 1-inch balls, spacing them about 2 inches aside on the baking sheet. Flatten every ball barely utilizing the underside of a glass or together with your fingers. (Be aware – I didn’t hassle with rolling the dough into balls, I simply dropped a tablespoon full at a time onto the cookie sheet and flattened the dough barely with my fingers).
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or till they’re simply set and the perimeters begin to flip golden brown. Don’t overbake; lebkuchen ought to stay barely mushy.
8. Whereas the cookies are baking, put together the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar, milk, and lemon zest (if utilizing) in a small bowl till clean. Be at liberty so as to add extra milk to make the glaze “spreading” consistency.
9. Take away the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes. Then, utilizing a pastry brush or a small spoon, glaze the tops of the cookies with the icing whereas they’re nonetheless heat.
10. Permit the glazed lebkuchen to chill fully on a wire rack. As soon as the glaze has hardened, retailer them in an hermetic container. Flavors will proceed to develop over the subsequent couple days.

This recipe will yield roughly 2 dozen cookies.

Now is a superb time to start curating recipes to grow to be your personal Christmas traditions. Sonlight has some easy recipe playing cards the place you possibly can file your favorites and create your personal Christmas Cookie Assortment.

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