Nothing says Christmas quite like the warm aroma of freshly baked Lebkuchen, the traditional Austrian gingerbread cookies that are a true delight during the festive season. These spiced cookies are tender, flavorful, and filled with all the cozy warmth of the holidays. Perfect for sharing with loved ones or adding a touch of Austrian tradition to your Christmas table, this Lebkuchen recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves baking during the holidays.
Lebkuchen Austrian Gingerbread
Ingredients:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
– 1 teaspoon ground ginger
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
– 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup brown sugar
– 1/3 cup honey
– 1 large egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/4 cup chopped candied citron
– 1/4 cup chopped candied orange peel
– 1/2 cup sliced almonds
– 1/2 cup powdered sugar
– 2-3 tablespoons milk
Instructions:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Set the dry ingredients aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the honey, egg, and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
3. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms. Fold in the chopped candied citron, candied orange peel, and sliced almonds until evenly distributed.
4. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow it to firm up.
5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to a 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes or simply form dough balls and flatten them slightly to make round cookies.
7. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
8. Bake the Lebkuchen cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around the edges.
9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk to make a smooth glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies and let it set before serving.
Enjoy these aromatic Lebkuchen Austrian Gingerbread cookies with a cup of tea or share them with family and friends as a delightful holiday treat. Embrace the festive spirit and savor the flavors of Christmas with each delicious bite of these traditional cookies.
