If you’ve ever wanted a cookie that tastes like a warm holiday hug, then you’re going to absolutely adore this Lebkuchen Cookies with Spiced Glaze Recipe. I first tried these during a chilly winter, and they instantly became my go-to treat for cozy evenings. The blend of honey, warm spices, and a zesty, glossy glaze gives these cookies such a timeless charm. Keep reading because I’m sharing all my secrets so you can get these just right in your kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic Flavor Blend: The combination of honey and warming spices creates that irresistibly rich taste you crave on cold days.
- Simple Yet Special: Despite its gourmet vibe, this recipe uses everyday pantry staples – no fancy ingredients needed!
- Customizable Glaze: The spiced glaze adds brightness and you can easily tweak it to your liking with vanilla or rum.
- Perfect for Gifting & Storing: These cookies actually get better with time, making them fantastic to prep ahead and share.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in this Lebkuchen Cookies with Spiced Glaze Recipe work hand-in-hand to give you that chewy texture and fragrant spice mix you’ll love. For best results, use fresh spices and good-quality honey – it truly makes a difference.
- Honey: Provides natural sweetness and moistness while balancing spices.
- Dark soft brown sugar (Muscovado): Intense molasses flavor adds depth and chew.
- Unsalted butter: Use room temperature for easier mixing and tender crumb.
- Orange and lemon zest: Fresh citrus zest brightens and lifts the rich flavors.
- Baking powder & Baking soda: Gives just enough rise and lightness to the cookies.
- Ground cinnamon, allspice, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, white pepper: This warming spice blend delivers classic Lebkuchen flavor complexity.
- Large egg: Binds the dough and adds richness.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the cookie base; sifted for even mixing.
- Ground almonds (almond flour): Adds delicate nuttiness and moist texture.
- Lemon juice: Just enough to adjust dough moisture if needed.
- Vegetable oil: For oiling your hands and bowl – prevents sticking and helps shape.
- Powdered sugar: For the sweet spiced glaze that finishes the cookies beautifully.
- Vanilla extract & rum (optional): Give the glaze extra flavor depth.
- Sprinkles, sanding sugar, flaked almonds: Optional decoration to add fun texture and sparkle.
- Orange peel strips: To place in the storage tin and keep cookies fresh.
Variations
I love experimenting with this Lebkuchen Cookies with Spiced Glaze Recipe by swapping little things here and there. It’s super forgiving, so you can easily make it your own depending on the occasion or what you have on hand.
- Chocolate Dip: One holiday season, I dipped half of my cookies in melted dark chocolate—a total crowd-pleaser and an elegant twist.
- Gluten-free Version: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and use almond flour as listed for a naturally nutty, gluten-free cookie that still holds together beautifully.
- Vegan Adaptation: Use dairy-free butter and flax egg to bake vegan Lebkuchen – I did this for a friend and they loved how moist and spiced they turned out.
How to Make Lebkuchen Cookies with Spiced Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Melting and Mixing the Sweetness
Start by heating the honey and dark brown sugar together in your mixing bowl—30 seconds at a time in the microwave works wonders. Stir vigorously after each burst until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture looks smooth. This is a little trick I discovered that helps the dough come together perfectly and prevents gritty sugar spots in the final cookie.
Step 2: Adding Butter, Zest & Spices
Add your cubed butter and citrus zest to the warm honey mixture, stirring gently until the butter melts completely. Then, mix in the baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, all those wonderful spices, and the beaten egg. This part fills your kitchen with one of the best smells—like a cozy spice market in winter!
Step 3: Forming the Dough
Next, fold in the all-purpose flour and ground almonds. You’re aiming for a soft yet slightly sticky dough – if it feels too dry, add a splash of lemon juice. I like to oil my hands lightly here before gathering the dough into a ball to keep it from sticking. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let it rest for at least an hour, or overnight for even more flavor depth—this resting step is key for the best texture!
Step 4: Rolling Out and Cutting Shapes
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Divide the chilled dough into thirds and roll each portion out on a silicone baking mat to about 2 cm thick. Use your favorite cookie cutters — round, star, or heart shapes all work beautifully. Be sure to leave a little space between cookies as they’ll expand slightly during baking.
Step 5: Baking and Glazing
Bake the cookies for 12 minutes until they’re just set but still soft in the middle. While they’re baking, whisk together your glaze with powdered sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and rum if you’re using it. When the cookies come out warm, transfer them carefully to a wire rack and brush on the glaze generously. I like to let the glaze dry fully before adding a second thin layer and sprinkling on sanding sugar or flaked almonds—makes them feel extra festive.
Pro Tips for Making Lebkuchen Cookies with Spiced Glaze Recipe
- Use Fresh Spices: I found that freshly ground cinnamon and cloves make a huge flavor difference – so worth the extra step.
- Rest the Dough: Letting the dough rest overnight results in a deeper, more rounded flavor and easier rolling.
- Roll Even Thickness: Keeping the dough about 2 cm thick helps the cookies bake evenly – not too crunchy or too soft.
- Apply Glaze While Warm: Brushing glaze on warm cookies ensures it soaks in nicely but doesn’t melt off.
How to Serve Lebkuchen Cookies with Spiced Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
For a simple but pretty touch, I love sprinkling sanding sugar or small sprinkles on the glaze while it’s still tacky. Flaked almonds add a little crunch and look so festive. Sometimes, I even dust with a pinch of extra cinnamon powder before serving – it’s a small detail that always impresses guests.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of mulled wine or spiced tea. At holiday parties, I serve Lebkuchen Cookies alongside a platter of dried fruits and nuts for a cozy snack board. A scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on the side can turn them into a delightful dessert, too.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I arrange the cookies in festive tins layered with parchment paper and interlace orange peel strips to keep the flavors fresh. Another idea that always gets compliments: stack small piles of cookies tied with a red ribbon as charming edible gifts! You can even sandwich some glaze between two cookies to make mini “lebkuchen sandwiches.”
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover Lebkuchen in a cake tin lined with parchment paper, separating layers with fresh orange peel strips. This little trick keeps them moist and adds a gentle citrus aroma. These cookies only get better with time, so I usually let them sit for a day or two before enjoying.
Freezing
If you want to freeze your Lebkuchen Cookies with Spiced Glaze Recipe, wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready, thaw them at room temperature – the texture stays surprisingly fresh and the flavors really shine.
Reheating
To refresh cookies that have been stored or frozen, I gently warm them in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5 minutes. This helps soften the texture just a touch and revives the aroma without melting the glaze.
FAQs
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Can I make Lebkuchen Cookies with Spiced Glaze Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, these cookies benefit from resting the dough overnight and letting the baked cookies sit for a day to deepen in flavor. Just store them in an airtight container with orange peel strips to keep them fresh.
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What if I don’t have ground almonds?
You can substitute with finely ground walnuts or hazelnuts if you like, but ground almonds provide the best moist texture and subtle nuttiness that’s traditional in Lebkuchen.
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How thick should I roll the dough?
Rolling the dough to about 2 cm thick ensures your cookies bake evenly with a nice tender center and slight chew—thinner dough will give crunchier cookies, which you can do if that’s your preference.
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Can I replace the rum in the glaze?
Yes! The rum is optional and just adds complexity. You can omit it or replace it with a splash of orange juice or almond extract for a different flavor profile.
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How do I get the glaze smooth and shiny?
Make sure your glaze is thin and runny by adjusting the lemon juice and powdered sugar until it flows easily. Applying it on warm cookies helps it adhere smoothly and dry with a lovely shine.
Final Thoughts
This Lebkuchen Cookies with Spiced Glaze Recipe has become one of my all-time favorites for cozy baking sessions and gift-giving. There’s something magical about how the spices and honey meld together to make these cookies so fragrant and comforting. I can’t wait for you to try them and experience the warmth they bring — trust me, your family and friends will be asking for them again and again!
Print
Lebkuchen Cookies with Spiced Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 22 minutes
- Yield: 30 – 40 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Description
Lebkuchen Cookies are traditional German spice cookies, rich with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, sweetened with honey and brown sugar, and often glazed with a lemony icing. These soft and chewy treats are perfect for the holiday season and make an ideal gift when stored with orange peel to enhance their flavor.
Ingredients
For the Lebkuchen
- ½ cup (170 g) honey
- 1 cup (200 g) dark soft brown sugar (Muscovado sugar)
- ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp grated nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp white pepper (optional)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 ½ cups (300 g) all-purpose/plain flour
- 1 cup (100 g) ground almonds (almond flour)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (use only if dough is a bit dry)
- 1 tsp vegetable oil (for the bowl)
For the Glaze
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar (icing sugar)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (or to taste, adjust as needed)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp rum (optional)
To Decorate (optional)
- Sprinkles or sanding sugar
- Flaked almonds
To Store
- Orange peel strips
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Combine the honey and brown sugar in a mixing bowl and heat in 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Incorporate butter and zest: Add cubed unsalted butter along with orange and lemon zest, stirring until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth.
- Add leavening and spices: Stir in baking powder, baking soda, salt, all the spices (cinnamon, allspice, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, white pepper), and the beaten egg until fully combined.
- Mix dry ingredients: Fold in the all-purpose flour and ground almonds. Mix to form a soft, slightly sticky dough, adding a tablespoon of lemon juice if the dough feels too dry.
- Rest the dough: Lightly oil a spatula or your hands and shape the dough into a ball. Cover the bowl with a towel and allow the dough to rest at room temperature for at least 1 hour or up to overnight to develop flavor and texture.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare the glaze by mixing powdered sugar, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and rum until thin and runny.
- Roll and cut cookies: Divide dough into thirds. Roll out on a silicone baking mat to about 2 cm (just under an inch) thick. Cut into shapes using round, star, or heart cookie cutters, spacing them evenly.
- Bake: Place cookies on the baking mat and bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough, gathering scraps to roll out again.
- Glaze the cookies: Transfer warm cookies to a wire rack and brush them with the glaze immediately so it adheres well. Allow the glaze to dry, add a second layer if desired.
- Decorate (optional): Sprinkle sanding sugar, sprinkles, or flaked almonds on top while glaze is still wet for decoration.
- Store: Place cookies in a cake tin separated by parchment paper with a few strips of orange peel to keep them fresh. Lebkuchen cookies improve in flavor the longer they are stored, making them a perfect festive gift.
Notes
- Chocolate glaze option: To cover the Lebkuchen in chocolate, melt ½ cup (90 g) dark chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl over simmering water, ensuring the bowl does not touch the water. Remove from heat before all chips melt, add another ½ cup (90 g) chips, and stir gently until smooth. Dip cookies in chocolate and let them dry on a wire rack before storing.
- You can adjust lemon juice in the glaze to reach your preferred consistency and tanginess.
- Resting the dough overnight enhances the flavor and texture of the cookies.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approx. 25 g)
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 4.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
