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Traditional German Lebkuchen

Philly Fluff Cake Recipe
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Traditional German Lebkuchen are soft, spiced cookies, reminiscent of gingerbread, packed with candied citrus peel, ground nuts, and warm spices. Baked on Oblaten wafers and optionally finished with a sweet glaze or decadent chocolate, these festive treats are a holiday favorite for their irresistible aroma and chewy texture.

Ingredients

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Main Dough

  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup candied lemon peel, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup candied orange peel, finely chopped
  • 1 cup ground almonds
  • 1 cup ground hazelnuts
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 30 Oblaten wafers (optional)

For the Glaze (optional)

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp water or lemon juice

For Chocolate Coating (optional)

  • 5 oz dark or milk chocolate, melted

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, or if using Oblaten wafers, place them directly on the baking sheet.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the honey, brown sugar, and eggs until the mixture is smooth, pale, and fluffy.
  3. Add Citrus and Nuts: Stir in the finely chopped candied lemon and orange peels, then add the ground almonds and hazelnuts to the mixture. This adds flavor and texture to your cookies.
  4. Incorporate Spices and Leavening: Sprinkle in the cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, salt, and baking soda. Mix until everything is well combined into a sticky dough.
  5. Shape Cookies: Drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the Oblaten wafers or the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each. Gently flatten each mound with damp fingers to help them spread evenly while baking.
  6. Bake: Bake for 20–22 minutes, or until the tops are firm and lightly golden. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the tray as they will set further while cooling.
  7. Glaze (Optional): For a sweet finish, mix the powdered sugar with water or lemon juice to make a glaze. Brush this over fully cooled cookies and let them set.
  8. Chocolate Coating (Optional): For a chocolatey twist, dip the bottoms or drizzle the tops of cooled cookies with melted chocolate. Let the coating set fully before storing or serving.

Notes

  • Oblaten wafers can often be found at specialty or European grocery stores, but parchment paper works well as a base if not available.
  • Glazed and chocolate-coated cookies keep best in an airtight container, separated by parchment paper.
  • Flavor improves after a day or two as the spices meld—these cookies store well for up to two weeks.
  • For a nuttier version, you can adjust the ratio of almonds to hazelnuts as preferred.
  • Let cookies cool completely before glazing or dipping in chocolate to ensure the coating sets properly.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yumfoodusa.com/traditional-german-lebkuchen/