Lebkuchen

  Desserts

It's tradition for my family to make these German treats together. The recipe came from my great-grandmother's cookbook, and judging from the amount of requests I get, it has certainly stood the test of time.

Lebkuchen

Average Rating: 5

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling
YIELD: 3 dozen.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 teaspoon anise extract
  • 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon each ground allspice, cardamom and cloves
  • 1/2 cup ground walnuts
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup pitted dates
  • 1/2 cup candied lemon peel
  • 1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/4 cup candied orange peel
  • 3 tablespoons candied pineapple

  • GLAZE:
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 15x10x1-in. baking pan with parchment paper.
  • 2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in molasses, buttermilk and extract. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, allspice, cardamom and cloves; gradually add to creamed mixture and beat well. Stir in walnuts.
  • 3. Place raisins, dates, lemon peel, coconut, orange peel and pineapple in a food processor; pulse until chopped. Stir into batter; press into prepared pan. Bake 25-28 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • 4. For glaze, in a small saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil; boil 1 minute. Remove from heat; whisk in confectioners' sugar. Spread over warm bars. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

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