Austrian Lebkuchen (Gingerbread)
Traditional Austrian Lebkuchen are soft, spiced gingerbread cookies, perfect for the holiday season. Characterized by their rich flavor from honey, rye flour, and a blend of warming spices, these cookies are a festive delight.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Rye flour
- 120 g Butter(softened)
- 1.5 tsp Baking powder
- 120 g Powdered sugar
- 250 g Honey
- 2 large Eggs(plus 1 for egg wash)
- 2 packets Lebkuchen spice mix(or about 30g of homemade mix (see notes))
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 50 g Ground nuts(almonds or hazelnuts)
- 1 tsp Lemon zest(optional)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the honey and eggs until well combined.
- 2
In a separate bowl, whisk together the rye flour, baking powder, Lebkuchen spice mix, cinnamon, ground nuts, and lemon zest (if using).
- 3
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a smooth, cohesive dough forms. The dough might be slightly sticky.
- 4
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest at room temperature for at least 1 hour, or in the refrigerator for 30 minutes if the dough is too soft to handle.
- 5
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- 6
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch (1 cm) thickness. Cut out desired shapes using cookie cutters. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets.
- 7
Brush the tops of the cookies with the beaten egg wash. If desired, decorate with nuts or sprinkles.
- 8
Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake, as they should remain soft.
- 9
Let the Lebkuchen cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight tin, optionally with apple slices to maintain moisture.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a homemade Lebkuchen spice mix, toast cardamom pods, cloves, allspice, coriander seeds, and star anise until fragrant, then grind them with cinnamon, mace, nutmeg, and ginger.
- ✓The dough can be sticky; chilling it helps make it easier to handle.
- ✓Lebkuchen are best stored in an airtight container with a slice of apple to keep them soft.
🔄 Variations
- Decorate with royal icing after cooling.
- Add candied fruit peel to the dough for extra flavor and texture.
- Some recipes use a combination of rye and all-purpose flour.