Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies) - My Incredible Recipes (2024)

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Lebkuchen are German gingerbread cookies that are a vintage tried and true recipe that has been around for ages. A soft baked gingerbread cookie that is topped with a thin sweet icing that throws these gingerbread cookies over the top. A holiday cookie or dessert cookie you can make all year round.

Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies) - My Incredible Recipes (1)

These German cookies are exactly what your grandma used to make. German gingerbread is full of molasses, warm spices, and that soft baked cookie that melts in your mouth. I highly recommend this Lebkuchen recipe if you are a fan of gingerbread.

Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies) - My Incredible Recipes (2)

Reasons You Will Love This Lebkuchen Recipe

  • A classic German spice cookie that is full of rich and warm spices.
  • This is a German Christmas cookie recipe!
  • Simple everyday ingredients are needed for this recipe.
  • Freezer-friendly cookies so you can make and keep them on hand in your freezer for snacking or last-minute guests.
  • Great for gifting loved ones, having on the dessert table while entertaining, or nibbling on at home.
  • No need to do fancy frosting or cookie cutters for this recipe. These are classic cookies with all the rich gingerbread flavor.
Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies) - My Incredible Recipes (3)

Ingredients You Will Need

Butter – Unsalted butter is recommended. If you use salted butter leave out the salt in the recipe.

Molasses – Any brand of molasses works. You want a traditonal type as you don’t want the molasses to be too overpowering.

Spices – Ground cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg are all used to add warm spiced flavor to the cookie dough.

Corn Syrup – Light corn syrup is best so it will add the right texture and sweetness to the cookies.

Flour – All-purpose flour is what you will reach for. Ensure you measure properly to prevent the texture of the cookies texture being off.

Sugar – Brown sugar and powdered sugar are both used in this cookie recipe. You will use the powdered sugar for the glaze.

Salt – Salt is a must for the cookie dough. It is going to enhance and bring all the flavors together.

Baking Powder – To get the ginger cookies to fluff up as they bake you need baking powder.

Lemon – I prefer to use fresh lemon juice over bottled. It is going to really bring out the flavor in the glaze.

Vanilla Extract – A splash of vanilla is used for the simple powdered sugar glaze.

Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies) - My Incredible Recipes (4)

Variations to Lebkuchen Cookies

No Glaze – Leave off the glaze on the cookies if you want. Serve them plain, top with a frosting of choice, or even dust with powdered sugar.

Chocolate Dipped – Instead of a glaze after the cookies have cooled dip half the cookies in melted chocolate. Dark, milk, or even white chocolate works.

Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies) - My Incredible Recipes (5)

Fruity – Add in some dried fruit like dates, figs, or even apricots to the cookie dough and bake up for a fruit flavor.

Nuts – Want more of a nutty cookie? Add in some chopped almonds or even peanuts for a nice crunch.

Orange Flavor – Instead of lemon for the glaze use some orange zest and orange juice from a fresh orange instead of lemon. It will add a twist of flavor.

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Tips for Making Cookies

I have a few helpful tips you might want to consider if you make these cookies. The tips and tricks will help set you up for success when it comes to making a batch of these homemade German Lebkuchen.

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Quality Spices

Make sure your spices are fresh and quality. This is the stand-out flavor of the cookies. Traditional cookies use premium spices for the ultimate flavor.

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Cookie Scoop

Make sure to use a cookie scoop so you get even amounts of the cookie dough for each cookie. This will ensure all the cookies bake up at the same time in the oven.

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Space Between The Cookie Dough

Make sure to leave space between the cookie dough on the baking sheet. These Lebkuchen cookies will spread out as they bake.

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Lining Baking Sheet

Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to ensure the cookies do not stick. I like the silicone baking mats as they are re-useable. But if you don’t have it I recommend lining with parchment paper or cooking spray.

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Cooling Cookies

I can’t stress it enough you have to allow the cookies to cool before you add the glaze. If you try to add the glaze to hot cookies it melts right into the cookies.

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Serving Fresh

Like all cookies you will find the cookies can dry out after a few days. I recommend serving within the first 1-2 days of being made for the best quality. Or you can freeze the cookies for serving up later.

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Best Way to Store Cookies

Room Temperature – These cookies can be stored at room temperature in a sealed container. I recommend allowing the cookies to be completely cooled before you place cookies in the container. Store for around 3-5 days.

Freezing – Now if you do not eat all the ginger cookies right away freeze for 4-5 months. Place in a freezer bag or freezer container and then thaw at room temperature later when you want to eat.

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FAQs

How do I glaze Lebkuchen cookies?

You can dip the cookies in the glaze, brush it on with a silicone brush, or spoon a little glaze on in the center and spread it around the top of the cookies.

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What are some common shapes for Lebkuchen cookies?

Rectangles, hearts, stars or circles are all used for making these cookies. If you want you can roll out the cookie dough and use cookie cutters. I recommend refrigerating the cookie dough for an hour to two hours before rolling out and using cookie cutters.

Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies) - My Incredible Recipes (16)

Do I have to use candied citrus peel in Lebkuchen cookies?

No, you do not need to use candied citrus peels for topping the cookies or mixing in the batter. This is optional and used in traditional cookies. I prefer to not use it, as I find we prefer the flavor otherwise.

Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies) - My Incredible Recipes (17)

More Cookie Recipes

  • Candy Cane Cookies
  • Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Christmas Pudding Cookies

Overall, I hope you all enjoy this cookie recipe the way me and my family have over the years. A tried and true cookie!

Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies) - My Incredible Recipes (18)

Lebkuchen Gingerbread Cookies

Course Dessert

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings 30 servings

Lebkuchen Gingerbread Cookies are a German cookie that is full of warm spices, a sweet glaze, and soft baked. Try these out for a traditional Lebkuchen cookie recipe like grandma used to make.

Ingredients

Cookies-

  • ¾ cup + 2 Tbsp. Unsalted butter
  • 2 Tbsp. Molasses
  • 1/3 cup Light corn syrup
  • cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 1/3 cups Light brown sugar- packed
  • 2 large Eggs
  • ½ Tbsp. Ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp. Ground cloves
  • ½ tsp. Ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp. Ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp. Baking powder
  • ¼ tsp. Salt

Glaze-

  • 1 cup Powdered sugar
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp. Vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper and set aside.

  • In a saucepan over medium-low heat, add in the butter, molasses, and corn syrup. Heat until the butter is just melted.

  • In a large mixing bowl, add in the flour and brown sugar and mix.

  • Pour in the butter mixture into the flour mixture and mix well.

  • Add in the eggs, spices, baking powder, and salt.

  • Mix until everything is fully incorporated.

  • Using a cookie scoop, gather 1-2 tablespoons of the dough and place on the baking sheet leaving 2 inches of space between each cookie.

  • Bake 15-20 minutes.

  • While the cookies are baking, prepare the glaze.

  • In a small bowl, add in the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla.

  • Mix until smooth and clump free.

  • Once the cookies are done baking, allow to cool for 5 minutes and transfer to a wire rack.

  • Using a basting brush, brush the glaze onto each cookie.

  • Allow the glaze to harden and serve.

Did you make this recipe?

Make sure to follow on Pinterest for more recipes!

Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies) - My Incredible Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Lebkuchen and gingerbread? ›

- Lebkuchen are a traditional German cookie given as gifts at Christmas that date back to the 1300's. - Very similar to gingerbread but much darker, more dense and rich, and chewier. Lebkuchen is never crunchy. - Made with honey, whereas gingerbread uses molasses.

What is the white stuff on the bottom of Lebkuchen? ›

Oblaten Lebkuchen are distinguished by a signature edible wafer (collectively called Oblaten in German) on the bottom. The wafers are made from wheat flour, starch, and water.

What is the most famous Lebkuchen? ›

Even today, bakers in these areas tend to package their lebkuchen in simple paper cylinders rather than ornate tins, in a nod to leaner times. The most famous version by far is Elisenlebkuchen.

What is the wafer on the bottom of Lebkuchen? ›

Back-oblaten, or baking wafers, are round wafers often used as the base of each lebkuchen. They're traditional, but not necessary. It is critical that the nuts be ground into a flour, as that is their function in this recipe.

Does Trader Joe's sell Lebkuchen? ›

Our Chocolate Covered Lebkuchen are popular with a certain crowd, but some folks don't like the nuts and spices in these traditional German gingerbread cookies.

What is the best brand of Lebkuchen? ›

We believe Leckerlee lebkuchen is hands-down the highest-quality lebkuchen you can buy in the States, and we stand by our product with a 100% money-back guarantee.

What is the best selling cookie in Germany? ›

1 Lebkuchen: Germany's Favorite

We've come to the most popular German biscuit – Lebkuchen or known as gingerbread (“Lebkuchen” in English is “gingerbread”).

What does lebkuchen mean in English? ›

noun. leb·​ku·​chen. ˈlāpˌküḵən. plural lebkuchen. : a Christmas cookie usually made with honey, brown sugar, almonds, candied fruit peel, and spices.

What is the best gingerbread in Germany? ›

For more than 90 years, Nuremberg's Lebkuchen-Schmidt has been the world's leading mail-order provider of exquisite Gingerbread and pastry specialities.

What is a fun fact about Lebkuchen? ›

The dessert's roots can be traced to the 13th century when spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg were introduced to Europe. Franconian Monks are believed to have been the first to combine honey, spices, and breadcrumbs to create a sweet, flavorful dough. Lebkuchen has become associated with the holidays since then.

What do you drink with Lebkuchen? ›

Lebkuchen and Marzipan are traditional German delicacies that are probably most often enjoyed with coffee or tea – as a dessert or sweeter snack at a break.

What are the three types of gingerbread? ›

The three distinct types of gingerbread are brown gingerbread, wafer-based gingerbread and honey gingerbread.
  • BROWN GINGERBREAD.
  • WAFER GINGERBREAD.
  • HONEY GINGERBREAD.

What is German gingerbread called? ›

Lebkuchen - pronounced LAYB-kue-chn - and sometimes called Pfefferkuchen is a German baked Christmas treat somewhat resembling gingerbread.

What is gingerbread called in England? ›

In Medieval England gingerbread meant preserved ginger. The hard cookies were a staple at Medieval fairs in England and on the continent. These became known as “gingerbread fairs” and the cookies called “fairings”.

What does Lebkuchen mean in English? ›

noun. leb·​ku·​chen. ˈlāpˌküḵən. plural lebkuchen. : a Christmas cookie usually made with honey, brown sugar, almonds, candied fruit peel, and spices.

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