Lebkuchen

Lebkuchen is a German baked Christmas treat resembling gingerbread.

The recipe was created by medieval monks in Franconia, Germany, in the 13th century. The spices that are so prevalent in the recipe were brought from the Holy Land to Europe by the Crusaders. This, along with the tradition that the Wise Men presented spices and other rare items to the baby Jesus, made spiced cookies a favorite Christmas treat in Germany.

LEBKUCHEN

Recipe by: Mary Dierberg

The recipe I use can be used for Springerle, which are molded German cookies, with three teaspoons of baking powder, or rolled and cut cookies with four teaspoons of baking powder. I received this recipe many years ago from a friend from Germany, Helga Byrne.

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• I/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature

• 3/4 cup honey

• 1 egg

• 1/2 tsp ground cloves

• 3 tsp cinnamon

• zest from 1 lemon

• 1 Tbsp rum

• 4 tsp of baking powder (3 for Springerle)

• 3 1/4 cups of flour

Put sugar, butter and honey in a large bowl in a warm oven just to soften. Mix well. Add egg, spices, lemon zest and rum. In another bowl, mix flour and baking powder, then mix with other ingredients. Refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease cookie sheet or use baking mat or parchment paper on cookie sheet. Roll out dough on floured board, cut to desired shape. Bake until lightly browned. Allow to cool and store in an airtight container.