German Christmas Cookies (Lebkuchen Recipe aka German Gingerbread) (2024)

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[Updated 12/2/2022] Lebkuchen, a.k.a German Gingerbread, are traditional Christmas Cookies that has been around for centuries.

It was originally invented bymonks inFranconia,Germanyin the late 1200s, but has evolved over the last 800+ years into numerous variations.

Here’s a look at the origins of these beloved German Christmas cookies, as well as a simple Lebkuchen recipe courtesy of Chef Mirko Peters, the Executive Chef of the Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection.

READ MORE:90 Christmas Traditions Around the World

German Christmas Cookies/Lebkuchen Gingerbread Guide

  1. History of German Christmas Cookies
  2. Nürnberger Lebkuchen
  3. Lebkuchenherzen
  4. Elisen Lebkuchen
  5. Other Types of Lebkuchen
  6. Lebkuchen Recipe a.k.a. German Gingerbread
  7. Lebkuchen Cookies FAQs

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The History of German Christmas Cookies

Lebkuchen is a traditional German Christmas cookie dating back to the 13th century. The treat was invented by monks in Germany, with professional bakers recorded making the Christmas dessert as early as 1296 in Ulm and 1395 in Nuremberg.

Nuremberg quickly became the most famous exporter of the German ginger cookies, which soon garnered the name Nürnberger lebkuchen.

In those days, Nuremberg sat at the crossroads of major trade routes. So the city could easily import spices that were needed for the recipe and couldn’t be found locally.

The forest that surrounded the city, which was often called “the Emperor’s Bee Garden,” also proved important. The various brightly colored flowers there attracted bees, which in turn produced honey (the only sweetener that existed at that time).

The Lebkuchen cookie gained widespread recognition in 1487. Emperor Fredrich III held a general assembly in Nuremberg, inviting nearly 4,000 children from across the city to attend.

At the special event, he presented the children with German Christmas cookies that were decorated with his own portrait.

In order to officially recognize the profession and create specific guidelines that had to be followed in order to sell the cookies, Nuremberg went on the create the “League of Lebkuchen Bakers” in 1643.

Ever since then, Lebkuchen cookies have remained a popular German Christmas delicacy. They have become a common Christmas cookie tradition, not just in Germany but in many other European and North American countries as well.

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Nürnberger Lebkuchen

Since their creation, Lebkuchen have been baked and prepared in a variety of ways, differing in shape, flavor, and style of presentation.

The most well-known type is Nürnberger lebkuchen. Recognized for their soft texture, they include marzipan as a main ingredient, and have remained fairly true to the original recipe that was created in Nuremberg in 1395.

One popular variation of Nürnberger lebkuchen is kaiserlein, which are just lebkuchen that have an imprinted or drawn picture on them for decoration.

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Lebkuchenherzen

Lebkuchenherzen is harder and crunchier than other types of lebkuchen.

They’re typically made in the shape of a heart, with delicate icing detailing on the top.

This variation gained popularity after becoming a staple at Oktoberfest, and are often delivered with loving or funny messages.

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Elisen Lebkuchen

Elisen Lebkuchen are widely considered to be the highest quality of lebkuchen available.

It is generally required that they have at least 25% almonds, hazelnuts, and/or walnuts in the recipe, as well as no more than 10% flour.

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Other Types of Lebkuchen

Braune lebkuchen (brown gingerbread) is baked with honey, and the dough is usually shaped into a mold.

Once baked, they are usually coated in a glaze mixture or dipped in chocolate.

Weisse lebkuchen (white gingerbread) use a large amount of egg whites in the dough giving them a lighter appearance once cooked. They are commonly decorated with almonds and orange or lemon peels.

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German Christmas Cookies (Lebkuchen Recipe aka German Gingerbread) (8)

Lebkuchen Recipe (aka German Gingerbread)

This traditional Lebkuchen recipe comes to us courtesy of Chef Mirko Peters, the Executive Chef of the Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection.

Try decorating them with white, green, and red frosting for an especially festive holiday treat!

INGREDIENTS:

  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. cloves
  • 1/2 tsp. allspice
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 cup dark molasses
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/2 cup mixed chopped candied fruits & peels

LEMON GLAZE INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 slightly beaten egg white
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel
  • 1 tbsp. lemon juice
  • dash of salt

DIRECTIONS:

  • Stir together dry ingredients.
  • In a separate bowl, beat the egg. Add the brown sugar and beat until fluffy. Stir in honey and molasses and beat until well mixed.
  • Add dry ingredients to the mixture, stirring well until combined. Stir in nuts and fruits. Chill overnight.
  • Roll chilled dough on a floured surface into a 14-inch square.Cut into 3 1/2 x 2-inch rectangles or use cookie cutters to form the desired shapes.
  • Place 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet and bake at 375°F for 12 to 14 minutes.
  • Let cool 1 minute before moving to wire rack.
  • While Lebkuchen is baking, make the lemon glaze.
  • Combine all ingredients and mix well. Brush onto the cookies while they are still warm.

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Lebkuchen Cookies FAQs

What is on the bottom of Lebkuchen?

The thin, paper-like wafer on the bottom of lebkuchen is called an Oblaten. It was originally used by monks as a means to prevent the dough from sticking.

It is made out of flour, so it is completely edible. But if you prefer, it can be peeled off of the cookie before eating.

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What does Lebkuchen taste like?

The taste of lebkuchen varies slightly– from spicy to sweet– based on the type and individual recipe used to make the German gingerbread.

In general the cookie has a lightly nutty taste, with just the right amount of spice peaking through to make them flavorful.

It is generally a fairly chewy dessert, with a cake-like texture inside and a slight crunch on the outside.

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What is the difference between Pfeffernuse and Lebkuchen?

Pfeffernuse and lebkuchen are both German Christmas cookies that include similar main ingredients, like flour, honey, and a blend of various spices to add flavor.

The main difference between the two traditional foods is that lebkuchen is made with nuts, while pfeffernusse is not.

Pfeffernusse also have a dome shape, whereas lebkuchen tend to be flatter.

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What is Lebkuchen Allerlei?

Lebkuchen Allerlei is a variation of braune (brown) lebkuchen.

They have a light and cakey texture, and tend to be heavily spiced.

Once baked, they can be served plain, glazed, or covered in chocolate. They usually tend to be served in an assorted variety. – by Christina Maggitas; lead photo via Pixabay

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German Christmas Cookies (Lebkuchen Recipe aka German Gingerbread) (2024)

FAQs

Is gingerbread and Lebkuchen the same thing? ›

Sure, it belongs to the category of baked goods flavored with spices like cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg and sweetened with honey, molasses or sugar. But unlike a crisp gingerbread man cookie, lebkuchen is soft, dense, and often nutty, with a texture somewhere between a cake and a cookie.

Why is German gingerbread special? ›

German Gingerbread is soft and moist, unlike the hard gingerbread that is known in North America. It is made with nuts and a special spice mixture called Lebkuchen spice that is similar to Pumpkin Pie Spice and gives them their unique flavor.

What is typically not used for traditional German Lebkuchen gingerbread? ›

The addition of a few spices to regular buttery pastry does not make a Lebkuchen. Traditionally, gingerbread is baked with potassium carbonate as a raising agent. Regular baking powder or baking soda is not really suitable for gingerbread dough that needs to rest for several days.

What is the wafer on the bottom of Lebkuchen? ›

Lebkuchen dough is usually placed on a thin wafer base called an Oblate. This was an idea of the monks, who used unleavened communion wafer ingredients to prevent the dough from sticking. Typically, they are glazed or covered with very dark chocolate or a thin sugar coating, but some are left uncoated.

What is on the bottom of German gingerbread cookies? ›

Another easy-to-find in Germany 'round Christmas time, also for making lebkuchen, is back-oblaten, or baking wafers, which typically line the bottom of lebkuchen. They're helpful in keeping the sticky cookie from sticking while baking, and a fun bit of texture to the cookie itself.

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. Soft, moist and nutty German gingerbread was invented by medieval monks in Franconia, Germany in the 13th century.

Is gingerbread a German Christmas tradition? ›

Today, the ultimate Christmas gingerbread incarnation is of course the gingerbread house. It has been suggested that these edible structures originated in Germany between the 16th and 18th centuries. The trend for gingerbread houses must have spread to Britain at some point during the nineteenth century.

What is a German gingerbread heart called? ›

Lebkuchenherzen have become a staple in German celebrations, especially around Oktoberfest and Christmas time. They're typically decorated with intricate icing designs and lettering, including endearing or funny messages. Try your hand at making them and share them with someone you love!

Is Pfeffernusse the same as lebkuchen? ›

Pfeffernusse and lebkuchen are both similarly flavored with honey and lots of warm baking spices but pfeffernusse are almost always small, rounded cookies coated with a powdered sugar glaze, while lebkuchen may be shaped like regular cookies or cut in bars and are generally glazed with chocolate.

Does lebkuchen need to be refrigerated? ›

Slide the parchment paper with the lebkuchen out onto a flat surface and cut the lebkuchen into bars. To store, stack in a tin, layered between waxed paper, and keep, tightly closed, in a cool spot. The lebkuchen will keep three weeks or longer but also can be frozen for long storage, wrapped in waxed paper and foil.

What is the difference between German and American gingerbread? ›

Bavarian gingerbread is traditionally made with honey, spices, ground nuts, rye flour, and orange peel, while American gingerbread prominently features molasses and ginger.

What are some fun facts about Lebkuchen cookies? ›

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 is the famous German wafer? ›

Hanuta is the famous German hazelnut slice with a cream made from freshly roasted hazelnuts and a tangy, aromatic cocoa between two crispy wheat waffles. These ingredients lend Hanuta the unique nutty-sweet and slightly tart taste at the same time.

Why is gingerbread called Lebkuchen? ›

The root meaning of the name Lebkuchen has been lost, although there are many plausible explanations. While kuchen is 'cake' in German, the particle 'leb' may refer to Old German expressions for crystallized honey, sweetness, or even loaf. These spiced honey cakes first appeared in monasteries in the late Middle Ages.

What are other names for Lebkuchen? ›

Lebkuchen, also called Pfefferkuchen, is German gingerbread. These cookies are either rectangular or round, they have a sweet, lightly nutty taste, and their aroma is spicy, a bit like nutmeg and allspice. They are usually soft with a slight crunch from chopped nuts.

What is gingerbread in Germany? ›

"Lebkuchen" (gingerbread) is also known as "Honigkuchen" (honeycake) in some parts of Germany.

What is another name for gingerbread cookies? ›

Another popular confection is quequi or queque, a chewy biscuit made with ginger, molasses and coconut. In America we have two names for these: molasses cookies or gingerbread.

References

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