Lebkuchen, the German Christmas Cookie

I love Lebkuchen! Living in Germany for so many years, I grew up eating this holiday treat and every once in a while work up the nerve to make them. It's not easy. It's a cross between gingerbread and snicker doodle maybe? Hmmm, maybe not. You'll just have to try them for yourself. And hey, if you don't want to spend a couple hours working on them, they have deliciously authentic versions at Aldi and Trader Joe's!



Lebkuchen:
3 C honey
2 1/4 C packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1 TBSP lemon zest
3 TBSP lemon juice
8 1/4 flour
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp allspice
1 1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cloves
1 C chopped candied citron
1 C chopped pecans
2 C sliced almonds
1 1/2 C white sugar
3/4 C water
1/3 cup sifted confectioners' sugar

-Bring honey to a boil, remove from heat and cool slightly. Stir in brown sugar, beaten eggs, lemon rind and juice. Combine flour, baking soda and spices and gradually add to the honey mixture. Stir in citron and pecans. Cover and chill overnight.

-Preheat oven to 400. Shape dough into 1" balls. Place 2" apart on a greased cookie sheet. Gently press to 1/4" thickness. Gently press an almond slice in the center of each cookie. Bake for about 10 minutes. Remove cookie sheets from oven. Brush glaze over cookies and remove to wire racks to cool.

-Glaze: Combine 1 1/2 C sugar and water in a small heavy saucepan, cook over low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cook over high heat, without stirring, until mixture reaches thread stage. Remove from heat, stir in confectioner's sugar, mixing well. Pour over cookies.

 Fröhliche Weihnachten! Merry Christmas!!!