Homemade German Nürnberger Lebkuchen

Ingredients

• 200g (1 ¾ cups) all-purpose flour 200g (1 ¾ cups) all-purpose flour
• 100g (1 cup) ground almonds 100g (1 cup) ground almonds
• 100g (1 cup) ground hazelnuts 100g (1 cup) ground hazelnuts
• 150g (¾ cup) honey 150g (¾ cup) honey
• 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground ginger ½ tsp ground ginger
• 100g (½ cup) candied orange peel, finely chopped 100g (½ cup) candied orange peel, finely chopped
• 100g (½ cup) candied lemon peel, finely chopped 100g (½ cup) candied lemon peel, finely chopped
• 50g (¼ cup) dark chocolate, melted (for decoration) 50g (¼ cup) dark chocolate, melted (for decoration)
• 50g (¼ cup) whole almonds (for decoration) 50g (¼ cup) whole almonds (for decoration)

Nutrition

• Calories: 150 kcal / 628 KJ
• Fat: 7g (1g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 20g (12g sugars)
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, ground almonds, ground hazelnuts, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the honey, sugar, and eggs until well combined.
3. 3.
   Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until a sticky dough forms.
4. 4.
   Fold in the candied orange peel and candied lemon peel until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
5. 5.
   Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
6. 6.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. 7.
   Take small portions of the dough and roll them into balls, approximately 1 inch in diameter.
8. 8.
   Place the dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie.
9. 9.
   Gently press a whole almond onto the top of each cookie for decoration.
10. 10.
    Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown.
11. 11.
    Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
12. 12.
    Once cooled, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cookies for an optional decorative touch.
13. 13.
    Serve and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground almonds and hazelnuts — Make sure to use finely ground nuts for a smooth texture in the cookies.
• Candied orange and lemon peel — If you can't find pre-made candied peel, you can make your own by simmering thin strips of orange and lemon peel in a simple syrup until translucent.

Tips & Tricks

• For a more intense flavor, let the dough rest in the refrigerator overnight before baking.
• If you prefer a softer texture, store the cookies in an airtight container for a day or two before serving.
• Experiment with different shapes and sizes for a fun twist on the traditional Lebkuchen.
• If you want a glossy finish on the cookies, brush them with a thin layer of apricot jam before baking.
• Feel free to customize the spices to your liking by adding a pinch of cardamom or allspice.

Serving advice

Serve Nürnberger Lebkuchen with a cup of hot mulled wine or a warm mug of cocoa for a cozy winter treat. Dust the cookies with powdered sugar before serving for an extra touch of sweetness.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Nürnberger Lebkuchen on a festive platter, garnished with fresh sprigs of mint or a dusting of powdered sugar. Place a few whole almonds around the cookies for an elegant presentation.