Best German Lebkuchen
Best German Lebkuchen are spiced honey-molasses cookies perfumed with cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg, with bright notes of lemon and bits of candied citron and hazelnut. Brushed with a soft-sugar glaze, they’re tender after a short rest and perfect for Christmas trays, gifting, or cozy afternoons with coffee.
- Prep20 mins
- Cook10 mins
- Serves72
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Best German Lebkuchen, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactPoor
- 30 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityPoor
- 36 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 64
- Heart Health
- 50
- Metabolic
- 12
- Digestive
- 31
- Inflammatory
- 14
- Performance
- 20
- General Wellness
- 1
Stir the honey and molasses in a medium saucepan over medium heat until combined and starting to boil, about 2 minutes.
- 2
Remove from heat, then stir in the brown sugar, egg, lemon juice, and lemon zest until well blended.
- 3
Whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg in a large bowl until evenly combined.
- 4
Add the molasses mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms.
- 5
Mix in the citron and hazelnuts.
- 6
Cover the dough and refrigerate until firm, at least 8 hours to overnight.
- 7
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- 8
Grease baking sheets or line them with parchment paper.
- 9
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness.
- 10
Cut into small rectangles and place 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- 11
Bake in the preheated oven until no imprint remains when touched lightly, about 10 to 12 minutes.
- 12
Brush the hot cookies with icing and transfer immediately to wire racks to cool completely.
- 13
Store in an airtight container with a piece of apple or orange for 2 to 3 days to soften and develop flavor.
- 14
To make the icing, combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan.
- 15
Heat to between 234 and 240 degrees F (112 to 116 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed and set on a flat surface.
- 16
Remove from heat and stir in the confectioners' sugar.
- 17
If the icing becomes grainy, reheat gently with a little water until the crystals dissolve.
- Calories 66.47 kcal Low Source 3%
- Protein 1.03 g Low Source 2%
- Carbohydrate 13.74 g 5%
- Total Fat 1.13 g Low Source 1%
- Saturated Fat 0.19 g Low Source 1%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 3.3 mg Low Source 1%
- Sodium 3.07 mg Low Source 0%
- Dietary Fiber 0.47 g Low Source 2%
- Total Sugars 9.39 g --
- Added Sugars 0.07 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 8.28 mg Low Source 1%
- Iron 0.44 mg Low Source 2%
- Potassium 46.1 mg Low Source 1%
- Vitamin A 2.34 mcg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin C 0.08 mg Low Source 0%
- Vitamin D 0.01 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Citrus 🍊
- Tree Nuts 🌰
- Eggs 🥚
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
About This Recipe
Best German Lebkuchen is a German dessert recipe made with 17 ingredients. It takes about 30 mins, serves 72, and is rated medium. Key ingredients include All Purpose Flour, Baking Soda, Brown Sugar, and Candied Fruit. Each serving provides about 66.47 kcal.
Recipe Questions
- What is Best German Lebkuchen?
- It is a German recipe made with 17 ingredients, usually served for dessert or snack.
- What is Best German Lebkuchen made of?
- The main ingredients are All-Purpose Flour, Baking Soda, Brown Sugar, Candied Fruit, Dried Lemon Peel. The full list of 17 is above.
- What goes well with Best German Lebkuchen?
- Explore these German side-dish recipes.
- How long does it take to make Best German Lebkuchen?
- About 30 mins in total: 20 mins to prepare and 10 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 66.47 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Best German Lebkuchen easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 17 ingredients and 17 steps.
- Is Best German Lebkuchen healthy?
- Best German Lebkuchen has an easyChef Pro health score of 25/100. Per serving, it provides 66.47 calories and 1.03 g of protein, or 2% of the Daily Value. It contains Citrus, Tree Nuts, Eggs, Wheat and Gluten, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
How easyChef Pro scores recipes and products
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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