If ever there was a cookie destined to steal the show at your holiday cookie swap, it’s Lebkuchen (German Spice Cookies). Each bite captures that irresistible balance between sweet honey and a deeply spiced glow, making them the Vegetarian
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Pin fans dream of—no one will miss a thing! They’re not just delicious; these chewy, fragrant cookies fill the kitchen with nostalgia, perfect for savoring with friends or gifting from the heart.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Lebkuchen uses just a handful of pantry staples, but each one brings something magical to the mix. These simple but essential ingredients work together to create the classic texture, flavor, and aroma—no wonder this Vegetarian
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Pin brings warmth to any wintry day.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for that signature soft-yet-substantial crumb.
- Baking soda: Ensures your cookies rise just the right amount for a tender bite.
- Cinnamon: Gives Lebkuchen that cozy, unmistakable warmth.
- Ground cloves: Adds a rich, deep spice note that lingers beautifully.
- Allspice: Compliments the other spices with subtle peppery sweetness.
- Nutmeg: Elevates the bouquet with a hint of nutty, aromatic magic.
- Salt: Enhances every flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Honey: The heart of this Vegetarian
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Pin, honey moistens, sweetens, and carries the spices throughout.
How to Make Vegetarian
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Step 1: Blend the Dry Ingredients
You’ll begin by combining the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl. Give it a good whisk so the spices are nicely distributed—it sets the stage for those iconic Lebkuchen layers of flavor in every bite.
Step 2: Warm the Honey
In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm the honey just enough to make it pourable. This is essential for mixing smoothly into your dough and for that deep, aromatic sweetness you want in this Vegetarian
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Pin adventure. Keep the heat gentle so you don’t burn the honey or lose its floral notes!
Step 3: Combine for Cookie Dough
Pour your warm honey right into the spiced dry mix, then stir until you have a soft, slightly sticky dough. Enjoy the gorgeous fragrance for a moment—it’s like a holiday hug! If it seems crumbly at first, just keep going; the honey works its magic quickly.
Step 4: Chill and Rest
Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and pop it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This step lets the flavors mingle and ensures a less sticky, easier-to-handle dough, key to flawless Lebkuchen cookies for your Vegetarian
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Step 5: Prep to Bake
Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment. Now’s the time to set the mood—play some festive tunes and get your favorite cookie scoop or tablespoon ready!
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and arrange them on the prepared sheet, leaving a bit of space for spreading. Gently flatten each one with your palm to create those classic, charming rounds Lebkuchen are known for and that every Vegetarian
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Pin enthusiast will recognize.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes until they’re set but still soft in the center. They’ll firm up as they cool, so don’t overbake if you want that tender, chewy middle. Your kitchen will smell like an old-world bakery!
Step 8: Cool and Finish
Let the Lebkuchen cool completely before embellishing them with your favorite finish—smooth chocolate, delicate glaze, or a classic dusting of powdered sugar. This step turns your Vegetarian
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How to Serve Vegetarian
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Garnishes
The finishing touch can be as simple or as dazzling as you like. Try drizzling the cooled cookies with a veil of vanilla glaze, dipping half in melted dark chocolate, or giving them a pretty dusting of powdered sugar. Each option adds a festive flair to this Vegetarian
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Pin, perfect for gifting or displaying proudly on your cookie tray.
Side Dishes
Lebkuchen pair beautifully with a hot mug of tea, mulled wine, or spiced cider. For a festive brunch, try serving them alongside fresh fruit, yogurt, or a platter of European cheeses—the spices sing with creamy or tangy notes, making your Vegetarian
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Creative Ways to Present
Let your inner artist shine! Stack Lebkuchen in a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon for a gift, tuck them in a holiday tin, or stack and wrap in parchment for a rustic-chic look. You can even turn this Vegetarian
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Pin into edible ornaments—poke holes before baking and thread with twine once cooled.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Lebkuchen fresh and soft by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. This makes them ideal for sharing throughout the season, so you can always reach for a quick Vegetarian
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Freezing
Want to stash a few away for later? Lebkuchen freeze delightfully. Place cooled cookies between layers of parchment in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to three months. Defrost at room temperature, and your Vegetarian
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Pin cookies taste as lovely as ever!
Reheating
If you enjoy these cookies warm, a quick 5-10 seconds in the microwave revives their soft, aromatic texture. That extra touch makes every Vegetarian
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Pin feel as if it was freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I make Lebkuchen without honey?
Honey is traditional and gives that signature flavor, but you can substitute with agave or maple syrup if needed. The cookies will still come together, but the taste may shift slightly—experiment to find your favorite for your Vegetarian
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What else can I add for extra crunch or flavor?
Try folding in finely chopped nuts, candied orange peel, or a handful of mini chocolate chips for texture and variety. These additions make your Vegetarian
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Why does my dough seem so sticky?
The dough is sticky by design! Chilling is crucial; if it’s still tacky after an hour, chill a bit longer or dust your hands lightly with flour when shaping. This tip ensures perfect, easy-to-handle cookies for your Vegetarian
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Can I double or halve the recipe?
Absolutely! You can scale up or down as needed—just keep a close eye on bake times, as smaller or larger cookies may require slight adjustments for that perfect Vegetarian
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How long do Lebkuchen stay fresh?
Stored properly, they can last up to a week at room temperature and even longer frozen. In fact, the flavors deepen over time, so your Vegetarian
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Pin cookies may taste even better on day three!
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend these Lebkuchen enough—each one is like a little note of joy you can bake, share, and savor. The flavors are timeless, and the process is simple enough for even the busiest holiday schedules. Gather your ingredients and give this Vegetarian
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Vegetarian Save Recipe Pin Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Lebkuchen (German Spice Cookies) are soft, warmly spiced, and full of holiday flavor. Made with honey, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, they’re perfect for Christmas gifting or cozy winter snacking.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup honey
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg, and salt. Combine the dry ingredients thoroughly.
- In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm the honey until pourable. Heat the honey just until it becomes easy to pour.
- Pour the honey into the dry mix and stir until a soft dough forms. Mix until all ingredients are well combined and a dough forms.
- Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Chill the dough to allow flavors to meld.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Prepare the oven and baking sheet for the cookies.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls, place on the sheet, and gently flatten. Shape the dough into balls, flatten slightly, and arrange on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes until set but still soft. Bake the cookies until just set.
- Cool completely before glazing, dipping in chocolate, or dusting with powdered sugar. Allow the cookies to cool fully before decorating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 0.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
