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Lebkuchen - Chocolate Spice Cookies

12/19/2018

55 Comments

 
I was looking through my Christmas baking folder for some inspiration (which I need desperately these days) and came upon a recipe from a 2002 Gourmet magazine issue. I had written “excellent” on the recipe. Last year, I made a a similar cookie recipe from Luisa Weiss’s Classic German Baking called Baseler Brunsli (click here for the recipeBaseler Brunsli). Both these cookies belong to the family of Lebkuchen. You can find many different recipes for Lebkuchen throughout the German-speaking countries. Lebkuchen is a blanket term for German gingerbread, and this particular recipe is a smoother and more cake-like version, with a hint of chocolate, hazelnut and almond too. I love them because they are not overly sweet, but my American family is not a big fan of this tasty treat. They will go for the sweeter shortbread, sugary kind of cookie. That’s why I bake a variety of different cookies, put them in my tins and have one I like in the afternoon with my tea.
Lebkuchen spiced cookies
I baked these cookies because they remind me of the German Elisenlebkuchen, a treat from the German town of Nürnberg. Traditionally, they are baked on wafers and covered with either chocolate or a powdered sugar icing. I didn’t add the wafers and the icing, which makes them less sweet and easier to bake. I also liked the combination of ground hazelnuts and almonds. Instead of chocolate, this recipe uses unsweetened cocoa powder. Like all Lebkuchen recipes, these cookies improve after being stored in a tin for a few days or weeks. They are soft and chewy, and should not be stored with other cookies.
Lebkuchen
This year will be a special Christmas because my niece and her husband are visiting from Germany. It doesn’t happen very often that I get to celebrate with my German family and it is always very special to me when they come to my home in California. So, I am baking and decorating as much as I can. Check out my post from 2016 with most of my family’s favorite cookie recipes. (click here)
French Country Pâté
If you feel like a savory treat for the holidays, try my country pâté. It’s a great party pleaser.(click here )
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My dear readers, I wish you all a peaceful holiday filled with good food and surrounded by people you love. May the stars shine upon you and may your home be filled with warmth and good cheer.
 Fröhliche Weihnachten and best wishes for the coming year!
review recipe for Lebkuchen
55 Comments
John / Kitchen Riffs link
12/20/2018 12:30:48 pm

Terrific looking cookie! Love the spices in it -- this must have such a pleasant flavor. Thanks. And Merry Christmas!

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Gerlinde
12/21/2018 04:49:54 pm

The spices and the ground hazelnuts and almonds give a cookies a wonderful texture and flavor.

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Teagan Geneviene link
12/20/2018 12:53:04 pm

Gerlinde, everything looks so delicious! The tree is lovely too. Enjoy your guests. I'm sure they will remember this visit forever.
Have a magical Christmas. Hugs.

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Gerlinde
12/21/2018 04:51:48 pm

I hope you also have a magical Christmas with good things happening to you my dear.

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Pamela link
12/20/2018 02:53:29 pm

MERRY CHRISTMAS, Gerlinde. As always, my mouth waters when I read your blog posts. The photos and recipes are holiday-terrific. xo

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Gerlinde
12/21/2018 04:53:16 pm

Thanks Pamela, have a wonderful Christmas and a great New Year.

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Eha
12/20/2018 03:38:37 pm

Fröhliche Weinachten und ein gutes Neu Jahr ! For most of Northern Europe this translates to the Lebkuchen we know as 'piparkoogid' or 'pepper' or 'spice' cookies . . . don't think any Christmas would be complete without them - but they are 'crispy' ones with definitely no chocolate . . .:) !

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Gerlinde
12/21/2018 04:56:01 pm

There are many different variations of this cookie . In Germany itself there are many different ones. Happy Holidays !

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Jean | Delightful Repast link
12/20/2018 07:05:05 pm

Gerlinde, I would like them! I prefer all my desserts less sweet. Your pate looks really good, too. Happy December!

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Gerlinde
12/21/2018 04:57:07 pm

I think you would like them Jean and a happy December to you also.

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Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen link
12/20/2018 08:34:34 pm

Your cookies look delicious! And so does the pate. I haven't had pate in quite a while. My oldest sister always loved it for the holidays when we were growing up! I hope you and your niece and her husband have a wonderful Christmas Gerlinde! And hope you have a happy and healthy 2019!

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Gerlinde
12/21/2018 05:00:30 pm

MaryAnn, I love the pâté but didn’t have time to make it this year. I am at the airport waiting for my niece and her husband to arrive. I am so happy that they are coming. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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Tricia | Saving Room for Dessert link
12/21/2018 04:16:58 am

I love Lebkuchen cookies Gerlinde and yours look fantastic. They taste like Christmas to me! Hope you enjoy your company and a fantastic Christmas holiday. Love your beautiful tree!

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Gerlinde
12/21/2018 05:02:12 pm

Tricia , I saw your tree on Facebook and it was beautiful. Enjoy the holidays.

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David link
12/21/2018 04:49:24 am

We are big fans of Lebkuchen. Mark’s mother used to make them at Christmas (Stollen, too) but since she has passed, we have missed them. Thanks for the recipe!

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Gerlinde
12/21/2018 05:05:14 pm

David, I am not a big fan of Stollen but I should post my girlfriend Inga’s recipe. She makes it with almond paste and it is very good. Maybe next year. Happy Holidays!

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valentina link
12/21/2018 04:42:45 pm

What a fun and festive post. Love the tree and of course the cookies, but I'm actually I'm most excited to jump over to your pâté recipe. Happy Holidays!

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Gerlinde
12/21/2018 05:41:35 pm

I take the pâté to a party every year and everybody seems to like it. It also freezes well. Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones.

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Ron link
12/22/2018 06:58:36 am

Your Chocolate Spice cookies are my kind of cookie indeed. I've never been a huge fan of baked sweet items, except the European type. Less sweet and not a lot of goopy icing to deal with.
It's difficult living on the other side of the pond at Christmas. It's when I miss my US family the most. Have a wonderful holiday with your family.

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Gerlinde
12/24/2018 06:54:11 am

This is a special Christmas for me Ron and I feel it. Having family on two continents is hard. I feel sorry that I’m brother is without his daughter this Christmas. I made myself a promise that if at all possible I will go to Germany next year for Christmas.

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Deb|EastofEdenCooking link
12/23/2018 07:48:17 am

Merry Christmas Gerlinde! Have a fabulous time with your niece. Sharing the holiday with family makes for a season of wonder.

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Gerlinde
12/24/2018 06:55:23 am

Thank Deb, it is a season of wonde, especially this year. Happy Holidays to you my friend.

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Jo Nell Huff link
12/23/2018 04:37:20 pm

It all looks delicious! The tree is so elegant and natural. Enjoy your German relatives for the holidays!

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Gerlinde
12/24/2018 06:58:21 am

Thank you Jo, I looked at my tree this morning and your right, it is somewhat elegant. I didn’t put up all the homemade ornaments. Happy holidays to you.

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Gloria link
12/24/2018 12:21:32 am

Merry Christmas ! Love these cookies!

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Gerlinde
12/24/2018 06:59:53 am

Thank you Gloria and a Merry Christmas to you.

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David @ Spiced link
12/24/2018 06:45:48 am

I've never made (or even eaten) Lebkuchen, but they sound delicious! I love gingerbread, and it's one of my favorite holiday flavors. Truth be told, I like gingerbread cookies but actual gingerbread (cake form) is my favorite! Merry Christmas to you and your family, Gerlinde!! :-)

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Gerlinde
12/24/2018 07:04:05 am

David, Lebkuchen is similar to gingerbread cookies cookies in this country. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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Karen (Back Road Journal) link
12/25/2018 08:02:00 am

How very nice to have your family visiting for Christmas. Enjoy, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Day.

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Gerlinde
12/26/2018 06:58:41 am

I hope you had a nice Christmas Karen, ours was very nice.

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Abbe@This is How I Cook link
12/26/2018 08:05:42 pm

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas Gerlinde. I think these cookies sounds fabulous! Enjoy your niece!

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Gerlinde
12/28/2018 06:53:23 am

I had a great Christmas, it was so much fun and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. My turkey was tender and moist.

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Penny O'Neill link
12/27/2018 04:59:31 am

Merry Christmas, Gerlinde, and wishes for a Happy New Year! I am certain that both my husband and I would love these. They are similar in ingredients to our molasses cookies but I am thinking with just a bit more "zing". The molasses cookies, which we call Ethel Cookies after his great-aunt, also mellow with age. I think sometimes enjoy opening the container and smelling the essence of Christmas as much as eating them. :) At any rate, I will make yours in time.

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Gerlinde
12/28/2018 06:57:57 am

They do remind me of molasses cookies. I’m sure your Ethel cookies are delicious. We have to compare recipes.

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Susan link
12/29/2018 06:41:46 am

Those cookies sound wonderful! I love the sound of the chocolate in these. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year, Gerlinde!

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Gerlinde
1/2/2019 07:02:47 am

Thank you Susan, I had a great Christmas and I wish you the very best for the 2019.

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gloria Roa Baker link
12/31/2018 09:17:52 pm

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

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Gerlinde
1/2/2019 07:03:26 am

A happy and healthy New Year to you Gloria.

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Zaza link
1/1/2019 01:23:53 pm

Your pâté is making my mouth water! Happy New Year, Gerlinde:)

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Gerlinde
1/2/2019 07:05:23 am

Zaza, I really wish I had made the pâté this year. Happy New Year to you and your family,

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Karen (Back Road Journal) link
1/2/2019 04:52:28 am

I know that you must have enjoyed your Christmas this year with your niece and her husband, it is hard to be away from family during the holidays especially. Wishing you all the best in this New Year Gerlinde.

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Gerlinde
1/2/2019 07:07:51 am

I had a great Christmas, it was a lot of work but fun. Thank you for the comment Karen and wishing you a happy and healthy New Year . I can’t wait to read about your upcoming trips,

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Healthy World Cuisine link
1/4/2019 03:54:10 am

Love these delicious cookies Gerlinde and the addition of spices and chocolate together. Wishing you a super 2019!

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Gerlinde
1/4/2019 07:56:06 am

Happy New Year Bobbie, let’s keep cooking.

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Liz link
1/4/2019 03:17:21 pm

I know, the American sweet tooth is skewed! But I'd still love a couple of your spice cookies with my afternoon tea! Happy, happy New Year!!! xo

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Gerlinde
1/5/2019 09:13:13 pm

It’s not always easy to prepare food in a bi-cultural household. A happy and healthy New Year to you and your family.

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sippitysup link
1/14/2019 07:53:29 am

We did have a wonderful holiday though it was sadly lacking in Christmas cookies this year (where did the time go??). It's too late for holiday baking this year but I hope it's not too late to wish you a Happy New Year! GREG

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Gerlinde
1/15/2019 09:17:55 pm

Look at it from the bright side, you saved a lot of calories by not baking cookies. I went overboard this year and it shows ! A Happy New Year to you Greg.

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Kelly Anne Rothaermel link
1/16/2019 05:53:36 am

Now I am super hungry. Looks wonderful! Thank you for sharing!

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Gerlinde
1/16/2019 08:14:45 am

Thank you for commenting Kelly!

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Frahi link
1/21/2019 06:19:15 am

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season, Gerlinde! Mine was pretty hectic, but it did include two weeks off from work, a much needed respite! Happy belated New Year!

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Gerlinde
1/21/2019 07:46:31 am

My holiday season was special this year because of the visitors from Germany. It was a lot of work and planning. A Happy belated New Year to you Frahi. I am unable to link to your website,

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Mackay Sherry link
1/25/2019 03:25:00 am

Your cookies 🍪 look delicious. Happy new year to you. Cheers sherry

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Gerlinde
1/25/2019 11:13:00 am

And a Happy New Year to you Sherry

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Andrea link
2/4/2019 09:03:33 am

Liebe Gerlinde, it certainly looks as if you made absolutely delicous sweet treats for Christmas and Advent season - I had already marveled at your creations on instagram and fb. Lebkuchen are the best cookies, ever and your version looks like an utterly delicious one!
Thank you for posting your festive recipe! One can never have too many Lebkuchen recipes, that's for sure!
Ganz liebe Grüße - auch Anfang Februar erfreuen mich deine Lebkuchen...Andrea

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