German Lebkuchen

Ok, here it is, a great German cookie recipe.  I must confess, this is no family recipe, it came out of a cookbook.  Never the less, They are spicy and delicious! They taste like a mild form of gingerbread cookies.

1 1/2 cups butter, softened

3/4 cup honey

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

2 tablespoons grated lemon zest

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 cups flour

2 tablespoons cocoa

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon allspice

1 teaspoon cloves

1 teaspoons ginger

1/4 teaspoon cardamom

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Icing

1 1/4 cups sifted confectioners sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon water (I used more)

For cookies, cream butter, honey and sugar in a large bowl. Add egg, lemon zest and vanilla.  Beat until smooth.  In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa, spices, baking powder and baking baking soda.  Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture.  Stir until soft dough forms.  Divide dough into fourths and wrap in plastic wrap and chill overnight or until firm enough to handle.  

Preheat oven to 350.  On a lightly floured surface, use a floured rolling pin to roll out one fourth of dough to 1/4 thickness.  Use a 3 1/2 inch cookie cutter to cut out cookies. ( I used a star)  Transfer to a lightly greased baking sheet.  Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.  Transfer to wire racks to cook.

For icing,  combine ingredients and stir until smooth.  Spoon icing into a pastry bag with a very small round tip.  Pipe desired decorations onto cookies.  Allow icing to harden.  Store in an airtight container.

Yields about 3 dozen cookies.

Guten Appetit!

-Queenie Cuisine