Lebkuchenherzen / Lebkuchen Hearts

Directions

Lebkuchenherzen / Lebkuchen Hearts

1. In small sauce pan, heat butter, honey, sugar, stirring frequently until fully dissolved and mixed. Do not allow to boil. Remove wet mixture from heat and cool to room temperature.
2. In a mixing bowl, mix cocoa powder, salt, Lebkuchengewürz, and baking powder together until fully mixed. Set aside dry mixture.
3. In a stand mixer (or a big bowl with an electric mixer, pour wet mixture into bowl. Gradually add in dry mixture allowing to combine. You can mix this a bit more to allow it to further cool. Add 1 beaten egg and mix to incorporate.
4. Slowly add in flour, mixing well as you are adding. Mix until it is firm and pulls away from the sides of the mixer bowl and forms into a loose ball.
5. Remove from mixing bowl. You can form it into 2 balls for easier handlings. Wrap ball(s) in plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for 6-8 hours.
6. Preheat oven to 350° (F).
7. Using a floured cutting board and rolling pin, roll dough out until it is 1/4 inch thick. Add small amounts of flour to cutting board and rolling pin as required to keep the dough from sticking.
8. Cut cookies. If you want to add a ribbon to hang your cookies, make 2 small holes for the ribbon.
9. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place cut cookies on the parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
10. Beat 2 egg yolks to form a glaze.
11. Lightly brush glaze on to each cookie.
12. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 mins.
13. Fully cool cookies before decorating.
14. Decorate fully cooled cookies with Lebkuchen Icing (see recipe) or other decorations. Be creative. Have fun. Add ribbons if you would like.

Lebkuchengewürz / Lebkuchen Spices

1. Mix all ingredients together. If they are not already ground, grind them with a spice grinder
2. Store in a sealed, airtight jar or container.

Lebkuchen Icing

1. Beat egg whites thoroughly
2. Add sugar and cream of tartar to egg whites and beat on medium speed until peaks form (do not over beat)
3. Add food coloring if desired and lightly fold in.
4. Refrigerate as needed to get desired consistency.

From the Dahoam1516 recipe collection · Hans Diehl