Sunday 22 May 2011

Lebkuchen - German Gingerbread


Lebkuchen translates as gingerbread. Lebkuchen are usually made during Christmas in Germany but hey I felt like doing these this morning and nothing goes better with a good mug of coffee :) Oh the house smells so good this morning. They are very quick and easy to prepare and bake...and eat!!! You can decorate these with almond slivers, cover them with melted dark chocolate or even drizzle with an icing glaze but we like ours plain. Give them a go and I am sure you will bake them again!!! You will need...
  • 250g plain flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 85g butter
  • 200ml clear honey
How to...
  1. Put the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and spices in a bowl and combine.
  2. Put the honey and butter in a medium pot and heat slowly until all butter is melted. Add the dry ingredients to the butter/honey mixture and stir well until you get a smooth stiff dough.
  3. Put into a small bowl and set aside until cool.
  4. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  5. After the dough has cooled down a bit, make 3cm across balls (about 45g each) and flatten them with your hand. Place the Lebkuchen on a greaseproof paper lined tray and bake in the oven for about 15 minutes until risen and brown.
  6. Put them on a wire rack to cool down completely. This process will magically turn them into wonderful and delicious delights which crispy on the outside but with a very soft cake-like centre.
  7. Serve with coffee or tea.
Enjoy!!
R&A

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