ISO: Lebkuchen Biscuits/Cookies

[Sylvia]

My DH returned from his German Class today with a couple of nice German biscuits/Cookies, (still don't know the USA equivalents) I would call them cookies, definitely not biscuits. I've trolled the web and can't find one that sounds similar. They were soft, but with a certain crispiness, tasted of spices, mostly cinnamon and they had a chocolate base.

I did find this recipe, but there definitely wasn't any raisins or nuts and I don't think this recipe will give the same results:

"Lebkuchen

4 each egg
1 lb brown sugar
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
3/4 cup raisins
3/4 cup nuts, chopped
3/4 cup wine
1 *or:
3/4 cup coffee

Beat the eggs well. Add sugar, cloves and cinnamon. Sift flour three
times, add the baking powder and sift into the egg mixture
alternately with the wine (or substituted coffee). Mix nuts and
raisins together and sprinkle with 2 Tbsp of flour. Add to mixture
and beat thoroughly. Pour batter in flat, greased pans and bake at
400-F about 15 minutes.

Source: Pennsylvania Dutch Cook Book - Fine
Old Recipes, Culinary Arts Press, 1936.

Servings: 1 servings"

I would appreciate any help or suggestions.

Sylvia446

[Chris in NM]

Hi Sylvia,
Here is the one! Chris

Lebkuchen Cookie Mix From Germany

www.nancys-kitchen.com/November-online-newsletters/november-15-2005.htm

(28 servings)
3 c All-purpose flour
1 1/4 ts Nutmeg; ground
1 1/4 ts Cinnamon; ground
1/2 ts Baking soda
1/2 ts Cloves; ground
1/2 ts Allspice; ground
1 Egg
3/4 c Brown sugar; packed
1/2 c Honey
1/2 c Dark molasses
1/2 c Almonds; slivered
1/2 c Candied fruits and peels, fi ely chopped
Lemon glaze, optional (recip follows)

Stir together the flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, soda, cloves and allspice. In a large mixer bowl, beat the egg; add brown sugar and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Stir in honey and molasses. Add dry ingredients to molasses mixture; beat until the mixture is well combined. Stir in almonds and fruits and peels. Cover; chill for several hours. On floured surface, roll dough into a 14" square. Cut into 3 1/2 x 2" rectangles. Place 2" apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake @ 375 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes or until done. Cool cookies about 1 minute; remove to wire rack. While cookies are warm, brush with the Lemon Glaze, if desired.

Lemon Glaze for Cookies
(1 servings)
1 Egg white; slightly beaten
1 1/2 c Powdered sugar; sifted
1/2 ts Lemon peel; grated
1 ts Lemon juice
Dash salt

Combine egg white, powdered sugar, lemon peel, lemon juice, and dash salt; beat well.

[Sylvia]

Thanks Chris,

The biscuits/cookies are resting as I write. The lemon glaze was not on the offerings from the German tutor, there was chocolate on the bottom of hers, but your recipe sounds even better.

Sylvia446

[suehorne5892]

Sylvia: I am wondering if this is similar to biscotti?? the ones that I love have a chocolate topping with almond flavoring and bits of almonds....really good with coffee or tea. What do you think?
Sue in NC

[Chris in NM]

I don't think this recipe is close to biscotti. It is more like a "fruit cake" cookie. The Germans use these ingredients in several different cookies. These will be softer. How were yours, Sylvia?

[Sylvia]

Hi Chris,

The cookies were and are excellent! I am planning to melt some chocolate and using a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off, I plan to zig zag some chocolate over some of the remaining ones.

The DH and I have started having Saturday brunch out at the Tea Shoppe attached to our Grocery Co-op. I took a few into Helen the lady who does the cooking and baking. I'll know her thoughts if she asks me for this recipe too.

Thanks again for the recipe.

Sylvia

[suehorne5892]

Hi Sylvia....was wondering how the German cookies/biscuits turned out..I'm busy this weekend preparing for T'giving and now have the biscotti on my mind - will probably make some for my down time - was wondering if you had an recipe that you would recommend. Thanks!
Sue in NC

[Sylvia]

Hi Sue,

These Lebkuchen cookies are good. I'm sure the biscotti biscuit recipe that I've got was one of your own recipes. I have placed an oat crunchie recipe on the Scottish Board. Mainly because as we are all pulling our belts in - I'm trying to find easy, but more importantly cheap biscuits/cookies.

Regards to all.

Sylvia446