Right to Left: Chocolate-Frosted Lebkuchen, Honey-Ginger Bourbon Balls
Lebkuchen are holiday favorites in Germany. The dough is traditionally baked on wafers called oblaten. You can find oblaten in some specialty food stores.
Ingredients
1
cup sugar
4
eggs
1-1/2
cups all-purpose flour
1
cup (6 ounces) ground almonds*
1/3
cup candied lemon peel, finely chopped
1/3
cup candied orange peel, finely chopped
1-1/2
teaspoons ground cinnamon
1
teaspoon grated lemon peel
1/2
teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2
teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4
teaspoon ground cloves
3
squares (1 ounce each) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1
tablespoon butter
*To grind almonds, place in food processor or blender. Process using on/off pulsing action until finely ground, but not pasty.
1. Beat sugar and eggs in large bowl with electric mixer at high speed 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, combine flour, almonds, candied lemon and orange peels, cinnamon, grated lemon peel, cardamom, nutmeg and cloves in another large bowl. Add egg mixture; stir until well blended. Cover; refrigerate 12 hours or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or grease and dust with flour. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or just until browned. Do not overbake. Remove to wire racks; cool slightly.
4. Meanwhile, combine chocolate and butter in small microwavable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 30 seconds; stir. Repeat as necessary until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Spread over tops of warm cookies. Let stand until glaze is set. Store in airtight container.
Click here for printable version
