Print Recipe ♥ Save Recipe

Easy German Gingerbread Cookies – Oma's Lebkuchen Kekse

These German gingerbread cookies, or Lebkuchen, are such a traditional cookie to have for Christmas. They're so very easy to make, that there's no reason to buy them.

You don't need to buy the Lebkuchen spice mix, since we'll make our own here.

Ingredients:

For The Dough:

• 7 oz (200 grams) unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons (42 grams) molasses
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliter) light corn syrup
• 2¾ cup (358 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1⅓ cup (267 grams) packed brown sugar
• ½ package Lebkuchen spice or make your own by mixing ½ tablespoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon cloves,  ⅛ teaspoon each of mace, coriander, cardamom, ginger, and nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon (4 grams) baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon (1.5 grams) salt
• 2 large eggs

For The Glaze:

• 4 ounces (114 grams) bittersweet chocolate
• 1 tablespoon (14 grams) coconut oil
• 1 cup (125 grams) powdered sugar
• nuts to decorate, such as walnuts or halved almonds

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line two 11x17-inch cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Put the butter, molasses, and corn syrup into a small pot and heat just until the butter melts.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, lebkuchen spice mix, baking powder, and salt.
4. Stir the butter mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well.
5. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring after each one until well mixed.
6. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop spoonfuls onto the cookie sheets, leaving 2 inches between the cookies. Press down lightly with your fingers to form each cookie into a disc.
7. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Lebkuchen are done when the edges are firm, the bottoms are slightly darkened, and the tops spring back when gently pressed. They’ll firm up as they cool, so avoid overbaking. Remove to a wire rack and let cool.
8. To make the glazes, melt the chocolate and coconut oil in a small bowl (about 2 minutes in a microwave) and stir until smooth. In another bowl, mix the powdered sugar with about 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) water and stir until smooth.
9. Dip half the cookies into the chocolate and half into the white icing. Top with nuts to decorate.

*  *  *  *  *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

Updated on November 23, 2025