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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.

Servings:

Makes about 30 cookies

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons (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
• 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 oven to 350°F (180°C). Line two 11x17-inch cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Put butter, molasses, and corn syrup into a small pot and heat just until butter melts.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, spice mix, baking powder, and salt.
4. Stir butter mixture into dry ingredients, mixing well.
5. Add eggs one at a time, stirring until well mixed.
6. Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop spoonfuls onto cookie sheets, leaving 2 inches between the cookies. Press lightly with your fingers to form each into a disc.
7. Bake 15 to 20 minutes. 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 powdered sugar with about 3 tablespoons water and stir until smooth.
9. Dip half the cookies into the chocolate and half into the white icing. Top with nuts to decorate.

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11.17.2021 revision update