Nürnberger Lebkuchen - Vegan and Fat Free!

These are a traditional German treat for Christmastime. As for this variation on the goodie, I don't know how authentic it is, but vegan and fat free - really, who wants to second-guess that?! I found it on FatFree.com.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 40
• Yields: 40 cookies

Ingredients

• 1  cup honey
• 1⁄4 cup applesauce
• 1  teaspoon lemon rind, grated
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3⁄4 cup brown sugar
• 1  tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 3⁄4 cups flour
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
•  slivered almonds, for decoration (optional)

• GLAZE

• 1  cup sugar (optional)
• 1⁄2 cup water (optional)
• 1⁄4 cup powdered sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Mix honey, sugar, eggbeater, lemon juice and rind. Blend dry ingredients separately.
2. Stir the wet into the dry. Chill overnight.
3. When ready to cook, heat the oven to 400 degrees.
4. Roll out a small amount of dough at a time to a 1/4 " thick log. Cut into 2" rounds.
5. Place each cookie round on a nonstick cookie sheet, and place a slivered almond in the center if desired.
6. Bake about 12 minutes, or until set.
7. Immediately brush with glazing icing, if desired:
8. boil sugar and water until the first indication of a 'thread' appears as it thickens (around 230 degrees).
9. Remove from heat and stir in the powdered sugar. Bush this lightly over the cookies (when the icing gets sugary, reheat slightly, adding a little water until clear again).