Lebkuchen (Spice Bars)

Submitted by Shawnee TX

• Ready In: 15mins
• Ingredients: 16
• Yields: 4 dozen bars
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon allspice, Ground
• 1⁄4 teaspoon clove, Ground
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 2 1⁄4 cups flour, Unbleached, Unsifted
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 cup almonds, Ground
• 1 teaspoon lemon, rind of, Grated
• 2 large eggs
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 3⁄4 cup honey
• 1⁄2 cup milk

• ALMOND GLAZE

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon rum
• 1 tablespoon water

directions

1. Stir together the spices, salt flour, and baking powder.
2. Stir in the almonds and lemon rind.
3. In a separate bowl beat the eggs and sugar until a ribbon is formed when the beater is removed.
4. Stir in the honey and milk.
5. Gradually stir in the flour mixture; beat until smooth.
6. Spread the batter in an 11 X 17-inch jelly roll pan that is well greased and floured.
7. Bake at 400 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes, until the cake is done.
8. While the cake is still warm, turn it out onto a wire rack.
9. To make the almond glaze, mix the confectioners' sugar, almond extract, rum, and 1 to 2 T of water.
10. Beat until glaze is smooth and of the right consistency.
11. Add more water to thin if neccessary.
12. Spread the warm cake with the almond glaze.
13. Cut cake into 1 X 2 1/2-inch bars while still warm.
14. Spice bars keep 6 to 8 weeks in a sealed container if not glazed.

Reviews

[Karsten Ballueder]

Pretty similar to German Lebkuchen, although the consistency is a little different. For a German far from home with no easy access to the real thing, this recipe is just what's needed for Christmas.

 

[Lisa Hainline]

I have made this numerous times, double and triple the recipe and it's always a hit! My German friends said it's quite authentic,too. I do make more glaze than the recipe calls for and add some of the ground almonds to glaze as well for decoration. Sometimes, I also add lemon extract when I don't have a real lemon in the house and it works perfectly. A real winner and so delicious!