Lebkuchen

Ingredients

Base

• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) oil
• ½ cup (100 grams) brown sugar, packed
• ⅓ cup (113 grams) honey
• ⅓ cup (113 grams) molasses
• 2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp allspice
• ½ tsp cloves
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ⅛ tsp cardamon
• ⅛ tsp ginger
• ½ tsp (3 grams) baking soda
• ½ cup (55 grams) chopped almonds
• ½ cup (120 grams) mixed candied fruits and peels, finely chopped

Icing

• 1 egg white
• 1½ cups (188 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
• diced mixed candied fruits and peels and/or nuts for decorating

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a 15x10x1-inch rimmed cookie sheet.
2. Have icing and items for decorating ready to use as soon as the cake is baked.
3. In large mixing bowl, beat egg and oil. Add brown sugar and beat well. Add honey and molasses. Mix well.
4. Mix together dry ingredients: flour, Lebkuchen spice, and baking soda. Add flour mixture to egg mixture and beat till well mixed.
5. Stir in almonds and candied fruit and peel. Dough will be very thick.
6. Spread in prepared pan. Use back of spoon to spread, dipping spoon in water so that dough doesn’t stick to spoon.
7. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until done.
8. With a sharp knife, score into bars immediately upon removing from oven by just cutting through the top crust.
9. With mixer, in small bowl, beat egg white, powdered sugar, and lemon juice until smooth.
10. Spread icing sugar glaze over warm bars using a pastry brush. Decorate with candied fruit. Cool completely on wire rack.
11. Cut through completely at the score marks to cut into individual bars.