It would be impossible to avoid the festive treat that is Lebkuchen at the moment in Germany. It is everywhere, and I expect Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas here without it. From amazing high street window displays, to Christmas Market stalls piled high with the stuff – this gingerbread comes in so many different shapes and sizes! From the more historic rounds, squares and horses, to Father Christmases, reindeer, and of course the slightly more gaudy (but quite charming) big iced hearts that are also synonymous with Germany at bier fests and the like. I can understand the appeal, it’s pretty good stuff! Highly spiced and sweetened with honey, this is Christmas in a mouthful (I recommend it with a mug of hot gluhwein for fuelling a wander around a Christmas Market!)…
We have had a week in the sick house thanks to the usual end of term bugs, so I thought that making Lebkuchen with the children would fill an afternoon and cheer them up as they both love baking. We went for this recipe in the end, as it wasn’t overly complicated and they both had a ball making it (especially the squeezing almost a whole bottle of honey into the pan part, which appealed to the six year old having just read George’s Marvellous Medicine!)… The only casualty we had was a smashed jar of cinnamon, but at least the house smells festive now (and probably will do until the middle of next year!)…
If you make this I would turn the oven down slightly from the recommended temperature, as we ended up with a few gingerbread men (we like to diversify!) with slightly singed arms and legs, but on a lower temperature the second batch turned out fine…
We will be leaving Father Christmas a few of these this evening with a small mug of gluhwein (and both he and Mrs Christmas are looking forward to it!).
Happy Christmas everyone!
Lebkuchen! I am jealous! Enjoy!
Nearly all gone now thank goodness. I feel like I am turning into one great big Lebkuchen! :)
Looks and sounds yummy. Think I might try that recipe even though it’s now Boxing Day. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas xx
Let me know if it turned out OK! We did thank you, and still enjoying the few days off! Hope you had a wonderful time and hope to see you in Munich at some point in 2012! xxx
Have a wonderful first Christmas in Germany. xxx
Thank you Rachel xxx
i’ve seen lebkuchen at the german christmas market in leeds, and they look so festive! love the little hearts, and strangely enough, i’ve been browsing for a cookie recipe for ‘messy play’ today – and this is it!
The only bit I had to supervise them with was melting the butter and honey, but once it had cooled down, they were in their element! Have fun! Happy Christmas! Emma :)