Spiced Orange Lebkuchen

🕒 Prep: 10 min
🔥 Cook: 15 min
🍽 Serves: 24
★★★★★
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Get ready to fill your kitchen with the warm, spicy aroma of Spiced Orange Lebkuchen, a delightful twist on a classic German treat. These cookies blend citrusy notes with traditional holiday spices, making them perfect for festive gatherings or cozy afternoons at home.

Ingredients for Spiced Orange Lebkuchen

The magic begins with all-purpose flour, providing the structure for our cookies. Baking powder and baking soda work together to give these cookies just the right amount of rise, while a blend of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg infuses them with warmth and spice. The creamy base of unsalted butter and brown sugar is sweetened with a touch of honey, adding depth and a hint of floral sweetness. Orange zest brings a refreshing citrus punch, complemented by the texture and flavor of chopped almonds and candied orange peel. Finally, the powdered sugar and freshly squeezed orange juice glaze adds a perfect finishing touch, both visually and taste-wise.

Tips & Tricks

  • For extra zest, finely chop the candied orange peel even more before adding it to the dough.
  • If you don’t have unsalted butter, reduce the added salt in the recipe to balance the flavors.
  • Let the cookies cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies are lovely paired with a spiced tea or chai to enhance the warm flavors. For a more decadent experience, serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. If you're hosting, a platter of these cookies with some fresh orange slices makes a stunning presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! They store well in an airtight container for up to a week and even freeze beautifully for longer storage.
What if I don't have candied orange peel?
You can substitute with additional orange zest for flavor, though you’ll miss out on some of the chewy texture.
Can I use other nuts instead of almonds?
Absolutely. Walnuts or pecans would make lovely alternatives, offering a slightly different flavor profile.

Spiced Orange Lebkuchen Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and preparing a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together your dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. This ensures all those wonderful spices are evenly distributed.

In a larger bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until they're light and fluffy. This might take a few minutes, but it’s worth it for that smooth texture. Then, beat in the honey, egg, and orange zest until everything is well blended.

Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. You’ll want to do this in batches to avoid flour clouds and to ensure a smooth dough forms. Once you have a cohesive dough, stir in the chopped almonds and candied orange peel. This is where the cookies get their delightful texture and flavor bursts.

Using a tablespoon, drop portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each. They’ll spread a bit as they bake. Pop them into the oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.

While your cookies are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice in a small bowl to create the glaze. It should be smooth and just thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Once the cookies are baked, let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up without sticking. Once cooled, drizzle the orange glaze over each cookie and let it set before serving.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Inviting combination of warm spices and refreshing orange zest.
  • Simple to make with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.
  • Perfect balance of chewy and crunchy with candied orange peel and almonds.
  • Beautifully glazed, making them an impressive addition to any dessert table.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 large egg
1 tbsp orange zest
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup finely chopped candied orange peel
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.
3. In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, then beat in the honey, egg, and orange zest until well combined.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
5. Stir in the chopped almonds and candied orange peel until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
6. Drop tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly golden around the edges.
8. While the cookies bake, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar and orange juice in a small bowl until smooth.
9. Once the cookies are done, let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Drizzle the orange glaze over the cooled cookies and allow the glaze to set before serving.

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