The Traditional German Christmas Cookie: Lebkuchen (2024)

FAQs

What is the Lebkuchen tradition in Germany? ›

Lebkuchen, a delectable German gingerbread, has a rich history steeped in tradition, dating back centuries. Originating in the medieval monasteries of Franconia, these spiced treats have evolved over time, becoming an integral part of German holiday festivities.

In Germany, when you think of Christmas, you think of Nuremberg Lebkuchen, the city's famous gingerbread. These sweet and spicy treats have been baked for more than 600 years and are loved by young and old alike. Orignial Nuremberg Elisenlebkuchen - a culinary delight!

Lebkuchen (pronounced leyb-koo-kuh n) is a centuries-old German spiced treat traditionally baked during the winter holiday season. While lebkuchen is often translated to English as gingerbread, it's not exactly what most Americans envision when they think of gingerbread.

Lebkuchen was invented by monks in Franconia, Germany in the 13th century. Lebkuchen bakers were recorded as early as 1296 in Ulm, and 1395 in Nürnberg (Nuremberg). The latter is the most famous exporter today of the product known as Nürnberger Lebkuchen (Nuremberg Lebkuchen).

What is Lebkuchen? Most dictionaries translate Lebkuchen as “gingerbread”, but that's not quite right. “Gingerbread-like”, perhaps. Consider it a rich, dry, soft biscuit pastry that traditionally uses plenty of honey and spices.

My favorite way to eat these cookies is warm, just out of the oven, no glaze or frosting required. The cookie has a nice fluffy texture (not hard like some gingerbread) and a deep, satisfying spicy flavor.

Dating back to the 14th century in Nuremberg, Germany, Elisenlebkuchen have stood the test of time as one of Germany's most popular and beloved of all Christmas treats! You'll fall in love with this authentic German Lebkuchen recipe!

The Lebkuchenherzen tend to be harder than normal Lebkuchen. It can be eaten obviously but, I know many tourists bought them as souvenirs wrapped up in cling wrap to be hung on walls.

I have kept mine in the fridge for up to 4 month... and live to pass the recipe on to you. WARNING TO THOSE WHO MAY NEED IT. The recipe uses hartshorn (bakers ammonia) and the dough will smell like it, both while resting and during baking. DON'T TASTE THE UNBAKED DOUGH.

Lebkuchen range in taste from spicy to sweet and come in a variety of shapes with round being the most common. The ingredients usually include honey, spices such as aniseed, cardamom, coriander, cloves, ginger, and allspice, nuts including almonds, hazelnuts, and walnuts, or candied fruit.

What is the wafer on the bottom of Lebkuchen? ›

"The cookies are baked on a thin, edible wafer called oblaten. Oblaten are crisp, white wheat wafers that are available in specialty food shops. If you do not have a specialty food shop that handles oblaten, check with a local religious supply house.

Our Chocolate Covered Lebkuchen are popular with a certain crowd, but some folks don't like the nuts and spices in these traditional German gingerbread cookies.

Like any other pastry, Lebkuchen is perfect with coffee or tea. But because of their spicy taste and nutty texture you may want to try them with a glass of wine and some grapes or figs - read about the wine pairing suggestions made by our friends at German Wines Canada.

The city is famous for it, which means that once the Christmas market opens, you can't swing a cat in this town without knocking over a display of it. Lebkuchen can of course be purchased all year round, and in fact, there was a whole Lebkuchen Week market set up in the middle of the city back in October.

For German Jews, Lebkuchen were good for Sukkot, because they were often made with fruit and nuts, foods symbolic of the harvest; they were good for Rosh Hashanah because of the honey; and Jews ate Lebkuchen on Hanukkah, during which time it was popular Christmas treat in Germany.

The gingerbread hearts decorated with sayings can be traced back to a Munich local: Gustav Teschernich. About 35 years ago he supplied the retailers at the Oktoberfest with his baked goods and is considered as the founder of the sweet Wiesn tradition. He and his wife also gave the Wiesn heart its typical shape.

Today, the ultimate Christmas gingerbread incarnation is of course the gingerbread house. It has been suggested that these edible structures originated in Germany between the 16th and 18th centuries. The trend for gingerbread houses must have spread to Britain at some point during the nineteenth century.

Given Germany has a culture of Christmas and festive baking, it's no surprise that it has a traditional plate full of goodies to enjoy in the lead up to Christmas. This sweet tradition is called a bunter teller, which translates to 'colourful plate'.