German Lebkuchen Bars Recipe, Whats Cooking America (2024)

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Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

40 mins

Author: What's Cooking America

German Lebkuchen Bars:

• 5cups all-purposeflour,sifted
• 1 1/2teaspoonssalt
• 1 1/2teaspoonsbaking soda
• 1teaspooncloves,ground
• 1teaspooncinnamonground
• 2cupsalmonds,finely chopped
• 1/4cupcandied citron,finely chopped*
• 1/4cupcandied orange peel,finely chopped
• 2cupshoney
• 2cups granulatedsugar
• 4tablespoonsbourbonor whiskey
• 3eggs,well beaten

Milk Frosting:

• 1cuppowdered sugar(confectioners' sugar)
• 1 to 2tablespoonsmilk

German Lebkuchen Bars Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly butter an approximate 12" x 17" x 1" baking pan. I have found that lining the baking pan with parchment paper, allowing it to overhand on all sides, makes for an easier removal of the bars when cut.

2. In a very large bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, cloves, cinnamon, almonds, candied citron, and candied orange peel; set aside.

3. In the top of a double boiler over hot water, combine honey, sugar, and whiskey; stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let mixture cool a little until just slightly warm.

4. Add the beaten eggs, a little at a time, beating well after each addition; add to flour mixture and mix until well blended.

5. Spread batter onto the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with the back of a large spoon or rubber spatula.

6. 
   Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and they are light brown.

7. Remove from oven and place on a wire cooling rack.

8. While Lebkuchen bars are baking, prepare the Milk Frosting.

9. While the Lebkuchen is still hot, spread the prepared Milk Frosting onto the top of the baked Lebkuchen with a spatula or a pastry brush. Let the Lebkuchen cool completely. Cut into bars, and remove from pan.

10. Store, tightly covered, at room temperature to let mellow. These cookies get even better with age (if you can wait to eat them). Ideally you should allow them to age for 1 to 4 weeks (or even longer).

Milk Frosting Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and enough milk to make frosting easy to spread.