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Lebkuchan Cookies

This Christmas celebration we bring to you a traditional German Christmas Cookie, Lebkuchen Cookies.  Actually, it is referred to as a biscuit, but we americans refer to it as a cookie.  Lebkuchen cookies come in different flavors and shapes, most common the shape being brown and uses spices like citron, cloves, cinnamon, anise seed, walnuts, almonds, raisins, and candied fruit.

The recipe below is a family recipe shared by a gluten free friend who asked for it to be converted so they could enjoy it once again this holiday season.  I have never had the pleasure to taste this cookie before and was very delighted to have the opportunity.  The combination of the spices, walnuts, raisins and candied fruit made this soft, round cookie have a flavor that just screamed Christmas.  It was truly a perfect cookie to kick off our holiday celebration.

I also have a close friend who’s family heritage is German as well.  Her grandfather was a baker.  She has shared a few holiday recipes that her grandfather has passed along to her.  Later this month I will convert those and post them here too.  Do you have a suggestion for a holiday recipe you would like to see here?  Post your comments below.

Enjoy eating gluten free!

Lebkuchen Cookies
Ingredients:

2/3 cup honey
1 cup sugar
6 Tbsp. butter

1 egg
1/3 cup water

¼ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves

½ lb mixed candied fruit  (about 1 1/2 cups)
½ lb raisins (golden and brown)  (I just used golden)  (about 1 1/2 cups)
½ lb chopped walnuts  (about 2 cups)

4 cups Mama’s Almond or Coconut Blend Flour
2 tsp. xanthan gum

1/4-1/2 cup of Mama’s Almond or Coconut Blend Flour or just rice flour  (For rolling out)

Glaze:

3 cups powdered sugar
3-4 Tbsp. water  (add a little at a time)
1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium to large saucepan heat first three ingredients over medium heat until melted, then cool. Mix together eggs and water. Add the eggs and water to the cooled butter mixture.  Add salt, baking powder, cinnamon, and cloves. Stir in fruit, walnuts and raisins.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour and xanthan gum.  Mix together well.  Add the flour a little at a time, mixing by hand until the flour is all mixed in.  Generously flour your counter or pastry mat with flour. With generously floured hands, divide dough into three portions.  Sprinkle the top of dough with flour.  Roll dough out between 1/4 and 1/2 inch thickness.  Using a 2 inch cookie or biscuit cutter, cut out several circles of dough.  Place on baking sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart.  Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.  Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 1-2 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack.  Cool completely.

Glaze Directions:  Mix together powdered sugar, vanilla and 1 Tbsp. of water at a time until a glaze consistency is reached.  Spoon about 1 Tbsp. of glaze over cookies.  If desired garnish with a candied cherry.  Enjoy!

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