For the Lebkuchen Spice Blend

Elisenlebkuchen by Sophia R.

Photo by Sophia R

Author Notes: Growing up in Germany, gingerbread (which we call "Lebkuchen" in German) was a mandatory part of the annual Christmas cookie plate.

Makes 12 cookies For the Lebkuchen spice blend: • 20grams ground cinnamon • 1whole star anise, ground • 2grams ground ginger • 6cloves, ground • 2grams ground mace • 2grams ground coriander • 2grams ground cardamom For the Elisenlebkuchen: • 2eggs • 100grams granulated sugar • 160grams candied citrus peel, chopped very finely • 100grams ground almonds • 100grams ground hazelnuts • 4teaspoons Lebkuchen spice blend (from above) • 12Oblaten • 2 to 3tablespoons water • 125grams confectioners' sugar • 1handful blanched almonds, optional 1 Mix together all the ingredients for the Lebkuchen spice blend and set aside. 2 In a bowl, beat the sugar and the eggs until tripled in volume. Stir in the citrus peel, ground nuts, and spice blend until combined. Cover the bowl and place in the fridge to rest overnight. 3 Preheat the oven to 320° F (160° C), line a baking sheet pan with parchment paper, and place the Oblaten on the tray. 4 Using an ice cream scoop, place a scoop of the dough in the center of each Oblaten. Using the back of a wet spoon, knife, or spatula, flatten the dough evenly all around the Oblaten and to the very edge of the wafer (the dough will barely spread in the oven), trying to ensure that the dough is a little bit thicker in the center of the Oblaten and becomes thinner closer to the edge of the Oblaten. 5 Bake for about 18 to 20 minutes, or until the Lebkuchen are set but still soft in the middle and have barely started to brown around the edges. Leave Lebkuchen on the tray to cool down until they reach room temperature. 6 For the glaze, whisk 2 to 3 tablespoons of water into the confectioner's sugar until you have a thick but pourable glaze. Using a pastry brush, cover the Elisenlebkuchen with a thin layer of the glaze. Place the freshly glazed cookies on a cookie rack set atop some parchment paper to catch any excess glaze and wait for the glaze to harden. While the glaze is still soft, you can decorate the Elisenlebkuchen with some blanched almonds. Stored in a metal tin, the Elisenlebkuchen will keep for several weeks (and some argue they get even better with age, if you can resist eating them for that long!).