German Lebkuchen Christmas Cookies

German Christmas cookies
Lebkuchen is a German specialty cookie with many variations. It's favorite holiday treat of many people worldwide - including my family.
Ingredients
  • 1 lb. 10 oz. flour
  • 8 oz. sugar
  • 3 tsp. baking powder
  • 3 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. ground cloves
  • 1 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 2 tsp. lemon extract
  • 4 eggs
  • 4 tbsp. milk
  • 6 oz. butter
  • 9 oz. finely ground hazelnuts or almonds
  • 6 oz. candied citrus peel
  • Frosting:
  • 10 oz. dark chocolate
  • 1 package ready made icing sugar
  • frosting decorations
Directions
  1. Blend together in your blender, the eggs and the candied peel, to cut the peel into smaller chunks.
  2. Mix together the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Make a well in the center.
  3. Add the softened butter and the egg mixture in the center, along with the milk.
  4. Knead the dough from the centre, incorporating more and more of the flour mixture as you go along.
  5. Add a bit of flour or milk if the dough is not the right consistency for rolling out.
  6. Stand the dough for an hour before rolling out.
  7. Roll the dough to 1/4 inch thick, and cut out Christmas shapes. Place on a well greased baking sheet, and bake for10 - 15 minutes in a pre-heated oven - 380 F.
  8. Lift carefully from the baking sheet, and allow to cool on a rack.
  9. Frosting:
  10. Melt the dark chocolate over a double boiler. Spread the chocolate on 1/3 of the cookies. Decorate with sprinkles.
  11. Spread ready made frosting on 1/3 of the cookies and decorate.
  12. Leave the last 1/3 of the cookies plain.
  13. Store in an airtight container.
Additional Notes
These cookies can be made in large batches (we usually make 3 batches at a time), and they can be stored for up to 6 months if left unfrosted in an airtight container.