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Lebkuchen

Lebkuchen
It's tradition for my family to get together on Thanksgiving weekend and bake these spice-filled treats. The recipe came from my great-grandmother.
36 ServingsPrep: 25 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup molasses
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 teaspoon anise extract
  • 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon each ground cloves, allspice and cardamom
  • 1/2 cup ground walnuts
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup pitted dates
  • 1/2 cup candied lemon peel
  • 1/3 cup flaked coconut
  • 1/4 cup candied orange peel
  • 3 tablespoons candied pineapple
  • GLAZE:
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
© Taste of Home 2013

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Lebkuchen (continued)

Directions

  • Line a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan with foil; grease the foil
  • and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add
  • eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in the molasses,
  • buttermilk and anise extract. Combine the flour, baking powder,
  • baking soda, cinnamon, salt, cloves, allspice and cardamom;
  • gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in walnuts.
  • In a food processor, combine the raisins, dates, lemon peel, coconut,
  • orange peel and pineapple in batches; cover and process until
  • chopped. Stir into batter. Press dough into prepared pan.
  • Bake at 350° for 25-28 minutes or until lightly browned. In a
  • small saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil. Boil for 1 minute.
  • Whisk in confectioners' sugar. Spread over warm bars. Cool in pan on
  • a wire rack. Yield: 3 dozen.
© Taste of Home 2013