Lebkuchen

Name: Lebkuchen
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 3 dozen.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, softened; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/3 cup packed brown sugar; 2 large 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 allspice, cardamom and cloves; 1/2 cup ground walnuts; 1/2 cup raisins; 1/2 cup pitted dates; 1/2 cup candied lemon peel; 1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut; 1/4 cup candied orange peel; 3 tablespoons candied pineapple; GLAZE:; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/4 cup water; 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

It's tradition for my family to make these German treats together. The recipe came from my great-grandmother's cookbook, and judging from the amount of requests I get, it has certainly stood the test of time.—Esther Kempker, Jefferson City, Missouri

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 large 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 allspice, cardamom and cloves
1/2 cup ground walnuts
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup candied lemon peel
1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/4 cup candied orange peel
3 tablespoons candied pineapple
GLAZE:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 15x10x1-in. baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in molasses, buttermilk and extract. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, allspice, cardamom and cloves; gradually add to creamed mixture and beat well. Stir in walnuts.
Place raisins, dates, lemon peel, coconut, orange peel and pineapple in a food processor; pulse until chopped. Stir into batter; press into prepared pan. Bake 25-28 minutes or until lightly browned.
For glaze, in a small saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil; boil 1 minute. Remove from heat; whisk in confectioners' sugar. Spread over warm bars. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

Originally published as Lebkucken in Country Woman Christmas 2007