The Best Traditional German Christmas Cookie Recipes

What would Christmas be, if there wasn't Christmas cookies? Christmas cookies have been around from ages. Lebkuchen, a tradition German Christmas cookie, take similar to the gingerbread cookie. Leckuchen is believed to have been created by medieval monks. I fact there are historical documents that verify that Lebkuchen bakers have been around for a very long time. The first recorded document was created in1296. For more information of the history of Lebkuchen Christmas cookies please visit http://germannotes.com/travel/germany.php?products_id=288 . I have listed some of our favorite traditional German Christmas cookie recipes below. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do, and perhaps start a new tradition of baking German Christmas cookies with your family.

Lebkuchen - Traditional German Christmas Cookie

2 Cups Brown Sugar
2 Cups of Honey
2 Cups Light Molasses
2 Cups of Sour Cream
2 Tablespoons of Shortening
1/2 Cup of Citron
10 Cups of Flour
2 Tablespoons of Baking Soda
1 Tablespoon of Cinnamon
1 Tablespoon of Cloves
1/2 Cup Diced Orange Peels
1/2 Cup Lemon Peels
1 Cup of Slivered Almonds

On a low setting mix and warm brown sugar, honey, molasses, and shortening together. Do not let the mixture come to a boil. After mixture is mixed well, set it aside, and let cool.
Next add the sour cream, and baking soda, and mix well. Once mixed allow mixture to set for 30 minutes.
Now add the rest of the ingredients to the mix. (Citron, Flour, Cinnamon, Cloves, Orange & Lemon peels, and Slivered Almonds) Once all the ingredients are mixed, place the mixture in a cool place, and allow it to set overnight, or for 8 hours. The refrigerator is fine, if your home is warm.
Note: The dough is very sticky, do not add extra flour. Only use enough flour to cover your work space.
Finally roll the dough out 1/4 inch thick. Using a small round cookie cutter, or small glass (shot glass works great) cut small circular shapes out of the dough. Bake cookies at 350 degrees for 15 minutes on a greased cookie sheet.
Once cookies are done cooling you can dust them with powered sugar for a more decorative look.

Peffernuts:

1 Cup Shortening
2 Cups of White Sugar
1 Tablespoon of Ground Cinnamon
A Pinch of Black Pepper
1/2 Cup of Butter Milk
2 Teaspoons of Baking Soda
1 Teaspoons of All Spice
1 Teaspoon of Cloves
1/2 Teaspoon of Nutmeg
1 Cup of Molasses
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
5 Cups of Flour
8 Drops of Anise Oil (optional)

First Cream the shortening, and sugar together.
Next add the molasses, buttermilk, ground cinnamon, black pepper, all spice, cloves, nutmeg, salt, and anise oil to the mixture, and mix well.
Now add the flour, and baking soda. Once again mix well.
Your dough will be very thick. Place the dough in a large container and let chill for 24 hours in the refrigerator.
Once the dough has been chilled, divide the dough into workable sized pieces. ( In half usually works fine)
Next form the dough into rolls or logs that are approximately 1 inch in diameter.
When your logs are done, using a sharp knife, cut cookies approximately 1/2 inch thick.
Finally bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes on a greased cookie sheet.
These cookies once cooled off will be very hard. However, they melt in your mouth!

Easy To Make German Christmas Cookies

2 Pounds of Flour
3 Eggs
1 Lemon (Juiced)
1 Lemon Rind
1 1/4 Cup of Powered Sugar
1/4 Pound of Almonds (blanched)
1 Pound of Butter

Cream butter, and add sugar, almonds, lemon juice, and lemon rinds to the mix.
Next beat the eggs well in a separate bowl.
Now add beaten eggs, and flour to the mixture.
Let mixture set overnight or for 8 hours in the refrigerator.
Now form the dough into small balls, and flatten with your hands.
Note: Round cookies should be about 1/2 inch thick, and all the same size for even baking.
Bake for 350 degrees until the cookies are lightly tan. This takes approximately 8 minutes.

Your family will certainly all 3 of these cookies!