Holiday Recipe: German Cookies

Try this delicious German cookie recipe and impress family and friends with your international baking flair. Enjoy traditional German cookies, known as lebkuchen, and complement them with hot cocoa or tea in front of the fire. Make the cookies to munch on during a holiday party, or pack them for lunch as a special treat at school.

Gather the ingredients, put an apron on and bake this scrumptious German holiday cookie recipe:

Combine the honey and molasses in a medium saucepan and heat until the mixture begins to boil. Remove the mixture from the heat and add the brown sugar, egg, lemon juice and orange juice. Stir the mixture thoroughly. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Next, add the molasses and honey mixture to these dry ingredients and mix thoroughly to make the mixture smooth. Last, add the candied citron and finely chopped hazelnuts. Cover the dough and store it in the refrigerator overnight.
 
 The next day, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease each cookie sheet. Lay down a small dusting of flour to avoid stickiness. Ideally, the dough should be at a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Use an old Christmas tree cookie cutter to really make these cookies fit the season. Bake the German Christmas cookies for 10-12 minutes. For the icing, combine the confectioner's sugar and milk in a small saucepan over low heat. Brush a glaze over each cookie while still warm.
 
 Enjoy the frosted treat—the result of one of the best German cookie recipes! Store the lebkuchen in airtight containers for a few nights before the holiday party. Savor the deliciously sweet, spiced taste and family favorite and remember to keep one of the best German cookies recipes in your recipe box for next year!

Ready to plan your own holiday party? Get started with one of our favorite Christmas party invitations.