Lebkuchen Bars

Lebkuchen Bars

Lebkuchen bars are a German-inspired holiday treat made with fragrant spices, honey, nuts, and citrus. They bake into soft, chewy bars with a lightly crisp edge and a sweet glaze on top.

Ingredients

For the bars:

• ½ cup honey
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup finely chopped almonds or hazelnuts
• ½ cup finely chopped candied orange peel
• ½ cup finely chopped candied lemon peel

For the glaze:

• 1½ cups powdered sugar
• 2–3 tablespoons milk or water
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven and pan
   Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides.
2. Make the honey mixture
   Place the honey, brown sugar, and butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and let it cool for several minutes.
3. Add the eggs
   Whisk the eggs and vanilla into the cooled honey mixture. Make sure the mixture isn’t hot enough to cook the eggs.
4. Combine the dry ingredients
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
5. Make the batter
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the honey mixture, stirring just until combined. Fold in the chopped nuts and candied citrus peel.
6. Bake
   Spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.

   Avoid overbaking—the bars should remain soft and slightly chewy.

7. Make the glaze
   Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk or water, and vanilla until smooth. Add a tiny amount more liquid if needed to create a spreadable glaze.
8. Glaze the bars
   While the bars are still slightly warm, spread the glaze evenly over the top. Allow them to cool completely before cutting.
9. Cut and serve
   Lift the cooled slab from the pan and cut it into squares or rectangles.

Helpful Tips

• Toasting the almonds or hazelnuts before adding them gives the bars a deeper flavor.
• Fresh orange or lemon zest can be added for an extra citrus aroma.
• For softer, more flavorful bars, let them sit in an airtight container overnight before serving.
• Store completely cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for several days.