Name: German Christmas Cookies Lebkuchen Gingerbread Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 3 large eggs; 1 cup brown sugar, packed; 1/2 cup white granulated sugar; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon allspice; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 cup finely chopped nuts (walnuts or hazelnuts work best); 1 cup finely chopped candied fruit (like citron, orange peel, or mixed fruit); 1/2 teaspoon salt; Optional: icing sugar for dusting or glaze for drizzling

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There’s something magical about baking German Christmas Cookies when the air gets chilly and the lights go up. These Lebkuchen are warm, spiced, and a little chewy—the kind of treat you want to share over tea or sneak right off the cooling rack. They’re part of a long tradition of German Christmas recipes and bring that cozy, old-world charm right into your kitchen. I first made these with my grandmother, who didn’t measure anything (just a handful of this and a pinch of that), and somehow, they always turned out perfect. They’re a staple in many German recipes during the holidays, and I swear, they beat out even the fanciest desserts at the table. Whether you’re new to German Christmas food or just craving homemade christmas cookies that aren’t overly sweet, this recipe is your new December go-to. It’s also a great place to start if you’re dipping into German food recipes or looking for easy German recipes to bring to a cookie swap or serve up with mulled wine.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies) Recipe
3) Ingredients for Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies)
4) How to Make Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies)
5) Tips for Making Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies)
6) Making Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies) Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies)
8) Try these Dessert Recipes next!
9) Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies)
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Traditional German Christmas Cookies packed with warm spices, nuts, and candied fruit
Perfect holiday treat to enjoy with coffee, tea, or mulled wine
Easy recipe to make with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry
Great make-ahead cookie that gets better after a few days

2) Easy Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies) Recipe

I grew up thinking gingerbread only came in one form: hard cookies shaped like people with gumdrop buttons. Then I met Lebkuchen. These soft, chewy German Christmas Cookies flipped everything I thought I knew about holiday treats. They’re spicy, nutty, a little sticky, and packed with real flavor.

We don’t need any fussy ingredients here. You’ll find most of what you need already sitting in your pantry. And once you mix it all together and bake these beauties, the smell alone is worth it. Your kitchen will smell like a cozy holiday market in Nuremberg. You’ll want to curl up with a mug of something warm and sneak one straight off the tray.

This recipe fits perfectly into your collection of German Christmas recipes, especially if you’re looking for something beyond sugar cookies and fudge. If you’ve never tried making German food recipes at home, this is the easiest way to jump in. The ingredients are straightforward, and the results are always worth it. I’d even say these are one of the best easy German recipes you’ll come back to every year.

3) Ingredients for Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies)

Eggs: These help bind the dough and give the cookies a bit of lift. I use three large ones and beat them until light and fluffy for the best texture.

Brown Sugar: Adds richness and depth. It gives the cookies their signature chew and caramel notes.

White Granulated Sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps lighten the overall taste. This helps the edges get just the tiniest crisp.

All-Purpose Flour: Nothing fancy. Just enough to hold the cookies together without making them too dense.

Ground Cinnamon: The backbone of that warm, nostalgic flavor. Cinnamon makes it unmistakably holiday.

Ground Cloves: Strong and aromatic, cloves add that bold, spicy kick that sets Lebkuchen apart.

Nutmeg: Adds a gentle warmth that rounds everything out. Freshly grated if you’ve got it, but pre-ground is fine too.

Allspice: A subtle blend of flavors in one spoonful. Think of it as the backup singer that makes the lead shine.

Baking Soda: This keeps the cookies soft and airy rather than flat and dense.

Salt: A small amount brings everything together and keeps the sweetness from overwhelming the spices.

Chopped Nuts: I use walnuts or hazelnuts. Chop them fine so every bite gets a little crunch and toast them first if you want an even deeper flavor.

Candied Fruit: A blend of citron, orange peel, or mixed fruit works great. Chop it finely so it blends easily into the dough.

Optional Glaze or Powdered Sugar: For those of us who like a little extra on top, either will add a lovely finish.

4) How to Make Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies)

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Trust me, parchment saves clean-up time.

Step 2: In a large bowl, beat the eggs, brown sugar, and white sugar together until the mixture is fluffy and light in color. It should look like you whipped air into it.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, salt, and all the spices. Stir them until the color looks even and the scent makes your kitchen feel like December.

Step 4: Slowly add the dry mix to your egg mixture. Stir gently until combined. No need to overmix—just enough to pull it together.

Step 5: Fold in the nuts and candied fruit. This is where the magic happens. Your dough should look chunky but sticky.

Step 6: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto your baking sheet. Space them about 2 inches apart. They’ll spread slightly, but not too much.

Step 7: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. They’re done when the edges are set and the centers spring back lightly to the touch.

Step 8: Let them cool on the sheet for five minutes, then move them to a wire rack. If you’re using glaze or powdered sugar, now’s your time.

5) Tips for Making Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies)

Use fresh spices. This may sound obvious, but that jar of cloves from five years ago? Probably not doing you any favors. Fresh spices make your German Christmas Cookies shine.

Chop your fruit and nuts small. It helps with even distribution and keeps every bite balanced. Big chunks can make the cookies look uneven and bake a bit oddly.

Don’t skip the resting time. If your dough feels too sticky, let it sit for a few minutes before scooping. This helps everything bind and makes it easier to handle.

Watch the bake time. Overbaking dries them out. You want chewy middles, not crunchy rocks. Trust your nose—when the kitchen smells like warm spice and sugar, they’re probably ready.

6) Making Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies) Ahead of Time

One of the best parts of this recipe is how well it holds up over time. These cookies taste even better a few days after baking. The spices settle, the flavors mellow, and the texture becomes perfectly chewy.

If you want to bake ahead, you’ve got options. You can make the dough a day or two early and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just let it come to room temp before scooping, or it might be too stiff to work with.

You can also bake the cookies completely and store them in an airtight tin. Just keep them away from moisture and direct light. They’ll stay good for up to two weeks, which is great if you’re prepping for a holiday party or cookie exchange.

7) Storing Leftover Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies)

If you’ve got leftovers—lucky you. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll keep for about two weeks and actually get better with age.

Stack them with wax paper or parchment between the layers to avoid sticking. If they get a little firm, you can microwave one for about 8 seconds. That soft center comes right back.

These German Christmas Cookies are also freezer-friendly. Freeze them in a zip-top bag, and when the mood strikes, let them thaw at room temp for a soft, spiced treat that still tastes fresh.

8) Try these Dessert Recipes next!

9) Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies)