Lebkuchen: the authentic German honey cake recipe

Lebkuchen is a traditional German cake that is full of sweet spices, walnuts, dates and raisins. It is baked as a traybake, and has a sweet glaze poured over it soon after cooking, which gives a lovely finish. This cake is great on a winter’s day with a hot cup of good coffee and friends to share it with.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F/160C/gas mark 4. Line a 15x10x1-in. baking pan with parchment paper.

Step 1

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350F/160C/gas mark 4. Line a 15x10x1-in. baking pan with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.

Step 2

Step 2

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.

Add the 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 and gradually add to creamed mixture and beat well. Stir in walnuts.

Step 3

Step 3

Add the 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 and 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.

Step 4

Step 4

Place raisins, dates, lemon peel, coconut, orange peel and pineapple in a food processor; pulse until chopped.

Press down into prepared pan.

Bake 25-28 minutes or until lightly browned.

For glaze, in a small saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat; whisk in confectioners' sugar. Spread over warm bars.

Step 5

Step 5

Stir into batter.

Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Cut into slices when completely cold.