German Gingerbread "Lebkuchen" (2024)

FAQs

What does Lebkuchen mean in German? ›

Lebkuchen (pronounced leyb-koo-kuh n) is a centuries-old German spiced treat traditionally baked during the winter holiday season. While lebkuchen is often translated to English as gingerbread, it's not exactly what most Americans envision when they think of gingerbread.

Lebkuchen is a type of gingerbread traditionally made in Germany. There are many different varieties of Lebkuchen, with different specialties in different regions, but they are typically made with honey and spices.

Lebkuchen bakers were recorded as early as 1296 in the city of Ulm and in 1395 in Nürnberg (Nuremberg). The latter being the most famous exporter today of the product that is known as Nüremberger Lebkuchen (Nürnberger Lebkuchen).

Lebkuchen, a delectable German gingerbread, has a rich history steeped in tradition, dating back centuries. Originating in the medieval monasteries of Franconia, these spiced treats have evolved over time, becoming an integral part of German holiday festivities.

Lebkuchen dough is usually placed on a thin wafer base called an Oblate. This was an idea of the monks, who used unleavened communion wafer ingredients to prevent the dough from sticking. Typically, they are glazed or covered with very dark chocolate or a thin sugar coating, but some are left uncoated.

Pfeffernusse and lebkuchen are both similarly flavored with honey and lots of warm baking spices but pfeffernusse are almost always small, rounded cookies coated with a powdered sugar glaze, while lebkuchen may be shaped like regular cookies or cut in bars and are generally glazed with chocolate.

Our Chocolate Covered Lebkuchen are popular with a certain crowd, but some folks don't like the nuts and spices in these traditional German gingerbread cookies.

For more than 90 years, Nuremberg's Lebkuchen-Schmidt has been the world's leading mail-order provider of exquisite Gingerbread and pastry specialities.

Grasmere Gingerbread Shop | The World's Best Gingerbread. Victorian cook Sarah Nelson invented Grasmere Gingerbread® in 1854 in the English Lake District village from where it gets its name.

Origin, History & Fun Facts

But the sweet delicacy was already known thousands of years ago. The ancient Egyptians gave their kings honey cake to take to the grave, and the delicacy was also appreciated in ancient Greece where soldiers were given it to strengthen themselves.

What do you drink with Lebkuchen? ›

I would recommend a Gewürztraminer which has a very spicy flavour and goes well with the Lebkuchen. Also a red wine like a Dornfelder or a Pinot would fit perfectly. Marzipan is very sweet so I would like a dry Riesling with it!

Well, the great thing about authentic Nuremberg Lebkuchen is, they are made without wheat, oil or butter - their main ingredient is NUTS! Yep, a whoooole bunch of them. And by golly, nuts are packed with some serious healthy goodness!

In Germany, when you think of Christmas, you think of Nuremberg Lebkuchen, the city's famous gingerbread. These sweet and spicy treats have been baked for more than 600 years and are loved by young and old alike.

noun. leb·​ku·​chen. ˈlāpˌküḵən. plural lebkuchen. : a Christmas cookie usually made with honey, brown sugar, almonds, candied fruit peel, and spices.

Lebkuchen refers to German gingerbread, while herzen means heart! These hearts are adorned with names or sweet sayings similar to Valentine's cookies, and given to loved ones. For even more fun, the cookies are strung with ribbon and can be used as decoration or worn around the neck.

Other variations of this term include “Schatz”, “Schatzilein”, “Schätzchen”. In the German language, schatzi is used in a similar way that we use English words “darling,” “sweetie,” "sweetheart," or “honey."

"Oblaten" are thin wafers. Oblaten Lebkuchen are cookies in which the dough is baked on a thin wafer. Historically, this was done to prevent the cookie from sticking to the cookie sheet.