Lebkuchen Spice Bars
Infused with the warm spices of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger, these Lebkuchen Spice Bars are a cozy, festive treat perfect for the holiday season—or any time you crave something sweet and comforting. A German-inspired classic, these bars combine the richness of honey and brown sugar with the delightful textures of chopped almonds and candied orange peel, creating a balance of deep, warm flavors and bright citrus notes. Topped with a silky lemon glaze, each bar delivers a perfect blend of sweetness and spice. Quick and easy to make in just under an hour, these spiced treasures are ideal for holiday gifting, dessert tables, or indulging alongside a cup of coffee or tea. Indulge in this traditional recipe for a taste of European holiday charm!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cloves
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.25 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.75 cup honey
- 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 0.5 cup sliced almonds, chopped
- 0.5 cup candied orange peel, finely chopped
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the honey, brown sugar, and melted butter. Mix thoroughly until smooth.
Add the egg to the wet mixture and beat until well incorporated.
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
Fold in the chopped almonds and candied orange peel until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
While the bars are cooling, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and lemon juice until smooth.
Once the bars are completely cool, spread the glaze evenly over the top. Allow the glaze to set before slicing into 20 bars.
Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4212 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 136.1 g | 174% | |
| Saturated Fat | 65.7 g | 328% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 480 mg | 160% | |
| Sodium | 1542 mg | 67% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 722.7 g | 263% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 18.7 g | 67% | |
| Total Sugars | 461.5 g | ||
| Protein | 53.4 g | 107% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.7 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 457 mg | 35% | |
| Iron | 19.1 mg | 106% | |
| Potassium | 1186 mg | 25% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
