Introduction

Few scents evoke the true spirit of Christmas like the warm, complex spices of Lebkuchen. These traditional German cookies are the heart of the holiday season, known for their unique chewy texture, rich honey flavor, and vibrant, warming spice blend.

If you thought you had to miss out on this classic because you’re baking gluten-free, think again! This recipe captures the authentic flavor and soft, slightly chewy texture of true Lebkuchen, all without any gluten. Topped with a simple, sweet sugar glaze, these cookies are perfect for holiday trays and make beautiful gifts.

❤️Recipe Summary

This recipe relies on a few traditional Lebkuchen secrets: plenty of honey for chewiness, almonds for structure and flavor, and the critical Lebkuchengewürz (spice mix). Unlike many GF cookies, this dough does not need to be rolled out; it is traditionally dropped or pressed into rounds, making it incredibly easy to prepare. Just mix, bake, and glaze!

Ingredient Notes:

• Honey: Use a robust, flavorful honey. Honey is crucial for providing the moistness and characteristic chewy texture of Lebkuchen.

• Lebkuchengewurz: This is the special German spice blend. If you can’t find it pre-mixed, you can easily make your own using a mix of cinnamon, cloves, allspice, cardamom, ginger, and nutmeg.
• Almond Flour (or ground almonds): This replaces much of the wheat flour and provides the wonderful, subtle nutty flavor and essential structure needed for a gluten-free cookie.
• Gluten-Free Flour Blend: Use a GF all-purpose blend that contains xanthan gum. You won’t need much, as the almond flour does most of the heavy lifting.

Candied Citrus Peel: This is traditional, providing little bursts of bright, zesty flavor. If you don’t like it, substitute with finely grated orange or lemon zest.

A Note From My Kitchen

When adapting classic, complex recipes like Lebkuchen to be gluten-free, the goal is always to respect the original texture and flavor profile. Because Lebkuchen naturally relies heavily on sticky syrups (honey/molasses) and ground nuts, it’s one of the easiest traditional cookies to convert successfully. The nut flour and sticky honey provide the perfect binding agents, so the lack of gluten is barely noticeable!

How to Make Gluten Free Lebkuchen (Step-By-Step)

1. Melt Honey and Fat: Gently heat the honey, butter (or fat), and sugar until they are just melted together. Remove from heat and stir in the eggs.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the GF flour, almond flour, Lebkuchengewürz, baking powder, and salt.
3. Combine: Combine the wet and dry mixtures. The dough will be very sticky. Fold in the candied citrus peel and ground almonds.
4. Shape: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between them. Flatten them slightly into disks.
5. Bake: Bake until the cookies are puffed up and set. They should feel soft to the touch; they will firm up as they cool.
6. Glaze: While the cookies are still warm, brush or dip the tops into the simple sugar glaze. The glaze will set into a beautiful, opaque finish as the cookies cool comple.

Tips For Success

• Don’t Overbake: Lebkuchen are meant to be soft and chewy. If you bake them until they are hard, they will be dry. Pull them out of the oven when they still look slightly soft in the center.
• Warm Glaze: Apply the glaze while the cookies are still warm but not hot. This allows the glaze to adhere smoothly without melting away.
• Storage: Lebkuchen improves over time! Store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days before serving to allow the spices and honey flavor to fully mature.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Why is my dough so sticky? This is normal! Lebkuchen dough is meant to be sticky and soft due to the high honey content. Use a small cookie scoop or two spoons to drop it onto the baking sheet instead of trying to roll it.
• Where can I find Lebkuchengewürz? Check online or specialty spice stores. If you can’t find it, use a mix of equal parts cinnamon and cloves, with smaller pinches of nutmeg, cardamom, and allspice.

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Traditional Gluten Free Lebkuchen Cookies

Ingredients 1x2x3x

• 1/2cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 /1/2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 cup GF All-Purpose Flour Blend (with xanthan gum)
• 2 Tbsp Lebkuchengewürz (or spice mix)
• 1/2tsp baking powder
• 1/2tsp salt
• 1/2 cup ground almonds
• 1/4cup candied citrus peel, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Prep: Preheat oven to 350F 175C. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Wet Ingredients: Cream the softened butter, brown sugar, and honey until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract.
3. Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond flour, GF flour blend, Lebkuchengewürz, baking powder, and salt.
4. Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Fold in the ground almonds and citrus peel. The dough will be sticky.
5. Bake: Drop the dough by rounded tablespoon onto the prepared sheets. Gently flatten slightly. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
6. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
7. Glaze: While the cookies are still warm, prepare the glaze by whisking the powdered sugar and milk/juice until smooth. Brush or dip the tops of the cookies into the glaze.

Glaze

1. Whisk powdered sugar and liquid (milk or lemon juice) until smooth. Adjust liquid amount until the glaze is thick but spreadable.
2. Brush or dip the cookie tops while they are still warm.

Notes

• The Lebkuchengewürz is essential for authentic flavor. Don’t skip it!
• For a beautiful, smooth glaze, ensure the powdered sugar is lump-free before mixing.

SPECIAL NOTE

This is a naturally no-chill dough! You can mix the ingredients and bake them immediately, making holiday baking much faster.

Nutrition

(Note: This nutritional analysis is an estimate for one cookie, assuming 24 total cookies from the recipe, including the simple sugar glaze.)

Nutrient	Amount per Serving (Estimated)
Calories	165 kcal
Protein	3 g
Fat	8 g
Saturated Fat	4g
Carbohydrates	21 g
Fiber	1 g
Sugar	14 g
Cholesterol	25mg
Sodium	70 mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

All nutritional information provided is an estimate based on third-party calculators and assumes 24 equal servings. Values may vary significantly depending on the specific GF flour blend, the type of sweetener (honey) used, and the thickness of the glaze applied. This information is for general guidance only.