Honey Cookies (Lebkuchen)

Spicey cakey type cookies.

2 cups honey
8 oz brown sugar
5 cups flour
1Tablespoon each: allspice, nutmeg, cardamon, cinnamon, ground cloves
1 t ginger and mace
1 lemon zest (whole lemon, save juice)
1 cup chopped Hazelnuts
1 T baking soda
1 T baking powder
1 T almond extract
lemon juice, plus 1 t lemon extract
1/4 cup brandy
1 cup crystallized ginger chopped (and raisins and cherries or other dried fruit)

Heat the honey and sugar until sugar has melted (approximately 1 minute in the microwave. Add juice of lemon and etracts to the honey after it cools a little. Measure the dry ingredients into a large ming bowl. Add liquid ingredients, mixing well. Add warm water as necessary. Stir in 1 cup of chopped giner, 1/2 cup raisins and any other dried fruit. Dough will be very sticky. Roll dough on floured surface, shape into a non stick pan. Dump it back out of the pan, and flip it, so the flat side is up. Brush with cold water. Decorate with sliced almonds. Let it sit covered for 24-36 hours. Bake at 355 degrees for 15 minutes or so until toothpick comes out clean. 13X9 inch pan usually works.
When it is out of the oven, brush with a sugar glaze (1/2 cup milk, 1 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 T butter, melted together. Don't boil)
Store in an airtight container for 2 weeks with a sliced apple. Then it is ready to eat.
Makes 36 bars. Or cut into 1/4 inch slices (makes about 40).


Number of Servings: 32

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user AUNTRUTH1.