Soft Glazed Lebkuchen Bars (German Spice Bars)

Fragrant, chewy, warmly spiced, and finished with a shiny lemon-sugar glaze — just like classic German Lebkuchen but baked into easy bars.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour

• 1 cup (200g) brown sugar

• 1 cup (100g) ground almonds or ground hazelnuts

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1 ½ tbsp Lebkuchen spice blend* (or see homemade blend below)

• Pinch of salt

Wet Ingredients

• 2 large eggs

• 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted

• 1/4 cup (60ml) honey

• 1/4 cup (60ml) molasses (or extra honey if you don’t want molasses)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Zest of 1 orange (optional but traditional)

Mix-ins (optional but delicious)

• 1/2 cup finely chopped candied orange peel

• 1/2 cup finely chopped almonds/hazelnuts

• 1/4 cup raisins or chopped dates

Glaze

• 1 ½ cups (180g) powdered sugar

• 2–3 tbsp lemon juice or milk (for a softer, whiter glaze)

• 1 tsp vanilla (optional)

Instructions

1. Prep

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Line an 8×8 inch or 9×9 inch square pan with parchment paper.

2. Make the Batter

1. In a large bowl combine:

   • flour

   • brown sugar

   • ground nuts

   • baking powder

   • baking soda

   • spice blend

   • salt

2. In another bowl whisk:

   • eggs

   • melted butter

   • honey

   • molasses

   • vanilla

   • orange zest

3. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture.

4. Fold in optional mix-ins.

5. Batter will be thick — this is normal. Spread evenly into the pan.

3. Bake

• Bake 18–22 minutes, or until the top is set and lightly golden.

• Do not overbake — Lebkuchen should stay soft.

4. Glaze

1. While the bars are still warm, whisk powdered sugar + lemon juice.

2. Pour over the warm bars and spread evenly.

3. Let cool completely, then cut into bars (your photo style).

Lebkuchen Spice Blend (Homemade)

If you don’t have a mix:

• 2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp ground cloves

• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

• 1/2 tsp allspice

• 1/2 tsp cardamom

• 1/2 tsp ginger

• Optional: pinch of ground star anise

Mix together and use 1 ½ tbsp in the recipe.

Storage

• Stays soft for 1 week in an airtight container.

• Gets even better the next day (traditional Lebkuchen always improves overnight).

• Freezes beautifully for 2–3 months.

ENJOY