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Lebkuchen

Gingerbread, also known as honey cakes since young girls in the early 19th century would make these cookies to give to young men they were sweet on, at Christmas time. Still a favorite at Christmas, these cookies taste better with time.

type: refrigerator, formed
makes: 48

1-1/2 cups honey
1/2 cup butter
1-1/4 cups light brown sugar
5 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
pinch of salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup diced candied lemon peel
1/2 cup diced candied orange peel
4-1/2 cups ground blanched almonds
evaporated milk
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon water
2/3 cup almond slices
2/3 cup candied cherries, halved

To blanch almonds, place in boiling water for 30 seconds.
Rinse almonds with cold water and place in a clean tea towel.
Fold up the towel and rub vigorously to remove the skins of the almonds.
Place in a food processor to grind into a meal.
Bring honey, butter, and sugar to a boil stirring frequently.
Remove from heat and allow to cool.
Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice, cardamom, and salt.
Stir in the eggs, candied peels, and almonds.
Add the honey/butter mix to the flour/egg mixture.
Knead until well combined. More flour may be used if dough is too soft.
Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate 2-5 days.
Preheat oven to 350F.
Lightly grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
Roll out dough between two pieces of wax paper until 1/4" thick.
Carefully peel off the top layer of wax paper.
Cut out shapes and place on cookie sheets about 2" apart.
Brush cookies with evaporated milk.
Bake for 35-35 minutes.
Let cool on cookie sheet 5 minutes then transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar with water until the desired consistency is reached.
Pour icing over the top of cookies.
Decorate to tops of the cookies with the almond slices and candied cherries.

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