Lebkuchenherzen/Wiesnherzen (German Gingerbread Hearts)
These German Gingerbread Hearts made with homemade gingerbread spice are decorated with loving messages are passed out at Oktoberfest, Volksfeste and German Christmas Markets. Make sure your loved one won't be going home without one!
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 15 min
- Yield
- 10 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
- 185 g butter
- 570 g honey
- 250 g sugar
- 1 tbsp gingerbread spice
- 30 g cocoa powder
- 1200 g all-purpose flour
- 1 pinch baking powder
- 2 eggs
- 1 pinch salt
- 200 g powdered sugar
- 1 egg white
- food coloring (if desired, to make different icing colors)
Instructions
- 1
Heat butter, honey, sugar, cocoa powder and gingerbread spice in a pot over medium heat. As soon as it turns into a cohesive mixture, remove the pot from the stove and allow to cool.
- 2
Sift flour and baking powder into a bowl, add salt, eggs and honey mixture and knead for about 15 minutes.
- 3
Cover the dough in plastic wrap and allow to cure for half a day at room temperature (if you’re in a hurry, skip this step).
- 4
Before baking, make sure you create holes with a small round cutter or the end of a straw for the ribbon to go through.
- 5
Bake in a preheated oven at 200 Celsius / 390 Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes.
- 6
For the icing, combine all ingredients, then add more egg white or powdered sugar to achieve a thick, pipeable icing consistency. Fill into piping bag and get creative with different words and sayings.