Classic Lebkuchen Spice Bars

Lebkuchen captures the heart of German holiday baking—warm spices, a touch of sweetness, and a cozy, festive aroma. These bars transform the classic flavors of gingerbread into an easy, sliceable dessert. Imagine cinnamon, cloves, and citrus filling your kitchen, finished with a bright lemon glaze that adds a gentle zing. Perfect for sharing at parties, gifting to friends, or enjoying alongside a cup of tea or coffee, these bars are a simple way to celebrate the season.

Spiced German-Style Lebkuchen Bars

Ingredients

For the Bars

Ingredient	Amount
All-purpose flour	2½ cups (315 g)
Baking powder	1½ tsp
Baking soda	¼ tsp
Ground cinnamon	2 tsp
Ground ginger	1 tsp
Ground cloves	½ tsp
Ground allspice	½ tsp
Salt	¼ tsp
Unsalted butter, softened	½ cup (115 g)
Dark brown sugar, packed	¾ cup (150 g)
Molasses (light or dark)	½ cup (170 g)
Eggs, room temperature	2 large
Orange zest	1 tbsp
Candied citrus peel (or raisins/cranberries)	½ cup
Chopped blanched almonds or walnuts	1 cup (120 g)

For the Glaze (Optional)

Ingredient	Amount
Powdered sugar, sifted	1½ cups (180 g)
Fresh lemon juice or milk	2–3 tbsp
Optional: Lemon zest	A pinch for extra brightness

Tips & Notes

• Candied peel is traditional; if skipping it, soak raisins in orange juice for 10 minutes.
• Avoid blackstrap molasses—milder varieties give a smoother flavor.
• These bars taste best after a day, allowing spices to mellow and the texture to soften.

Instructions

Step 1: Prep Oven & Pan
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan and line it with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter & Sugar
Beat softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add molasses, eggs, and orange zest, mixing until smooth.

Step 4: Combine & Fold
Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in candied peel (or fruit) and nuts.

Step 5: Bake
Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake 25–30 minutes, until edges are firm and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.

Step 6: Glaze (Optional)
Whisk powdered sugar with lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle over cooled bars and allow 15–20 minutes to set before slicing.

Serving & Storage

• Flavors deepen if allowed to sit 24 hours.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
• Freeze unglazed bars for up to 2 months; thaw and add glaze before serving.
• For gifts, wrap slices in parchment, tie with twine, and place in a decorative tin.