German gingerbread contains Lebkuchengewürz. Similar to the spices in American gingerbread, most German versions contain additional ingredients such as cardamom, star anise and sometimes, dried lemon and orange peel.
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon clove
For a festive serving option, use a small Holiday cutter (tree, star, etc.) to cut the cake into small portions.
Red Wine Lebkuchen Cakes
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1+ 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1+3/4 cups cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons lebkuchen spice
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 3+ 1/2 oz bittersweet chocolate
- 1 cup red wine any type
For the glaze:
- 1+2/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup red wine
Instructions
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Sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
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Chop or grate the bittersweet chocolate into very small pieces.
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Place the unsalted butter, firmly packed sugar, spices, freshly grated lemon, and orange zest in a mixer and beat on medium-high speed until creamy (about 3 minutes).
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Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Beat in the pure vanilla extract.
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Add the eggs one after the other, making sure each is incorporated fully into the batter before adding the next.
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Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
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Mix again to make sure everything is evenly combined.
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Turn the mixer speed down to low. Add half the sifted dry ingredients.
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Add the wine and then the rest of the dry ingredients.
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Mix in the chocolate.
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Preheat the oven to 400F.
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Grease an 8 x 12 pan and line with baking paper.
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Spread the batter out evenly into the pan.
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Bake for 25 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
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Transfer the cake to a cooling rack set up over a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Let cool completely.
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Whisk together the powdered sugar and red wine until it forms a smooth glaze.
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Pour the glaze onto the cake and use a rubber spatula to even it out over the top.
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When the glaze has dried, cut the cake into small pieces. Arrange on a platter and serve.
Lebkuchen Spice Recipe:
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon teaspoon ground anise
- 1/2 teaspoon ground star anise
Instructions
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Whisk all the ingredients together in a small bowl.
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Transfer to an airtight container.
Like this Red Wine Lebkuchen Cakes Recipe? Try some of these others:
LEBKUCHEN STAR DOUGHNUTS
LEBKUCHEN SPICE BROWNIES
LEBKUCHEN SPICE VODKA MARTINIS
