Lebkuchen is German gingerbread spice. The doughnuts and the glaze on these Lebkuchen Star Doughnuts recipe contain Lebkuchen flavor. Lebkuchen spice is more complex than traditional American German gingerbread mix. The mix additionally contains cardamom, star anise, and coriander.
When I return to Germany at Christmas time, I take advantage of the availability of seasonal products in the supermarkets. Consequently, several packets of Lebkuchen spice, are tucked into my suitcase. I use these for baking the following December.
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One year, after returning to the States, I stowed the lebkuchen spice packets away. The following Holiday season, I couldn’t find them. Unfortunately, I was smack in the middle of creating a lebkuchen flavored recipe.
Making your Own Lebkuchen Spice
As a result, I found out how easy it is to make one’s own Lebkuchen spice. I quickly searched recipes on the internet and mixed it up myself. Thankfully, sometimes these small kitchen dramas create useful results. However, I still bring Lebkuchen packets back from Germany. I use them in baking as timesavers or give them away as gifts. Regardless, I am now secure in my own ability to create my own. A Lebkuchen spice recipe is included below the Lebkuchen Star Doughnut recipe at the bottom of this post. Alternatively, substitute your favorite gingerbread spice mix.
To form the Lebkuchen Star Doughnuts, cut with two same-shaped star cutters in different sizes. This technique works with any two same-shaped cutters of different sizes. For example, a Christmas tree or bell shapes. However, a small round cutter can create the centers of any shape you choose.
These Lebkuchen Star Doughnuts are lovely with the glaze alone. However, scatter sprinkles, quinns, or sparkle sugar over the tops for extra holiday glamour.
Lebkuchen Star Doughnuts
Ingredients
For the Lebkuchen Doughnuts:
- Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup water (105-115 degrees)
- 2 packages active dry yeast
- 1+1/2 cups lukewarm milk
- 2 tablespoons dark rum
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons lebkuchen spice *see recipe below
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- vegetable oil for frying
For the Lebkuchen Glaze:
- Ingredients:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon lebkuchen spice (Substitute Gingerbread spice)
- 4–6 tablespoons milk
- Holiday sugar decorations, glitter sugar, sprinkles, or whatever you like to decorate the doughnuts (optional)
Instructions
Make the Lebkuchen Doughnuts
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Dissolve yeast in the warm water in the bowl of your stand mixer.
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Add milk, rum, sugar, salt, Lebkuchen spice*, eggs, butter, vanilla, and 2 cups flour.
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Beat on low for 30 seconds with the paddle attachment, scraping the bowl if needed.
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Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.
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Stir in remaining flour until smooth.
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Cover and let rise until doubled, about an hour.
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Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper
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Turn dough onto floured surface and roll dough 1/2-inch thick.
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Cut with a floured doughnut cutter (I used a star cutter and then a small identical star cutter to create the hole in the centers).
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Place the cutouts on the parchment lined baking sheet.
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Cover and let rise again until doubled in size, 30-40 minutes.
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Heat vegetable oil in deep fryer to 350 degrees F and fry until golden brown, about 30 seconds on each side.
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Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels for a minute.
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Set them on cooling racks over the parchment lined baking sheets. Make sure the parchment is clean and free from crumbs.
Make the Lebkuchen Glaze
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Whisk in the powdered sugar and Lebkuchen spice until combined.
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If the glaze is too thick to dip the doughnuts into, thin it out by adding more milk one teaspoon at a time.
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Dip the doughnuts into the glaze and set them on cooling racks over parchment or foil-lined baking sheets. Sprinkle with the edible decorations.
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If you run out of glaze, scrape up the excess off of the parchment paper on the baking sheet and return it to the bowl.
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Let the glaze harden completely before serving.
Recipe Notes
*Lebkuchen Spice Recipe:
Ingredients:
▪ 2 tablespoons 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 ground anise
▪ 1/2 teaspoon ground star anise
Directions:
▪ Whisk all the ingredients together in a small bowl.
▪ Transfer to an airtight container.
Like these Lebkuchen Star Doughnuts? Try these other doughnut recipes:
