Leckerli Cookies

These traditional Leckerli cookies are a festive favorite, combining warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with the bright zest of candied orange and lemon peel. The dough is enriched with honey and sliced almonds, creating a chewy, dense texture that is both comforting and indulgent. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sophisticated accompaniment to afternoon coffee, these cookies offer a complex flavor profile that balances sweetness with aromatic spice. The final glaze adds a delicate shine and a subtle crunch, while decorative candied cherries and angelica make them visually stunning.

Cooking Method: Baking

Cuisine: Global

Courses: Desserts

Difficulty: Advanced

Servings: 4

Calories: 1110.7

Dietary: Vegan

Description

These traditional Leckerli cookies are a festive favorite, combining warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with the bright zest of candied orange and lemon peel. The dough is enriched with honey and sliced almonds, creating a chewy, dense texture that is both comforting and indulgent. Perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sophisticated accompaniment to afternoon coffee, these cookies offer a complex flavor profile that balances sweetness with aromatic spice. The final glaze adds a delicate shine and a subtle crunch, while decorative candied cherries and angelica make them visually stunning.

Directions

1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
Combine honey and sugar in a small saucepan.
3
Heat slowly over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the honey thickens slightly and the sugar dissolves completely.
4
Remove from heat and allow the honey mixture to cool slightly.
5
In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
6
Add sliced almonds, candied orange peel, and candied lemon peel to the dry ingredients; mix until coated.
7
Add the cooled honey mixture, egg, and kirsch (or orange juice) to the flour mixture.
8
Stir with a wooden spoon until the ingredients are blended.
9
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead with the palm of your hand until the mixture cleans the sides of the bowl and forms a cohesive dough.
10
Shape the dough into a ball and flatten slightly.
11
Place the dough between two sheets of wax paper and roll it out into a 13x9 inch rectangle, approximately 1/4-inch thick, keeping the edges as even as possible.
12
Remove the top sheet of wax paper.
13
Flip the dough onto a lightly greased cookie sheet.
14
Carefully peel off the second sheet of wax paper.
15
Brush the top of the dough lightly with milk.
16
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
17
While the cookie bakes, combine granulated sugar and water for the glaze in a small saucepan.
18
Cook the glaze mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches 235°F (113°C) on a candy thermometer, about 5 minutes.
19
Remove the baked cookie sheet from the oven and place it on a wire rack.
20
Trim the uneven edges of the baked cookie.
21
Quickly brush the warm Leckerli with the hot sugar glaze.
22
Decorate immediately with candied red cherry halves and angelica leaves.
23
Allow the glaze to harden and turn white.
24
Once cool, cut the Leckerli into 2-inch squares.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4 servings

Amount Per Serving
Calories 1110.7kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 30.5g47%
Saturated Fat 3.5g18%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 709.4mg30%
Total Carbohydrate 183.2g62%
Dietary Fiber 15.2g61%
Sugars 48.9g
Protein 25.1g51%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/leckerli-cookies/