Merken Spiced German Lebkuchen cookies are turned into festive skewers with dried fruits and nuts, making for a playful and holiday-inspired dessert that's sure to delight family and guests alike.
I first made these Lebkuchen cookie skewers for our annual winter party, and they quickly became the star at the dessert table. The cheerful mix of chewy cookies, sharp orange zest, and colorful fruit brought out smiles and plenty of compliments.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g)
- Ground almonds: 1 cup (100 g)
- Brown sugar: 2/3 cup (130 g)
- Honey: 1/4 cup (60 g)
- Unsalted butter, softened: 1/4 cup (60 g)
- Large eggs: 2
- Lebkuchen spice blend (or 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp ground cloves, 1/2 tsp nutmeg): 2 tsp
- Baking powder: 1 tsp
- Salt: 1/4 tsp
- Zest of 1 orange:
- Dried apricots: 1/2 cup
- Dried cranberries: 1/2 cup
- Whole blanched almonds: 1/2 cup
- Candied orange peel: 1/2 cup
- Wooden skewers: 12
Instructions
- Prepare for baking:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream mixture:
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and honey until light. Add eggs one at a time, beating well.
- Add flavors:
- Stir in orange zest.
- Combine dry ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, ground almonds, Lebkuchen spices, baking powder, and salt.
- Form dough:
- Gradually add dry mixture to the wet ingredients until a sticky dough forms.
- Shape cookies:
- With lightly floured hands, roll tablespoon-sized balls. Flatten gently onto baking sheet about 1/2-inch thick.
- Bake and cool:
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, until golden. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Assemble skewers:
- Gently insert a wooden skewer through each cookie. Alternate threading with dried apricots, cranberries, almonds, and candied orange peel for a festive look.
- Repeat and serve:
- Continue until all skewers are made. Serve on a platter for holidays.
Merken My kids love helping thread the cookies and fruit, turning dessert prep into a joyful family activity every season.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls, hand mixer or stand mixer, baking sheet, parchment paper, wire rack, and wooden skewers are needed for smooth preparation.
Allergen Information
This recipe contains wheat, eggs, tree nuts, and dairy. Dried fruit and nuts may include other allergens depending on packaging.
Nutritional Information
Each skewer contains about 210 calories, 8 g fat, 32 g carbohydrates, and 4 g protein.
Merken These Lebkuchen cookie skewers are bound to add cheer to your holiday table—serve them with warm drinks or tuck them into edible gift baskets for a sweet surprise.
Fragen rund um das Rezept
- → What gives Lebkuchen cookies their signature flavor?
A blend of spices—including cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg—and orange zest creates their distinctive warm flavor.
- → Can I use other dried fruits for the skewers?
Absolutely; dried figs, cherries, prunes, or any favorite mix work well scattered among the cookies.
- → How do I prevent cookies from crumbling when skewered?
Allow cookies to cool completely before inserting skewers and use a gentle, steady motion to avoid cracks.
- → What makes these skewers a great holiday dessert?
The combination of warm spices, festive presentation, and blend of crunchy, chewy textures makes them perfect for celebrations.
- → How long do assembled skewers stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container, skewer treats remain fresh for up to five days and retain their flavor.
- → Can I add chocolate or powdered sugar?
Yes; drizzle melted dark chocolate or dust with powdered sugar for extra sweetness and beautiful finish.