LEBKUCHEN FROM GRANDMA†

(LEBKUCHEN VON OMA)

1   1/2   cups molasses

1          stick or 8 tablespoons butter or margarine

    1/2   cup sugar

    1/2   cup milk

4          cups flour

3          level teaspoons baking powder

    1/3   cup cocoa

1          tablespoon cinnamon

    1/2   teaspoon nutmeg

    1/2   teaspoon ground cloves

    1/2   teaspoon ginger

    1/4   teaspoon cardamom

    1/4   teaspoon coriander

2          eggs

2          tablespoons rum

    3/4   cup chopped almonds

    1/2   cup diced lemon peel (candied)

    1/2   cup diced citron (candied)

6          oz. semi-sweet chocolate

Line a cookie sheet (10” X 15” X 1”) with parchment paper making sure it up the sides and then set aside.  Place molasses, butter or margarine, sugar and milk in a pot and bring to a boil.  Set aside to cool.  Place flour in a large bowl and stir in baking powder, cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cardamom and coriander.  Add eggs, rum and cooled molasses mixture and beat with a mixer until well mixed.  Stir in nuts, lemon peel and citron.  Spread the mixture in the prepared cookie sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 375° for 15-20 minutes.  Melt chocolate and spread over the top.  Cut into small squares or rectangles while chocolate is still soft.  Decorate the top with an almond piece.

Makes approximately 80 cookies