LEBKUCHEN WITH HONEY†

(LEBKUCHEN MIT HONIG)

    3/4   cup honey

    1/2   cup water

    1/2   cup sugar

3          large eggs

    1/4   teaspoon nutmeg

    1/2   teaspoon ground cloves

1  1/4   teaspoon cinnamon

    1/4   teaspoon almond extract

3          cups flour

1  1/4   teaspoons baking powder

    1/2   cup hazelnuts (ground)

1  1/2   teaspoons flour

4          oz. orange peel (diced)

4          oz. citron (diced)

Glaze:

1          cup powdered sugar

1  1/2   - 2 tablespoons milk

Place orange peels and citron in a bowl, sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons flour over it, mix well and set aside.  Place honey in a saucepan and warm, stirring continuously.  Once warm add the 1/2 cup water and stir until it boils.  Pour into a large bowl and let it sit until cold.  Beat eggs with a fork and pour into the cold honey mixture.  Add spices (nutmeg, ground cloves, cinnamon and the almond extract) and stir until mixed well.  Stir in 3 cups flour, baking powder, hazelnuts, orange peels and citron.  Spread mixture on a greased cookie sheet (10” X 15” X 1”) and bake in a preheated oven at 350° for 30-35 minutes.  Take out of the oven and let it sit 5-10 minutes.  Cut into small squares or rectangles.  Glaze:  Stir powdered sugar with the milk into a glaze and brush over each cookie.  Let the cookies cool completely and place them in a closed container.  Let them sit at least 2-3 days to allow the flavor of the spices to meld together.

Makes approximately 70-80 cookies