Lebkuchen

Lebkuchen
These cookies contain candied fruit and chopped almonds, and are let to dry overnight before baking. Please note that this recipe calls for leaving the cookies out at room temperature overnight to dry before baking. You will want to skip this step if you have health concerns, just to be on the safe side. Simply roll, cut out, then bake. They are brushed with a boiled sugar icing while they are still warm.

Cookies:	3 c flour
1/2 c honey	1 t cinnamon
1/2 c molasses	1 t allspice
3/4 c brown sugar, packed	1 t nutmeg
2 eggs	1 t cardamom
4 oz. candied fruit, chopped fine	1/2 t baking soda
1/2 c almonds, chopped fine	1/2 t salt
Boiled Sugar Icing:
1 c sugar	1/2 c water

For Cookies:

Place honey and molasses in small saucepan. Bring to a boil and let cool. Place in bowl and add in the sugar, eggs, candied fruit and almonds. Sift the dry ingredients together, then stir this into the wet ingredients. Let dough rest for an hour at room temperature before rolling out. Roll out dough to about 1/4 inch thick, and cut out with desired shapes. Place on wax paper, and let cut out shapes dry over night. Using offset spatula, transfer to baking sheet, and bake in a 350°F oven for about 10 to 12 minutes.

For Boiled Sugar Icing:

Place sugar and water in small, heavy saucepan and bring to boil. Wash down sides if necessary and continue to cook until candy thermometer reaches 235°F. Use this hot icing on warm cookies. Let set on cookies and cool completely before serving.