A German Christmas Classic Reimagined for Modern Holiday Baking

German holiday baking is famed for its warm spices, nostalgic aromas, and beloved festive treats. Among the most cherished desserts is Lebkuchen, a centuries-old gingerbread-like confection traditionally enjoyed during Christmastime. Today, we present the ultimate Lebkuchen Bars recipe, crafted to deliver the rich spice, citrus brightness, and soft chewy texture of classic German Lebkuchen, all in a convenient bar form that’s perfect for gifting, entertaining, and holiday baking marathons.

These soft, aromatic, spice-infused Lebkuchen Bars are enhanced with honey, warm cinnamon, zesty orange, toasted almonds, and a silky ginger-orange glaze that melts into the warm bars and sets into a glossy finish. With a straightforward preparation and long chill time to develop maximum flavor, these bars deliver unbeatable depth and holiday charm.

Below, we share our most comprehensive guide to making the perfect Lebkuchen Bars—a recipe designed for flavor, texture, and time-tested holiday enjoyment.

Why These Lebkuchen Bars Are the Ultimate Holiday Treat

Every element of this recipe is crafted to achieve a perfect balance of spice, sweetness, citrus brightness, and tender chewiness. Unlike traditional Lebkuchen cookies that can sometimes lean dry, our bar variation remains soft, moist, and delicately spiced, thanks to a honey-based syrup and slow flavor development during a long chill.

We use fresh orange zest, warming spices, and a glossy orange-ginger icing that soaks into the bars and transforms them into a fragrant, melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece. These bars also improve with time, making them ideal for holiday gifting and advanced preparation.

Ingredients for the Best Lebkuchen Bars

Dry Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger

Wet Ingredients & Flavor Enhancers

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Icing Ingredients

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Perfect Lebkuchen Bars

1. Prepare the Spiced Honey Syrup

In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, honey, granulated sugar, and unsalted butter. Warm over medium heat until the mixture reaches a gentle simmer, stirring until all sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat immediately to prevent caramelization. This warm syrup forms the flavorful backbone of the bars.

Allow mixture to cool before adding remaining wet ingredients—this prevents cooking the egg prematurely and ensures even mixing.

2. Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, sift together:

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground ginger

Sifting guarantees even spice distribution and prevents dense or tough bars.

3. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

Once the honey mixture has cooled, whisk in:

• Egg
• Fresh orange juice
• Orange zest
• Vanilla extract
• Sliced almonds

The almonds add a subtle crunch and authentic German texture.

Pour this mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. The dough will be thick and sticky—this is expected.

4. Chill the Dough for Maximum Flavor

Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the dough to prevent drying, then refrigerate at least 6–8 hours or overnight.

This slow rest is essential in traditional Lebkuchen making. It allows:

• Spices to deepen
• Honey to hydrate the flour
• Chewy texture to develop

Skipping this step reduces flavor complexity significantly.

5. Prepare for Baking

Remove dough from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment and lightly grease it.

Spread the sticky dough using a greased spatula, smoothing it into an even layer.

6. Bake to Soft Perfection

Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Do not overbake—Lebkuchen should remain soft and slightly springy.

7. Prepare the Orange-Ginger Icing

While bars are baking, whisk together:

• Powdered sugar
• Orange juice
• Fresh grated ginger
• Vanilla

This glaze should be silky and pourable, with no lumps. The ginger adds a subtle, warming bite that elevates the flavor profile beautifully.

8. Glaze the Bars

Cool the bars for 5–10 minutes, then pour icing over the warm surface. It will melt slightly and form a glossy coating that sets as the bars cool.

Let the bars rest at room temperature until icing is completely firm before slicing.

9. Storing and Serving Your Lebkuchen Bars

These bars are famously better after a couple of days, as the flavors deepen and the texture softens into a pillowy, aromatic chew.

To store:

• Keep in an airtight container
• Store at room temperature
• Enjoy for up to 7 days

For the best holiday results, bake them 2–3 days before serving or gifting.

Pro Tips for the Best Results

Use Fresh Spices

Strong cinnamon and ginger make the bars aromatic and bold. Avoid old or stale spices.

Don’t Skip the Chill Time

This step mimics the aging process of traditional Lebkuchen dough, developing flavor and softness.

Add Extra Mix-ins for Variation

Consider:

• Candied orange peel
• Chopped hazelnuts
• A pinch of nutmeg or cloves

Slice with a Hot Knife

Dip your knife in warm water and dry before slicing for clean, sharp bar edges.

Why Lebkuchen Bars Belong in Every Holiday Baking Collection

These bars are everything we love about the holiday season: warm, cozy, sweet, spicy, citrusy, nostalgic, and festive. They package beautifully, store well, and offer a flavor profile that stands out from typical Christmas cookies.

Whether you’re gifting them, serving them at a holiday dinner, or adding them to a cookie tray, Lebkuchen Bars bring Old World charm into your modern kitchen.