German Lebkuchen Bars (German Honey Cakes)

by Melanie
(Trenton, NJ)

5 cups sifted all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 cups finely-chopped almonds
1/2 cup chopped candied citron
1/2 cup chopped candied orange peel
2 cups honey
2 cups granulated sugar
4 Tbsp. whiskey(your choice)or you can omit this
3 eggs well beaten
Milk Frosting (see below)

Preheat oven to 375. Lightly butter 10x15 baking pan

In large bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, cloves, cinnamon, almonds, citron, orange peel and set aside

In double boiler, combine honey, sugar and whiskey and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each, add to flour mixture and mix until well blended.

Spread batter onto prepared ban. Bake approximately 18 to 20 minutes or until toothpick come out clean and they are light brown. Remove from oven and place on rack to cool.

While the Lebkuchen is still hot, spread the frosting onto the top with a spatula. Let cool, cut into bars and remove from pan. Store. Flavor will mellow.

Milk Frosting

1 cup powdered sugar
1 to 1 1/2 tblsp. milk

In small bowl, combine sugar and enough milk to make frosting easy to sparead.