German Lebkuchen

This is something that I've been wanting to try for ages. Lebkuchen are the most Christmassy biscuit imaginable - they're a bit softer than gingerbread and bursting with festive spices and aromas. I finally got round to it this year as I needed a present for my Grandpa and of course, it had to be baked!

Traditionally, lebkuchen are covered with a white glaze but, since they're for a present and I wanted to add extra indulgence, I drizzled mine with white chocolate. The recipe is from my Great British Bake Off calendar so I think it's a BBC one.

Ingredients (To make about 30)

60g runny honey

100 black treacle

90g unsalted butter

25g muscovado sugar

300g self raising flour

1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tsp ground ginger

a grating of fresh nutmeg

1/2 tsp allspice

1/2 tsp ground cloves

a pinch of salt

1 medium egg

zest of an orange

100g white chocolate melted

Method

1. Melt the honey, treacle, butter and sugar in a pan then set aside to cool.

2. In a large bowl mix the flour, bicarb. and spices.

3. Then add the egg and the cooled sugary mixture.

4. Add the orange zest then mix thoroughly.

5. Form a ball then chill for about 10 mins.

6. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 5mm thick then cut out small shapes with a cutter.

7. Place onto a lined baking tray and bake at 180C for 12 mins.

8. Leave to cool on a wire rack.

1. Meanwhile, melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water.

2. Leave to thicken slightly then transfer to a piping bag with a VERY thin nozzle (I used a zip lock bag with the corner snipped off).

3. Drizzle over the biscuits then leave to set.

4. ENJOY! xxxx