Description
Magenbrot is a traditional German Christmas cookie, known for its soft, cake-like texture and warming spices. These chocolatey, spiced cookies are often sold at German Christmas markets and are coated in a sweet glaze.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (150g) sugar
- ⅓ cup (80ml) water
- ⅓ cup (80ml) milk
- ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter
- ¼ cup (60g) honey
- 2 tablespoons (30g) molasses
- 2½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (50g) ground almonds (or hazelnuts)
- ¼ cup (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, milk, butter, honey, and molasses. Heat over medium heat until butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Let cool to lukewarm.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ground almonds, cocoa powder, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom, and salt.
- Pour the cooled liquid mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until a soft dough forms.
- Cover the bowl and let the dough rest at room temperature for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Divide the dough into 3 or 4 portions. Roll each into a log about 1 inch thick. Place logs on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, until just firm but still soft in the center. Let cool slightly, then cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces.
- Prepare the glaze by combining ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup water, and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Toss the warm cookies in the glaze until coated. Lay them on parchment paper to dry completely.
Notes
- Dough improves in flavor if left to rest overnight before baking.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for several weeks.
- You can substitute hazelnuts for almonds if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 2 hours resting time)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cookies
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
