German Lebkuchen with Chocolate Glaze

 
Lebkuchen is a traditional German Christmas cookie invented by Catholic monks in the 14th Century. We tried to recreate the flavors of lebkuchen in this cake and hope you enjoy it!   

 

 

The Cake 🎥

YOU WILL NEED

GINGER CAKE MIX
WET INGREDIENTS

3 large eggs (about 189g, weighed with shell) 
⅔ cup mild extra-virgin olive oil (134g)
½ cup milk (120g)
¼ cup honey (90g)
2 tablespoons nut brandy or apple juice
1 tablespoon peeled, finely grated ginger

STIR-IN

⅓ cup hot water (80g)
¾ cup finely chopped hazelnuts or walnuts (90g)  
¼ cup finely chopped candied citrus peel

INSTRUCTIONS
  • Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 9 or 10-inch tube pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. If using a Bundt pan, apply a baking spray made with flour.
  • Beat eggs at high speed for 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy. With the mixer still running, gradually add the olive oil in a thin drizzle and beat until thick and creamy.
  • Add the milk, honey, nut brandy, grated ginger and ginger cake mix, then mix on low speed for one minute until just combined.
  • Stir in the hot water, chopped nuts and citrus peel; mix until well combined.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 50-55 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool in baking pan for 5-10 minutes before unmolding.

 

The Glaze 

YOU WILL NEED

INGREDIENTS

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped (6oz, 170g)
¼ cup butter (57g)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

INSTRUCTIONS
  • Place chopped chocolate and butter in a bowl set over a pot of hot water.
  • Stir until smooth.
  • Stir in vanilla extract.
  • Pour glaze all over cool cake and allow to set, about one hour.
  • White sugar glaze option: Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons brandy or lemon juice or a combination of both. Pour over cooled cake and allow to set.

 

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Tips & Methods

Baking Tips

  • Preheat your oven to 325ºF.
  • Grease the recommended pan and line it with parchment paper.
    If using a Bundt pan, apply a baking spray made with flour.
  • For best results, weigh all ingredients and bring them to room temperature.
  • Don’t open the oven door until the cake has set, unless the recipe instructs you to do so.
  • Your cake is done when it begins to shrink from the sides of the pan, springs back when touched or when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  • Let your cake cool for 5-10 minutes before taking it out of the pan.
  • Cooled plain cakes (without frosting or pastry cream) can be double-wrapped first in cling film, then in aluminum foil and refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months.
    To defrost a frozen cake, simply place the wrapped cake in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
  • Store plain or glazed cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or up to a week in the refrigerator.
  • Store frosted cakes and cakes baked with pastry cream in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Olive Oil Cake Method

  • Pre-heat your oven to 325ºF.
  • Grease the recommended cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
    If using a Bundt pan, apply a baking spray made with flour.
  • In a separate bowl, beat room temperature eggs at high speed for 3-5 minutes, then add mild extra virgin olive oil in a slow, steady drizzle until thick and creamy.
  • Add remaining wet ingredients and the cake mix to the egg mixture and mix until combined, stopping to scrape down the bowl. Do not overmix.
  • Gently mix stir ins into batter until well combined.
  • Scrape batter into prepared pan(s) and sprinkle with toppings.
  • Bake immediately following the guidelines in the recipe. Cool in baking pan for 5-10 minutes before unmolding.
  • Cool cake completely before frosting.

Vegan Olive Oil Cake Method

  • Pre-heat your oven to 325ºF.
  • Grease the recommended cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
  • Stir all wet ingredients together.
  • Place cake mix in a large bowl. Slowly add the liquid blend to the cake mix while mixing with a hand-held whisk until well combined.
  • Mix stir ins (nuts, berries, chopped fruit, chocolate chips etc.) into batter until just blended.
  • Scrape batter into prepared pan(s) and sprinkle with toppings (e.g. sliced almonds)
  • Bake immediately following the guidelines in the recipe.
  • Cool in baking pan for about 10 minutes before unmolding.
  • Cool cake completely before frosting.