A Sweet Family Tradition: Elisenlebkuchen Recipe from Cheeky Food Events

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

At Cheeky Food Events, we are thrilled to send our warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas and a joyful festive season! In the spirit of the holidays, we'd like to share a delightful recipe with you, one that has been cherished in our family for generations. This sweet treat, dating back to the 14th century in Nuremberg, Germany, is known as Elisenlebkuchen. It's a festive favorite that has stood the test of time and continues to be a beloved Christmas treat. So, without further ado, let's dive into this delicious tradition!

A Family Legacy

Our culinary journey takes us back to a time when our grandmother, a remarkable cook, embarked on her own adventure. In 1939, she left Europe to escape the impending horrors of war and found her way to Australia. Her culinary expertise led her to become a demonstration chef at the renowned David Jones Food Hall, where she shared her passion for cooking with others.

Specializing in Sweet Christmas Treats

Among the many delectable dishes she crafted, our grandmother specialized in creating the most scrumptious sweet Christmas treats. Today, we're sharing one of her prized recipes with you—a recipe that has been passed down through the generations.

Elisenlebkuchen Recipe

Let's explore the ingredients and steps to create this delightful holiday treat.

Ingredients

5 large eggs
1 1/4 cups packed brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon quality vanilla extract
2 cups almond meal
2 cups hazelnut meal
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons gingerbread spice
240 grams mixed peel
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (to coat the candied peel) (can substitute gluten-free)
Lemon & Orange Peel
Edible rice paper discs (either 70mm or 90mm)
Blanched whole almonds (cut in half lengthwise)

For the Chocolate Glaze

85 grams quality dark or milk chocolate
2 teaspoons coconut oil (or oil of choice - do not use butter)

For the Sugar Glaze

1 cup sifted powdered sugar
3 tablespoons water or milk (use water for a clear glaze or milk for an opaque glaze; substitute some heavy cream for the milk for an even more opaque/whiter glaze)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
Toss the candied lemon and orange peel with about 1/4 cup all-purpose flour to prevent sticking, then pulse in a food processor until finely minced. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs until foamy. Add the sugar, honey, and vanilla extract, and beat until combined.
Add the ground almonds and hazelnuts, salt, baking powder, ginger spices, and candied lemon and orange peels. Stir vigorously until thoroughly combined. You can use a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat for about 2 minutes. The mixture will be wet, but if it's too thin to scoop onto the rice paper, add more almond or hazelnut meal.
Scoop the mixture onto the rice paper discs, smoothing down the top and leaving a slight space around the edges. Place them on a lined cookie sheet.
Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 25-30 minutes. Remove the cookie sheet and allow them to cool completely.
Once cooled, place a wire rack over a cookie sheet (to catch the drippings). Dip half of the Lebkuchen in the chocolate glaze and half in the sugar glaze, letting the excess drip back into the bowl. Then place the Lebkuchen on the wire rack. Arrange 3 almonds on each Lebkuchen while the glaze is still wet. Let the Lebkuchen dry completely until the glaze is hardened.
Keep stored in an airtight container. These treats will keep for several weeks, and the flavor improves with time.

Conclusion

As we embark on this festive season, we hope you enjoy baking and savoring these delicious Elisenlebkuchen, a recipe that has brought joy to our family for generations. We wish you all a very happy and peaceful 2024, filled with love, laughter, and the joy of shared traditions. Merry Christmas from Cheeky Food Events!

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