Magenbrot (German Spiced Cookies) Recipe

Introduction

Magenbrot is a traditional German spiced cookie that offers a perfect balance of sweet and warming flavors. These soft bars are lightly coated with a sweet glaze, making them an ideal treat during the holiday season or any cozy occasion.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup honey
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup water

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, spices, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
2. Step 2: In a saucepan, heat the honey, sugar, and water over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
3. Step 3: Gradually mix the honey mixture into the dry ingredients until a sticky dough forms. If needed, add a little more water to bring the dough together.
4. Step 4: Transfer the dough into a greased or parchment-lined baking pan (about 9×5 inches), spreading it evenly.
5. Step 5: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are firm but the center remains slightly soft.
6. Step 6: Remove from the oven and let the baked slab cool slightly before cutting into bars or bite-sized pieces.
7. Step 7: Prepare a sugar glaze by mixing powdered sugar with a small amount of water to a thick but spreadable consistency. Brush or dip the pieces to coat evenly, then let the glaze set before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer flavor, add a teaspoon of finely chopped candied ginger or orange zest to the dough.
• Substitute honey with dark molasses for a deeper, more robust sweetness.
• Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them moist and flavorful.

Storage

Keep Magenbrot in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. The cookies tend to soften and develop more flavor over time. To refresh the glaze’s shine, you can gently brush the pieces with a thin layer of warm honey before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different spices in Magenbrot?

Yes, you can customize the spice blend. Traditional options include cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, but you may add nutmeg, cardamom, or star anise to suit your taste.

Is Magenbrot gluten-free?

Traditional Magenbrot uses wheat flour and is not gluten-free. However, you can try substituting with a gluten-free flour blend, but texture and flavor may vary slightly.

Magenbrot (German Spiced Cookies) Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 122 reviews

Magenbrot, also known as German spiced cookies, are flavorful, aromatic bars that blend cocoa, honey, sugar, and warming spices into a delightful treat. These bars are baked to perfection, then cut into bite-sized pieces and finished with a sweet sugar glaze, making them a perfect festive snack or holiday dessert.

• Author: Yana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 30 small pieces 1x
• Category: Cookies
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: German

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dough Ingredients

• 250 g all-purpose flour
• 30 g cocoa powder
• 80 g honey
• 100 g granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground anise
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 60 ml milk
• 1 egg

Glaze Ingredients

• 150 g powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsp water or lemon juice

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and spices (cinnamon, cloves, anise, nutmeg, cardamom). In a separate bowl, whisk together the honey, sugar, egg, and milk until smooth. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a thick, uniform dough forms.
2. Shape and Bake: Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a baking pan (approximately 20×30 cm) with parchment paper. Spread the dough evenly into the pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean but the bars remain soft.
3. Cool and Cut into Pieces: Remove the baked dough from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. While still slightly warm, cut the large bar into small rectangles or diamond shapes to form individual pieces.
4. Prepare the Sugar Glaze: Mix the powdered sugar with water or lemon juice to create a smooth glaze with a slightly runny consistency.
5. Glaze the Cookies: Using a brush or spoon, coat each cookie piece evenly with the sugar glaze. Lay the glazed cookies on a cooling rack or parchment paper and let the glaze set completely, about 30-60 minutes.

Notes

• Spices can be adjusted to taste or replaced with a mix like pumpkin pie spice.
• Honey adds moisture and a distinctive sweetness; you can substitute with maple syrup but expect a different flavor.
• The sugar glaze gives Magenbrot its characteristic shiny finish and subtle sweetness on the outside.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
• These cookies pair wonderfully with warm drinks such as mulled wine or spiced tea.

Keywords: Magenbrot, German spiced cookies, honey cocoa cookies, Christmas cookies, baked cookies, spiced bars