Magenbrot (German Spiced Cookies) Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Prepare the Sugar Glaze: Mix the powdered sugar with water or lemon juice to create a smooth glaze with a slightly runny consistency.
- 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
Find it online: https://cookwithyana.com/magenbrot-german-spiced-cookies-recipe/
