LEBKUCHEN (GERMAN SPICE COOKIES)

Ingredients:

For the Cookies:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar (consider using a sugar substitute for fewer points)
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

For the Icing:

• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar (consider using a sugar substitute for fewer points)
• 2-3 tablespoons milk (consider using a lower-fat milk for fewer points)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to the temperature specified in the original recipe.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar (or sugar substitute) until light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat well. Stir in the molasses, vanilla extract, and lemon zest.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.
6. Bake according to the original recipe’s instructions until the edges are set.
7. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. For the icing, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar (or sugar substitute) and milk until smooth. Drizzle or spread the icing over the cooled cookies.

Enjoy your modified Lebkuchen with lower Weight Watchers points!