lebkuchen

American  

[leyb-koo-kuhn, leyp-koo-khuhn] / ˈleɪb ku kən, ˈleɪpˌku xən /

noun

plural

lebkuchen

1. a hard, chewy or brittle Christmas cookie, usually flavored with honey and spices and containing nuts and citron.

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lebkuchen British  

/ ˈleɪbˌkuːkən /

noun

1. a biscuit, originating from Germany, usually containing honey, spices, etc

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Etymology

Origin of lebkuchen

An Americanism dating back to 1845–50; from German, from Middle High German lebekuoche; see loaf ¹, cake

Explanation

Lebkuchen is a German Christmas cookie that's similar to gingerbread. Traditionally, lebkuchen is made with honey and spices, shaped into a soft, round cookie, and glazed with sugar or chocolate. There are many variations on this basic style, including the addition of dried fruit and nuts, various shapes, and even a cake version. The origin of this German word is uncertain, though we know the kuchen part means "cake."

Example Sentences

The Germans developed weihnachtsplätzchen — an umbrella term for a variety of Christmas cookies, such as lebkuchen, zimtsterne, Schwarz-Weiß-Gebäck shortbreads and the intricate springerle.

From Salon • Dec. 19, 2021

The messenger was Karl Heinz, a jolly red-nosed man who was spreading a gospel of German Christmases past and present: Eat lebkuchen.

From Washington Post • Dec. 9, 2015

"Once considered delicacies found only at trips to Christmas markets, German-style cakes and bakes such as stollen and lebkuchen are now considered festive staples in British shopping baskets," says Marianne Robson, Waitrose's Christmas bakery buyer.

From BBC • Dec. 21, 2014

“We'll make lebkuchen for Great-Aunt Gertrude,” I told her.

From Nature • Jul. 22, 2014

Sometimes he would ask her, with a fine irony, if she meant to keep him waiting for his answer until her brother had made lebkuchen as good as the lebkuchen of N�rnberg?

From A Romance Of Tompkins Square 1891 by Smedley, W. T. (William Thomas)