ADVENT CALENDAR December 7th - time to bake Lebkuchen!

Now that Saint Nicholas Day (and all the preparations for it) is past, it is time to make Lebkuchen. You don't eat these right away. They are much better if you store them in a nice cookie tin for a couple of weeks first. Layer them in, with waxed paper between the layers. Then get a nice, unblemished apple. Wash thoroughly and cut in half. Don't peel or core. Place skin side down, cut side up, on the top layer of Lebkuchen. Close tin. The moisture from the apple will soften the Lebkuchen and help mellow out the flavors. Check on the apple occasionally. When we were kids, we used to like eating it after a few days - it had taken on the flavor of Lebkuchen. If you do eat it, be sure to replace it with a new one!

This recipe is my Mama's. She has been making these for almost half a century!

Now let's get started!

Finely chop and set aside:

¾ c unblanched almonds

1/3 c chopped candied lemon peel

same amount orange peel

Sift together and set aside:

3 c flour

¼ t baking soda

1 t cinnamon

¾ t allspice

½ t nutmeg

¼ t cloves

Beat until thick and piled softly:

2 eggs

1 c sugar

Beat in ½ c honey

Fold in dry ingredients in fourths.

Mix in almonds and candied peel.

Spread out on well-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350°F for 25 ? 30 minutes.

Cut into bars while still hot. Leave on cookie sheet till cool.

If desired, quickly "paint" with a glaze made of powdered sugar and a little lemon juice, then sprinkle with colored sugar (non-pareils) immediately. Use a pastry brush. The heat of the Lebkuchen will dry this very quickly. When I was a kid, this was my favorite.

You can also leave them plain.

Or, once they are cold, use a pastry brush to "paint" them with melted plain chocolate. Press almond halves on each bar - one in each corner, or one in the middle.

Hint: you might double the recipe... My Mama used to multiply everything by 8, if I remember correctly. It made a HUGE tin of Lebkuchen, which we ate until almost Easter. I don't remember anyone ever complaining!

Now let's look for a new door! Here is the seven.

A keg and bottles of - ? what do you think? Waiting for the Christmas feast!

Have a magical day!