Low-Carb Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread)
Christmas smells like Lebkuchen, and with this recipe you don't have to miss that feeling just because you're watching your carbs. Ground hazelnuts, almonds and walnuts give these gingerbread cookies a deep, nutty warmth, while gingerbread spice and vanilla bring that classic festive aroma. Instead of sugar we use Sucolin, which delivers the familiar sweetness without the carbs. If you like, dip the finished cookies in melted chocolate for the perfect finishing touch to your low-carb Christmas baking.
Ingredients
- 100 g ground hazelnuts
- 100 g ground almonds
- 50 g ground walnuts
- 50 g coconut flour or almond flour, Or swap for extra ground nuts
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 240 g Sucolin, An erythritol-based sweetener; equivalent to 180 g sugar. Substitute another granular sweetener like erythritol or xylitol, adjusting for sweetness.
- 1 vanilla pod, Seeds only
- grated lemon or orange zest, To taste
- 10 g gingerbread spice mix, Lebkuchen spice; or a mix of cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg and cardamom
- 1 egg white
- 5 egg yolks
- edible baking wafers (Oblaten), Round communion-style wafers; size to suit your cookies
- 80 g couverture chocolate, Optional, for coating; use a low-carb/sugar-free chocolate if you prefer
The ingredient amounts above scale with your choice. The value per serving stays the same, while the total in the pot grows with the number of servings.
All nutrition values side by side
| Nutrient | per serving (estimate) | Total for 30 Servings |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 95 kcal | 2,850 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 3 g | 90 g |
| Protein | 3.2 g | 96 g |
| Fat | 7.5 g | 225 g |
| Fibre | 1.2 g | 36 g |
| of which sugar | 0.5 g | 15 g |
How this is calculated
Target amount = ingredient amount × target servings ÷ base servings. The result is then rounded for kitchen use: from 100 g or ml to the nearest 5, between 1 and 99 to the nearest 1, pieces and spoons to half units, amounts below one unit to quarters, thirds or halves. Teaspoons and tablespoons also go down to an eighth, kilograms and litres stay finer.
Total = value per serving × target servings. The value per serving is unchanged, because ingredient amount and serving count change by the same factor.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 (FIC), Art. 32 and 33: nutrition values per 100 g or 100 ml, additionally allowed per portion.
- European Commission, Guidance document for competent authorities for the control of compliance with EU food law, setting of tolerances for nutrient values declared on a label, December 2012.
Nutrition values are estimates from the recipe record, not laboratory results. Even for checked labels the EU sets tolerances: for fat, protein and carbohydrates 20 percent in the range of 10 to 40 g per 100 g, and 2 g per 100 g below that. Home cooking varies more, because variety, size and cooking loss of the ingredients differ. Kitchen rounding also shifts the total slightly against the plain rule of three. Anyone who has to keep amounts exact for medical reasons, for example during a nutrition therapy prescribed by a doctor, should discuss them with a doctor or a registered dietitian. Your serving count is calculated in your browser only, it is neither stored nor transmitted.
Instructions
- Whisk the egg white in a clean bowl until stiff, then set aside.
- In a large bowl, thoroughly combine all the remaining ingredients: the ground hazelnuts, almonds and walnuts, the coconut or almond flour (or nut substitute), Sucolin, vanilla seeds, lemon or orange zest, baking powder, gingerbread spice and the 5 egg yolks.
- Gently fold the stiff egg white into the mixture until you have a smooth, even dough.
- Preheat the oven to 170C (fan 150C).
- Shape the dough into even portions, round each one lightly in your hand and place onto the baking wafers.
- Arrange the Lebkuchen on a baking tray lined with baking paper and bake in the preheated oven for about 17 minutes, until lightly golden.
- Let the Lebkuchen cool completely. If you like, melt the chocolate over a bain-marie, brush it over the tops and leave to set fully.
Cooked it? Tell us how it turned out.
Did you like it? Rate this recipe
Nutrition facts per serving (estimate)
| Calories | 95 kcal |
|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | 3 g |
| Protein | 3.2 g |
| Fat | 7.5 g |
| Fibre | 1.2 g |
| of which sugar | 0.5 g |
Frequently asked questions
Are these low-carb Lebkuchen really gluten-free?
Yes. As long as you use coconut or almond flour (or swap the flour for extra ground nuts), the recipe contains no gluten.
Can I replace the Sucolin with another sweetener?
Yes, you can use other sugar alternatives such as erythritol or xylitol. Keep in mind that sweetness varies from product to product, so adjust to taste.
How long do the low-carb Lebkuchen keep?
Stored in an airtight tin in a cool place, they keep for about 2 to 3 weeks.
Can I leave out the chocolate coating?
Yes, the chocolate is optional and just for decoration. The Lebkuchen taste lovely on their own too.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to write one!
Thanks for your comment! We will review it and publish it shortly.