• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Vegan Larder
  • Recipes
  • Cook Books
  • About
  • Work
  • Nav Social Menu

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Cook Books
  • About
  • Work
  • Connect with me...

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Cook Books
    • About
    • Work
  • Connect with me...

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ร—
    Home ยป Christmas Baking

    Vegan Lebkuchen Gingerbread Cookies

    Published: Nov 12, 2021 ยท Modified: Dec 7, 2023 by Louise-Claire Cayzer ยท This post may contain affiliate links ยท This blog generates income via ads ยท 7 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    I just adore Christmas baking, and these Vegan Lebkuchen (German Gingerbread Cookies) are not only one of my favorite's to make, but to eat too! They make the house smell glorious when they're being baked, which is always a bonus, and can be decorated in a variety of ways too!

    Decorated vegan lebkuchen ready to eat. this recipe

    Lebkuchen are traditionally made in Germany as part of the festive season. You can find them sold in Christmas Markets or people will also make their own. Often households will make a variety of different cookies, including lebkuchen (between 7 and 12 types!) to share with guests or to take as a gift when visiting friends and relatives. It can get quite competitive, in the nicest possible way. Fortunately, the cookies tend to store quite well, so you can make them well ahead of time. The lebkuchen are also easily made vegan, so everyone can enjoy them.

    If you want to compete in your own vegan version of the German Cookie baking, why not try these easy Mince Pie Baklava for a Christmas twist on the classic baklava. Or try these simple but delicious Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.

    Jump to:
    • ๐ŸชKey Ingredients
    • ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸณHow-To
    • ๐Ÿฅ„Troubleshooting
    • ๐ŸŠSubstitutions and Variations
    • ๐Ÿ”ชEquipment
    • โ“ FAQ
    • ๐ŸฅจSimilar Recipes
    • ๐Ÿ“– Recipe
    • ๐ŸŠSubstitutions and Variations
    • ๐Ÿ”ชEquipment
    • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Comments

    ๐ŸชKey Ingredients

    For the full ingredients list for these vegan gingerbread cookies, along with quantities, please head down to the recipe card.

    ingredients for the lebkuchen laid out.

    These yummy Christmas spiced cookies use simple ingredients but are very effective.

    • Spices: Ground Ginger, Cinnamon, Mixed Spice and Nutmeg all combine to create the classic Lebkuchen 'Gingerbread' style spice mix. The smell when baking is just heavenly.
    • Brown Sugar and Agave Syrup: Traditional lebkuchen is made with honey. I substitute a mix of these two sweeteners for the stickyness and depth of flavour. You can also use maple syrup or golden syrup.
    • Plain Flour: You can use all purpose flour or even spelt flour.
    • Ground Almonds: (almond flour) these provide a pleasing texture and slight nuttiness.
    • Vegan Butter: I like to use Naturali butter, but you can choose your favourite vegan butter block.
    • 1 Lemon: juice and zest. For a lovely fragrance that really 'lifts' the cookie taste!
    • Icing Sugar/Powdered Sugar: Mixed with a little water, this becomes the classic glaze that the lebkuchen are dipped into.
    • Optional: Dark Chocolate for dipping or decorating. Chocolate goes really well with the lebkuchen spices, but you don't have to use it, it's a personal preference.

    ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸณHow-To

    For the full recipe and ingredients for these Vegan Lebkuchen, head to the recipe card below!

    Melting the butter, sugar and syrup on the stove.
    The flours poured into a bowl ready to mix, with lemon zest and spices.

    1 & 2 First melt your butter, sugar and agave syrup. Mix until the sugar is properly melted.

    3. In a large bowl, sift in the flour, baking powder and spices. Then mix the melted butter and sugar into the dry ingredients.

    Add the lemon juice bit by bit to the dough.
    Lebkuchen dough ready to roll out.

    4. Slowly add lemon juice and keep mixing until you have a sticky dough.

    5. You will end up with a sticky dough. For best results and ease of rolling, cover the dough with cling film then chill the dough in the fridge for half an hour- or even overnight.

    Lebkuchen dough being rolled out ready to cut shapes.
    Lebkuchen dough rolled out to 5mm thick with shapes cut into it..

    6. On a non-stick mat or board, roll the dough out to about 5mm thick.
    Now you can cut out pretty shapes using cookie cutters. Make sure to use quite simple shapes as the dough is quite fragile.

    7 & 8. Lay the shapes on a parchment paper lined baking tray and bake for 10-15 minutes until just turning golden. Leave to cool completely on a rack.

    Showing dipping a lebkuchen cookie into the icing sugar glaze.
    Showing dipping a lebkuchen cookie into melted chocolate.

    To glaze, mix the icing powder with water and dip the cookies in. The thicker the mixture, the thicker the glaze.

    Then if you choose to add chocolate, you can now dip or drizzle melted chocolate over the lebkuchen cookies! Be sure to cool the chocolate covered ones on a non-stick baking sheet or they will stick to the tray (I know this from silly experience!)

    A tray of decorated vegan lebkuchen with both glazed and chocolate covered ones on it.

    ๐Ÿฅ„Troubleshooting

    Rolling out the dough- The dough is quite sticky, so make sure the dough is chilled before rolling it out! If it's too wet, add a tiny amount of flour to help it out.

    Making the dough- When adding the lemon juice, do it bit by bit. Not all lemons are the same size so you might end up with more juice than you need! You'll know the dough is ready when it comes together in a sticky mass, that can still be smooshed together into a smooth ball.

    Cutting out the cookie shapes- the lebkuchen dough is quite fragile so I suggest using a simple cookie cutter shape (a plain Star, Heart or Christmas trees for example, rather than a fancy pants one). A good non-stick surface to roll out on is also essential. I like this silicon mat for pastry work.

    Simply decorated vegan lebkuchen with a thin glaze only.

    ๐ŸŠSubstitutions and Variations

    There are a few ways you can substitute items in this recipe should you want or need to:

    1. Coconut Oil: Melt the same quantity of coconut oil to replace the butter.
    2. Orange zest and juice: replace the lemon with orange for a slightly different but equally delicious flavour.
    3. Gluten Free: Replace the wheat flour with your favourite gluten free flour blend. Gluten free flour sometimes needs extra liquid, so just add more lemon juice as needed.
    4. Chocolate Glaze: Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the icing powder for a chocolatey glaze. Alterntively microwave or melt chocolate chips over a water bath and use melted chocolate to decorate.
    5. Gingerbread Spice: Feel free to play with the balance of gingerbread spices. If you can't find mixed spice, substitute all-spice or pumpkin spice mix.

    ๐Ÿ”ชEquipment

    1. You'll need a saucepan, a large mixing bowl and at least two baking trays or cookie sheets to make these Christmas cookies.
    2. If you want to go for fancy piped icing, you will also need icing bags and nozzles.

    โ“ FAQ

    How long do the lebkuchen store for?

    Up to a month in an airtight container, or probably longer. They're designed to stay soft and slightly chewy.

    What are those stars you have on the lebkuchen cookies?

    These are fun little vegan sprinkles that we found on Amazon.

    Do you have to glaze the lebkuchen?

    No, you do you! Eat them plain and unglazed. Or just dipped into chocolate.

    My glaze is so much thicker than yours!

    Add a little more water for a thin coating, or it's also just as nice to make a thicker coating.

    I've made my dough too wet. What should I do?

    Add a little more plain flour and mix well, bit by bit until the dough is able to easily be moulded into a smooth ball. Refrigerate for a bit to make it easier to roll out.

    ๐ŸฅจSimilar Recipes

    Why not make lots of cookies or treats for Christmas, alongside these vegan lebkuchen to hand around to your friends just like they do in Germany! Who knows, you might start your own friend's tradition!

    1. Coconut Shortbread Stars
    2. The Best Vegan Gingerbread People
    3. Granny's Famous Rum Balls made Vegan!
    4. Vegan Cinnamon and Macadamia Biscuits with White Chocolate Drizzle
    • Two vegan mince pie brownies stacked on top of each other.
      Christmas Mince Pie Chocolate Brownies (Vegan & Egg Free)
    • Vegan cranberry shortbread bar being held up to the camera to show off the crumble topping and pretty cranberry filling.
      Easy Cranberry Shortbread Crumble Bars
    • Craisin and white chocolate cookies ready to eat.
      Vegan Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies with White Chocolate Chips
    • Chocolate Croissan Wreath ready to eat.
      Vegan Chocolate Croissant Wreaths

    If you love this recipe, please share this post with your friends on Pinterest or Facebook, or tag me on Insta! Don't forget to also please comment and star โญthis recipe too!

    Love & Vegan Yummies, Louise xx (P.S. Follow me on Insta and Tik Tok!)

    ๐Ÿ“– Recipe

    Vegan Gingerbread cookies; Lebkuchen ready to eat.

    Vegan Lebkuchen Gingerbread Cookies

    Louise-Claire Cayzer
    Yummy vegan gingerbread cookies traditional in Germany. These lebkuchen are so delicious you'll want to make them every year!
    No ratings yet
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Chilling time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr
    Course Afternoon Tea, christmas, Snack
    Cuisine German, Vegan
    Servings 35 pieces
    Calories 101 kcal

    Equipment

    • Silicon Non-stick mat
    • Baking Tray
    • Rolling Pin

    Ingredients Note:

    For accuracy, I measure all ingredients in metric as standard, then convert and test the recipe for American cup measurements etc.

    (Heads up Aussie and UK readers- your measurements in cups are sometimes different, so please use metric or check you have the correct cup and spoon type!!)

    Ingredients

    For the Cookies

    • 100 g (ยฝ cups) brown sugar
    • 100 g (3 ยฝ oz) agave or maple syrup (I used agave, but maple is fine too)
    • 200 g (1.6 cups) plain flour
    • 85 g (3 oz) vegan butter (I like naturali block, but use your favourite)
    • 100 g (โ…ž cups) ground almonds
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 teaspoon mixed spice
    • ยฝ teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated is nicest)
    • 1 lemon, juice and zest

    For the Decorating

    • 100 g (โ…ž cups) icing sugar (also known as powdered sugar)
    • 2 tablespoon warm water
    • 100 g (3 ยฝ oz) Dark vegan chocolate (totally optional!)

    Instructions

    To make the lebkuchen Cookies

    • Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas Mark 6
    • Melt the butter and mix in the syrup and brown sugar. Make sure the sugar is properly melted.
      100 g brown sugar, 100 g agave or maple syrup, 85 g vegan butter
    • Remove from the stove, and mix together all the dry ingredients, including the zest of the lemon.
      200 g plain flour, 100 g ground almonds, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon mixed spice, ยฝ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 lemon, juice and zest
    • Carefully mix the melted butter mixture into the flour mixture. It will be not quite wet enough.
    • Now carefully add in lemon juice bit by bit. You'll end up with a soft sticky dough.
    • Form the dough into a ball and refridgerate for half an hour. This makes it easier to roll out.
    • Once the dough is cooled, roll out onto a non-stick surface and press out the cookies into shapes.
    • Put the cookies onto 2 lined baking trays and bake for around 15 minutes.
    • Depending on your cookie shape, you might need to do 3 trays of cookies! You can keep rolling the dough out until there is none left. I have even cheated with the leftovers and just rolled up with my hands and squished out onto the tray !
    • The cookies are ready when they are slightly puffed up and gently golden. They will still be quite soft when you remove them from the oven, so let them cool before handling them.
    • Allow to properly cool on a rack before decorating.

    How to decorate the Vegan Lebkuchen

    • Allow the lebkuchen to cool.
    • Mix together the sugar and water. How much water you add will affect the thickness of the glaze so do how you wish!
      100 g icing sugar, 2 tablespoon warm water
    • Dip the cookies into the glaze and allow to set. Add little stars here if you want.
    • Alternatively, melt chocolate and dip the cookies in the chocolate, allowing to dry on non-stick baking paper.
      100 g Dark vegan chocolate

    Video

    Notes

    Depending on your cookie shape, you might need to do 3 trays of cookies! You can keep rolling the dough out until there is none left. I have even cheated with the leftovers and just rolled up with my hands and squished out onto the tray !

    ๐ŸŠSubstitutions and Variations

    There are a few ways you can substitute items in this recipe should you want or need to:
    1. Coconut Oil: Melt the same quantity of coconut oil to replace the butter.
    2. Orange zest and juice: replace the lemon with orange for a slightly different but equally delicious flavour.
    3. Gluten Free: Replace the wheat flour with your favourite gluten free flour blend. Gluten free flour sometimes needs extra liquid, so just add more lemon juice as needed.
    4. Chocolate Glaze: Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the icing powder for a chocolatey glaze. Alterntively microwave or melt chocolate chips over a water bath and use melted chocolate to decorate.
    5. Gingerbread Spice: Feel free to play with the balance of gingerbread spices. If you can't find mixed spice, substitute all-spice or pumpkin spice mix.
    ย 

    ๐Ÿ”ชEquipment

    1. You'll need a saucepan, a large mixing bowl and at least two baking trays or cookie sheets to make these Christmas cookies.
    2. If you want to go for fancy piped icing, you will also need icing bags and nozzles.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 101kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 30mgPotassium: 37mgFiber: 1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 95IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe and loved it? Follow and Mention @vegan_larder or comment and โญ below

    More Christmas Baking

    • Dried fruit in a jar with liqueur.
      Boozy Fruits: Alcohol-Infused Fruit
    • 30+ Delicious Vegan Christmas Desserts
    • Vegan christmas cake with a slice cut out
      The Best Vegan Christmas Cake
    • Collage of different vegan cookies
      The 35 Yummiest Vegan Christmas Cookies

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Nathan says

      November 12, 2021 at 7:38 pm

      5 stars
      These cookies are so adorable, and I don't think I've seen a recipe for vegan gingerbread so this is a great find. Thanks so much for the tips!

      Reply
    2. Lily says

      November 12, 2021 at 7:36 pm

      5 stars
      These cookies look beautiful, delicious, and like the perfect cookie recipe to make with my 3 year old! She will love cutting out the cookies and decorating them.

      Reply
      • Louise-Claire Cayzer says

        November 15, 2021 at 12:43 pm

        Such a fun thing to make (and eat!) with your family.

        Reply
    3. Mirlene says

      November 12, 2021 at 7:30 pm

      5 stars
      These looks so good! I have never tried the German version of gingerbread cookies. I'm sure these are even more tastier!

      Reply
      • Louise-Claire Cayzer says

        November 15, 2021 at 12:43 pm

        They're really yummy. I hope you like them!

        Reply
    4. Katherine says

      November 12, 2021 at 6:40 pm

      5 stars
      I adore lebkuchen and can't wait to make this vegan version!

      Reply
      • Louise-Claire Cayzer says

        November 15, 2021 at 12:42 pm

        We hope you like making them as much as we did!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I'm Louise-Claire! I believe vegan and plant-based food should be easy to make, never scary and above all, absolutely delicious. Also, it's for everyone, not just for vegans!

    I'm a photographer, recipe developer and gardener. You'll find me in the kitchen, in the studio or wandering the garden, picking delicious veggies to make recipes for you! So why not stay a while, check out some of my recipes and try one or two for yourself...Find out more on my About Me page.

    Vegan Air Fryer Recipes

    • Butternut squash halved on a tray stuffed with sage and chickpea stuffing.
      Chickpea and Sage Stuffed Butternut Squash; Air fryer or Oven method
    • Cauliflower and broccoli being served on a plate.
      Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower
    • Vegan Spanakopita Triangles ready to eat.
      Vegan Cheese and Spinach Spanakopita Triangles (Air Fryer or Oven Baked)
    • Plates of roasted tomato and white bean stew ready to eat.
      Roasted Tomato and White Bean Stew

    Tofu Lover? These are for you...

    • A casserole dish with vegan tuna noodle casserole in it ready to eat.
      Vegan Tuna Casserole (Tu-no Noodle)
    • A roasted pumpkin filled with hot cheese dip with a hand reaching in with a corn chip to scoop up some dip.
      Cheesy Pumpkin Dip: Savory & Dairy Free
    • A bowl of zucchini pasta ready to eat.
      Creamy Zucchini Pasta with Lemon Basil Sauce
    • A plate of pasta with a sauce made from blended creamy tofu and sundried tomatoes. There is another plate of pasta in the background, some basil leaves on top of the pasta.
      Creamy Tofu Pasta with Sundried Tomatoes (No cook sauce!)

    Vegan Dinner Inspo

    • 50 vegan asparagus recipes.
      50+ Vegan Asparagus Recipes
    • Collage of 4 recipes suited for a BBQ that are vegan.
      30+Yummy Vegan BBQ Main Recipes
    • A plate of spaghetti with vegan mushroom scallops on top. Next to the plate is a glass of white wine and half a lemon.
      Vegan Scallops with Garlic Pasta (King Oyster Mushroom)
    • A bowl of white bean puttanesca with a few olives on top ready to eat.
      White Bean Puttanesca - One Pot Recipe

    Craving something sweet?

    • Peach and Raspberry Cake with a slice cut on a plate ready to eat.
      Raspberry and Peach Cake- Dairy and Egg Free
    • Sticky Toffee pudding with ice cream and more sauce being poured over it.
      Vegan Sticky Toffee Pudding (Sticky Date Pudding)
    • Vegan Pineapple Upside Down cake ready to slice.
      Easy Vegan Pineapple Upside Down Cake
    • Vegan Cardamom and Spinach cake with lemon buttercream and a candle on the top.
      Vegan Cardamom & Spinach Celebration Cake
    • Rhubarb cake with a slice taken out of it.
      Easy Vegan Rhubarb Cake
    • Delicious Tofu Dessert Recipes

    Recipes you're all loving!

    • A bowl of asparagus and pea pasta salad ready to eat with some lemons in the background and a little jug of extra dressing in the foreground.
      Asparagus & Pea Spring Pasta Salad with Lemon Dressing
    • Cheesy Chickpea flour crackers in a bowl. The crackers are topped with poppy seeds.
      Crispy Chickpea Flour Crackers (with chia & flaxseed)
    • A plate of lentil salad with spiced roasted carrots ready to eat.
      Spiced Roasted Carrot and Lentil Salad
    • A bowl of savoury chickpea granola ready to snack on.
      Savory Chickpea Granola (with flavor variation ideas)

    Lovely Lentils

    • A plate of lentil salad with spiced roasted carrots ready to eat.
      Spiced Roasted Carrot and Lentil Salad
    • A bowl of lentil bolognese with spaghetti.
      Easy Vegan Lentil Bolognese Sauce
    • A bowl of lentil and tomato soup with some vegan cheese sprinkled over it, ready to serve.
      Lentil and Tomato Soup (Lentils Monastery Style)
    • A bowl of swede and carrot soup with a hand scooping up a spoon of soup.
      Classic Swede (Rutabaga) and Carrot Soup
    • Contact Me
    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy, Cookies, Ads & T&C's

    Footer

    โ†‘ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Me
    • My Story

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • What I Do

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright ยฉ 2025 The Vegan Larder on the Cravings Pro Theme

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required