I suppose I could have saved this recipe for December 2015 but these came out SO amazing, I just had to share.
Lebkuchen Spice Brownies
Ingredients
For the Lebkuchen Brownies:
- 1+1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons lebkuchen or gingerbread spices
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- 1+ 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon bourbon optional
- 4 large eggs
- Powdered sugar for decoration if desired to replace the frosting
For the Lebkuchen Frosting:
- 2 teaspoons lebkuchen or gingerbread spice
- 1+ 1/2 tablespoons espresso powder
- Pinch salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted softened butter
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1+1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
Make the brownies:
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Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F.
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Grease a 9 X 12-inch baking pan, and line it with parchment paper. Let the paper overhang at least 2 inches on all sides. Grease the paper inside the pan.
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In a separate bowl whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, lebkuchen or gingerbread spices, espresso powder, and salt. Set aside.
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Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips and the unsalted butter together over a double boiler.
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Whisk in the white granulated sugar, pure vanilla extract, and, if desired, the bourbon.
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Once the sugar dissolves, remove the mixture from heat and let the mixture cool completely.
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Crack the eggs into a separate bowl and lightly beat them with a fork.
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Add the beaten eggs to the cooled butter, chocolate, and sugar mixture and whisk briskly until the eggs have been completely combined into the batter.
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Fold the mixture into the dry ingredients and scrape the brownie batter into the prepared pan.
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Bake for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center of the pan comes out clean.
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Remove from oven, let stand in the pan for 15 minutes, then use the overlapping parchment paper to transfer the uncut brownies to a wire rack.
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Let the brownies cool completely before frosting.
Make the Frosting:
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In a small bowl, whisk together the lebkuchen or gingerbread spice mix with the espresso powder and a pinch of salt.
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Place the unsalted butter and unsweetened cocoa powder in a mixer, and beat until combined. Add the pure vanilla extract and the heavy cream.
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Stop the mixer and add the powdered sugar. Turn the mixer on the lowest speed and mix until the powdered sugar is completely incorporated into the frosting.
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If the frosting is too thick for your liking, add some more heavy cream a teaspoon at a time until you achieve the desired consistency. If the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar to stiffen it a bit.
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Use a pastry knife to spread the frosting over the brownies.
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Cut into squares, plate, and serve.
Lebkuchen Spice Recipe:
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon teaspoon ground anise
- 1/2 teaspoon ground star anise
Instructions
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Whisk all the ingredients together in a small bowl.
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Transfer to an airtight container.
