Magenbrot – German Gingerbread Bites Recipe
Magenbrot, a traditional German gingerbread treat, features soft, flavorful gingerbread bites spiced with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and nutmeg. These sweet, aromatic rope-shaped cookies are baked to perfection and glazed with a lemony powdered sugar icing, making them the perfect festive snack or holiday dessert.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 36 pieces 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: German
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup soft butter
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Glaze Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
- Make the dough: Combine all dough ingredients — flour, soft butter, sugar, eggs, baking powder, cocoa powder, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and nutmeg — in a large bowl. Knead the mixture thoroughly until it forms a smooth, cohesive dough.
- Shape the dough: Divide the dough into six equal portions. Roll each portion into a rope approximately 1 inch in diameter, ensuring even thickness throughout.
- Arrange and bake: Place three dough ropes on each prepared baking sheet, spaced slightly apart. Bake the ropes in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes until they are set but not overly hard.
- Prepare the glaze: While the cookies are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until you have a smooth glaze.
- Glaze the cookies: Immediately after removing the baked dough ropes from the oven, brush them generously with the lemon glaze to create a shiny, flavorful coating.
- Cut and cool: Using a sharp knife, cut the glazed ropes diagonally into 1-inch pieces. Leave the pieces on the baking sheets to cool completely and set.
- Store appropriately: Once cooled, store the gingerbread bites in airtight containers or cookie tins to maintain freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier kneading.
- The cocoa powder adds color and depth of flavor without making the cookies overly chocolatey.
- Cutting the ropes diagonally gives the classic Magenbrot bite-size shape.
- Store in an airtight container to keep the cookies moist and fresh for up to two weeks.
- These cookies improve in flavor after a day, allowing the spices to meld beautifully.
Keywords: Magenbrot, German gingerbread, gingerbread bites, holiday cookies, spiced cookies, festive dessert, Christmas treats
