A wonderful German Christmas tradition that is consumed and enjoyed around the world. Lebkuchen in German means the "cooking of life." It is thought that the Lebkuchen was probably the first cookie traditionally associated with Christmas and oldest form of cookie known to humankind.

This recipe originally came from my children's German grandmother, Gertrude Zemp. She always made these cookies at least one month in advance of Christmas, for they improve with age. They will keep for six months in an airtight container. In my house, we can't keep them that long because I can't leave them alone.

More of Linda's favorite Cookie Recipes and Secrets To Making Perfect Cookies.

German Lebkuchen Bars (German Honey Cakes)

5 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ground cinnamon
2 cups finely chopped almonds
1/4 cup chopped candied citron
1/4 cup chopped candied orange peel
2 cups honey
2 cups granulated sugar 
4 tablespoons whiskey
3 eggs, well beaten
Milk Frosting (see recipe below)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 15x10-inch rimmed baking pan.

In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, cloves, cinnamon, almonds, candied citron, and candied orange peel; set aside.

In the top of a double boiler over hot water, combine honey, sugar, and whiskey; stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let mixture cool a little. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition; add to flour mixture and mix until well blended.

Spread batter onto prepared baking pan. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and they are light brown. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack.

While bars are baking, prepare Milk Frosting.

While still hot, spread the Milk Frosting onto the top of the baked Lebkuchen with a spatula or a pastry brush. Cool, cut into bars, and remove from pan. Store to mellow.

Yields 5 dozen squares.

Milk Frosting:
1 cup powdered (confectioner's) sugar
1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons milk

In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and enough milk to make frosting easy to spread.