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    Home » Kids Baking

    Lebkuchenherzen: German Gingerbread Hearts With Messages

    Published: Sep 29, 2019 · Modified: Oct 6, 2022 by dirndlkitchen · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

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    Wiesnherzen Lebkuchenherzen dirndl kitchen recipe

    Don't leave Oktoberfest without a Lebkuchenherz or also commonly known as Wiesnherz, an opulently decorated German Gingerbread Heart. It's THE WAY to express your feelings about someone else at Oktoberfest!

    What Are Wiesnherzen?

    Wiesnherzen Lebkuchenherzen dirndl kitchen recipe

    This Is A Sponsored Post That Contains Affiliate Links

    If you wake up the morning after Oktoberfest without a Wiesnherz around your neck, did Oktoberfest really happen?? Let's make sure you're not goign to face this moral dilemma! Text your Wiesn-ready friends right now to invite them over for an evening of decorating Lebkuchenherzen aka Wiesnherzen for your Oktoberfest party. Because your Dirndl and Lederhosen aren't complete without a homemade gingerbread heart. Typically awarded by a good friend or lovebird, these hand-decorated German Gingerbread Hearts are THE WAY to someone else's heart.

    Messages for Lebkuchenherzen

    There are the typical messages and saying gracefully piped on with sugar icing, such as 'I mog di' (Bavarian German for 'I like you') or Schatzi (German for 'treasure' or 'darling'). And then there are the more fun ones, less usual ones, often funny ones like this one right here. 'Sie kann kochen' translates from German to 'she can cook' and is definitely going to be dirndl husband's neck anchor for the upcoming Oktoberfest in Kansas City... whether he wants it or not! It may just end up in his mouth before the party is over. If you're into dry humor, try phrases like 'Ich hasse Bier' (German for 'I hate beer') or 'Depp' (German for 'idiot'). Whatever kind of phrase or words your mind can create, pipe it on and gift generously! I promise everyone will love these.

    How To Make German Gingerbread Hearts

    The dough comes together quickly, but then should have some time to rest overnight. This is called a curing process, and München where they make these Wiesnherzen in large batches, the dough cures for several weeks (this is a cool video showing a large production Wiesnherzen bakery - it's in German, but you'll get the just of it)! Ain't nobody got time for that! The Lebkuchenherzen bake quickly, the frosting is easy, but you will need to be careful that you're not spending endless time decorating them. I may have had a little too much fun with mine! To make things go quicker, a little help from friends or kids could be useful! Scroll on down for this very time-sensitive Oktoberfest recipe (or think waaaaay ahead for Christmas time now)!

    Wiesnherzen Lebkuchenherzen dirndl kitchen recipe

    Wiesnherzen Lebkuchenherzen dirndl kitchen recipe

    Lebkuchenherzen Essentials

    More Oktoberfest Recipes

    Wiesnhendl, homemade pretzels and Bavarian potato salad and are must-try Bavarian recipes for Oktoberfest.

    Wiesnherzen Lebkuchenherzen dirndl kitchen recipe

    Lebkuchenherzen/Wiesnherzen (German Gingerbread Hearts)

    Author: Sophie Sadler
    These German Gingerbread Hearts decorated with loving messages are passed out at Oktoberfest, Volksfeste and German Christmas Markets. Make sure your loved one won't be going home without one!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Snack
    Cuisine Christmas Market, German, Oktoberfest
    Servings 10 large hearts
    Calories 938 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    Cookies

    • 185 grams butter
    • 570 grams honey
    • 250 grams sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon gingerbread spice
    • 30 grams cocoa powder
    • 1200 grams all-purpose flour
    • 1 pinch baking powder
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 pinch salt

    Icing

    • 200 grams powdered sugar
    • 1 egg white
    • food coloring if desired, to make different icing colors
    Shop Ingredients on Jupiter

    Instructions
     

    • Heat butter, honey, sugar, cocoa powder and gingerbread spice in a pot over medium heat. As soon as it turns into a cohesive mixture, remove the pot from the stove and allow to cool.
    • Sift flour and baking powder into a bowl, add salt, eggs and honey mixture and knead for about 15 minutes. 
    • Cover the dough in plastic wrap and allow to cure for half a day at room temperature (if you’re in a hurry, skip this step). 
    • Before baking, make sure you create holes with a small round cutter or the end of a straw for the ribbon to go through. 
    • Bake in a preheated oven at 200 Celsius / 390 Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes.
    • For the icing, combine all ingredients, then add more egg white or powdered sugar to achieve a thick, pipeable icing consistency. Fill into piping bag and get creative with different words and sayings.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 938kcalCarbohydrates: 185gProtein: 15gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 146mgPotassium: 229mgFiber: 4gSugar: 92gVitamin A: 510IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 6mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Affiliate Links Disclosure

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may be compensated if you click certain links.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 8 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Joanne Gledhill

      October 01, 2019 at 9:34 am

      Can i do a smaller amount on the cookies. There are just 2 of us. And i need to skip the icing. I had the cookie in Germany and bought the spice mix there. A y help in breaking it down?

      Reply
      • dirndlkitchen

        October 01, 2019 at 3:08 pm

        I made a half recipe and ended up with 2 large hearts and 6 smaller hearts. If you made a quarter batch, you should end up with 3 large hearts or about 6 small hearts. Does this help? They're perfect for gifting, too!

        Reply
    2. Jennifer

      October 08, 2022 at 8:12 am

      I do not see an icing recipe here. Am I missing a link?

      Reply
      • dirndlkitchen

        October 18, 2022 at 11:47 am

        You know what. I think it got lost when I was converting recipes. I will add it back in ASAP. So sorry!!

        Reply
    3. Maria Miller

      January 30, 2023 at 1:25 pm

      I'm in interested in the frosting recipe as well.

      Reply
      • dirndlkitchen

        September 13, 2023 at 10:51 pm

        I finally added it after I noticed it somehow went missing! It's really simple. I hope you try making them sometime.

        Reply
    4. Emma

      July 22, 2024 at 1:13 am

      How far in advance can you make these? Do they freeze well? I am having a weihnachtsmarkt themed birthday in a couple of weeks (it's winter in Australia so perfect atmosphere) and would like to make one for each of my guests. It would be fantastic if I could make these in advance. Thank you in advance 🙂

      Reply
      • dirndlkitchen

        August 12, 2024 at 11:21 am

        Yes, you can definitely make these Lebkuchenherzen ahead of time. No need to freeze them. I would just keep them in your driest and coolest room in your home. If you do freeze them, only frost AFTER thawing. I hope you have an amazing party!

        Reply

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    Sophie Sadler dirndl kitchen headshot

    Hallo! I'm Sophie Sadler, cookbook author of 'The German Home Kitchen', coming this September, and German food blogger at dirndl kitchen since 2015. I am so happy you’re here! 🥨

    I moved from Trier, Germany to the U.S. in 2009 and soon terribly missed the flavors of home. Crusty German bread, flaky pastries, afternoon Kaffee & Kuchen, and, of course, Döner Kebab and pretzels! So, I started sharing my love for German food and traditions with fun, easy-to-follow recipes. Stay a while, bookmark some recipes, and let’s cook together!

    🥐 Join Plunderteig 101, which is my German Pastry School!
    🇩🇪 Become a Member to get exclusive recipes & behind-the-scenes content.
    📩 Subscribe to My Free Newsletter to get German food inspiration straight to your inbox!
    📚 Pre-Order My Cookbook The German Home Kitchen (Coming Sept 2025!)

    Mit viel Liebe,
    Sophie 💛

    More about me →

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