Teresa's Recipes
Aachener Printen
Dive into a German tradition with these Aachener Printen! Hailing from the historic city of Aachen, these Lebkuchen (gingerbread-like biscuits) are a delightful blend of aromatic spices and luscious honey. With a characteristic hard texture that softens over time, each bite unveils a burst of flavors that will transport you straight to a German Christmas market.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon, dissolved in a little water Potash (potassium carbonate)
- 1/2 teaspoon, ground Nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon, ground Anise
- 1/2 teaspoon, ground Cloves
- 1 teaspoon, ground Cinnamon
- 3 cups Flour
- 1/2 cup, unsalted Butter
- 3/4 cup Brown sugar
- 1/2 cup Honey
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 25
- Dish Type: Dessert
- Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 3g
- Carbs: 26g
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Sugar: 14g
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine honey, brown sugar, and butter. Heat over medium heat until the sugar has completely dissolved. Remove the pan from heat and let it cool slightly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and the ground spices (nutmeg, anise, cloves, and cinnamon).
- Pour the warm honey mixture into the flour mixture. Add the dissolved potash. Knead the mixture until it forms a smooth dough.
- Wrap the dough in cling film and let it rest at room temperature for at least 2 hours. For best results, let it rest overnight. This allows the flavors to meld together.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough to approximately 1 cm thickness. Cut the dough into rectangular shapes.
- Place the rectangles on the prepared baking tray. Bake for 15 minutes, or until they turn a golden brown color.
- Remove the Printen from the oven and let them cool completely. They will harden as they cool. Remember, the traditional Aachener Printen are meant to be hard, but they will soften over time.
Tips
- For an extra touch of authenticity, press some sliced almonds into the top of the Printen before baking.
- Store the Printen in a tin box with a slice of apple. The biscuits will draw moisture from the apple and slowly soften.