Swiss-Style Lebkuchen (Appenzeller Fladen)

Ingredients

• 300 g honey
• 75 g sugar
• 75 g butter
• 450 g flour
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 0.5 tsp cinnamon powder
• 0.5 tsp cardamom powder
• 0.5 tsp clove powder
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 1 pinch allspice
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 egg
• 0.5 tsp Baking soda
• flour (for the work surface)
• 3 tbsp milk
• 150 g whole peeled almond kernels

Instructions

1. 1.

   Place honey, butter and sugar in a pot and gently warm until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns golden brown. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Mix flour with cocoa, spices and lemon zest.

2. 2.

   Transfer to a bowl and press a well into the center. Add egg, honey mixture and baking soda dissolved in 1 tbsp cold water into the well and mix with an electric hand mixer until smooth and elastic.

3. 3.

   Cover dough and rest at room temperature for one day. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) fan or conventional heat. Roll dough on floured surface to about 3–4 mm thickness and cut circles of 3 cm diameter.

4. 4.

   Place circles on a baking sheet lined with parchment, brush with milk and top each with half an almond. Bake in preheated oven for about 15–18 minutes. Remove and cool on a wire rack.