Lebkuchen

Method

• step 1

  Warm the honey and butter together in a small pan until combined.

• step 2

  Put the remaining ingredients, except the icing sugar, in a bowl, and pour over the melted butter. Combine until a sticky dough forms, wrap in baking paper then chill for 1 hour.

• step 3

  Heat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured worksurface to 1cm thick, then cut into 5cm biscuits using heart, star or round cookie cutters. Transfer to baking-paper-lined trays with a little space around each one, and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden and risen slightly. Cool completely on a wire rack.

• step 4

  Mix the icing sugar with 5 tsp of water to make a smooth icing, and spoon over the top of each biscuit. Leave to set for 1 hour. They will keep in an airtight container for up to four days, or wrap in recyclable gift bags to give as presents.