Shopping for holiday treats ought to be exciting! But the deluge of online information can be overwhelming. We’ve gathered 7 tips to help you navigate the process of buying lebkuchen in the U.S.
1. UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LEBKUCHEN
The term "lebkuchen" covers a wide range of baked goods, which we explain on our Lebkuchen 101 page. Leckerlee’s lebkuchen falls in the category of Oblaten Lebkuchen, which has a white, edible wafer called a Backoblate on the bottom (hence the name) and includes nuts.
Leckerlee makes only the highest class of lebkuchen, Nuremberg-style Lebkuchen, also known as Elisenlebkuchen.
While most large companies producing Nürnberger Lebkuchen, such as Lebkuchen Schmidt and Wicklein, use the minimum requirement of 25% nuts, Leckerlee boasts a 40% nut content, on par with the finest artisanal lebkuchen bakeries in Nuremberg.
If you’ve seen frosted lebkuchen hearts at Oktoberfest events—or stars or pretzels, sometimes with a fruit filling—you’ve encountered Braune Lebkuchen. Generally wheat-based and without a wafer bottom, this type of lebkuchen is less expensive than Oblaten Lebkuchen, due to its lack of nuts.
2. CONSIDER SMALL-BATCH VS. MASS PRODUCTION
Amazon, World Market, and other retailers typically sell mass-produced lebkuchen imported from Germany. Machines produce millions of lebkuchen per day, shipping to the U.S. in large loads, usually once during the holiday season. That means the lebkuchen is likely several months old by the time you eat it.
We bake our lebkuchen in small batches throughout the entire holiday season, so they arrive fresh. You'll taste the difference.
3. CHECK FOR INGREDIENT INTEGRITY
Always check the ingredient label before buying. Mass-produced lebkuchen often contain commercial ingredients such as persipan (a cheap substitute for marzipan made from apricot kernels), as well as other unnecessary additives like diglycerides and pyrophosphate. Many list sugar as the first ingredient.
Our first ingredient is almonds, grown on Californian farms committed to sustainable production. We source hazelnut flour from a family-owned Oregon business that is third-party audited for social responsibility. Our spices are cold-ground to preserve their natural oils and potency.
At Leckerlee, avoid preservatives and additives when possible, source key ingredients specifically to meet this requirement, and insist on aluminum-free baking powder. See our full ingredient list here.
4. THINK ABOUT PACKAGING
While packaging is secondary to the lebkuchen itself, we honor the historical and artistic legacy of lebkuchen tins.
Every year, Leckerlee designs tins in an impressive range of illustration styles, making the holidays and gift-giving special. Our tins are heavyweight, beautifully embossed, and crafted to last, evoking a level of quality that stands apart from disposable packaging.
We intend them to be small objects of art that remain part of the home long after the lebkuchen is gone.
5. COMPARE PRICES
Nut content, weight, and ingredient quality all factor into value. Mass-produced brands may cost less but often use fewer nuts and lower-grade ingredients.
Leckerlee’s prices reflect small-batch baking, premium ingredients, and collectible presentation.
While more expensive than imported, mass-produced brands, we believe our lebkuchen offers fair value for a superior product.
6. CHECK OUT REVIEWS
We believe Leckerlee lebkuchen is the highest-quality lebkuchen you can buy in the U.S., backed by our 100% money-back guarantee.
Don’t take our word for it! Check out some of the accolades we’ve received over the years from Ruth Reichl, Saveur magazine, and more, as well as verified customer reviews collected over the past decade.
7. STAY IN TOUCH
We offer special promotions and giveaways throughout the holiday season, many exclusive to our email list. Sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss them.
First-time customer? Email info@leckerlee.com for a welcome discount on your first purchase.
We’d be delighted to have you join the thousands of customers who order our freshly baked lebkuchen year after year.
Ready to buy some Leckerlee lebkuchen?
