Old German-Polish Recipe for Lebkuchen (Christmas Cookies)

½ cup butter

1 ½ cups white sugar

1 cup honey

6 cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

½ cup water

2 eggs, beaten

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in sugar and honey. Bring to a boil; let cool, about 10 minutes.

Whisk flour, cinnamon, and cloves together in a bowl.

Mix baking soda and water together in a bowl; stir into butter mixture. Mix in eggs. Add flour-spice mixture; stir until dough is combined. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Roll dough out; cut into cookies and place on a baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.