Lebkuchen

Directions

1. 1
   For the cookies:
2. 2
   Boil sugar, honey and butter in a pot for 5 minutes. Make sure the sugar is completely dissolved. Let the mixture cool slightly.
3. 3
   Sift the dry ingredients into a separate bowl.
4. 4
   Using a mixer, beat together the egg and water. Beat in the dry ingredients and the boiled honey/sugar mixture, alternating wet and dry. Stir in the chopped nuts and chopped citron.
5. 5
   The dough will be very thin and sticky. Cover the dough and let it sit overnight in the refrigerator.
6. 6
   The next day, roll out the dough on a floured surface to be 1/4-inch thick. Use your favorite holiday cookie cutters (circles, starts, hearts) to cut out the cookies.
7. 7
   Bake on a cookie sheet lined with parchment for 15 minutes at 350°F. Break the cookie apart to make sure the dough is cooked all the way through. Let cookies cool for 20 minutes before icing them.
8. 8
   For the icing:
9. 9
   Sift powdered sugar into a small bowl and add water 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking as you go until the consistency is just right. Use a pastry brush and brush the icing over the cooled cookies. Let the icing set for at least 10 minutes.
10. 10
    Package in your favorite holiday packaging and give some to your neighbors for some holiday cheer!