• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
All Tastes German
  • All Recipes
  • Christmas
  • Oktoberfest
  • Shop
  • Login
  • Contact Us
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • Christmas
  • Oktoberfest
  • Shop
  • Login
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • Christmas
    • Oktoberfest
    • Shop
    • Login
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » German Cookie Recipes

    Magenbrot - German Gingerbread Bites

    Published: Feb 27, 2018 · Modified: Nov 15, 2022 by Angela Schofield · 9 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Magenbrot is a German gingerbread specialty that you can find at the German Christmas markets and at carnivals and fairs like the famous Oktoberfest.

    With this easy recipe, you can make these delicious cookies in no time at home. And to be honest, it is so much better than anything bought at a fair. These cookies are wonderful with a cup of hot chocolate or a mug of gluhwein.

    Magenbrot on white plate.

    You should definitely check out my German Christmas advent calendar if you're a fan of German Christmas foods. I am pretty sure that you'll find some delicious new treats that everyone in your family will enjoy.

    Jump to:
    • Gingerbread Without Ginger?
    • German Fairground Gingerbread
    • Ingredients & Substitutes
    • Instructions
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • How to Serve
    • Recipe

    Gingerbread Without Ginger?

    Perhaps you're wondering why there's no ginger in this recipe for German gingerbread bites. The reason for this is simple to explain. In past centuries, ginger and pepper were used as a synonym for all spices. And Gingerbread is the English translation of both Lebkuchen and Pfefferkuchen. These German gingerbread specialties are distinct from their American counterparts, so the translation doesn't quite work but is still used. Despite the absence of ginger in many of these German recipes, the English translation often refers to them as gingerbread.

    Magenbrot in paper bags in a German Fairground booth.

    German Fairground Gingerbread

    Gingerbread and honey cake have a long tradition in Germany, their history goes back to the middle ages. But the first recipes for Magenbrot did not appear in German cookbooks until the 1940s.

    Magenbrot literally translated “Stomach Bread” belongs to German fairgrounds like beer and roasted almonds. Magenbrot contains many spices that support digestion. This stomach-friendly spice mixture probably owes its name to this gingerbread specialty.

    How to pronounce "Magenbrot" the correct way in German?

    Listen to this audio file to hear how to say "Magenbrot" the right way.

    Click the play button to listen to the audio file.

    Ingredients & Substitutes

    You likely already have all the ingredients you need to make this delicious Magenbrot.

    Ingredients for Magenbrot: flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, butter, lemon juice, ground cloves, ground cardamom, ground cinnamon, eggs, and sugar.
    • Flour - unbleached all-purpose flour is your best choice for these cookies.
    • Sugar - I use granulated sugar for the dough and powdered sugar for the glaze. You can also substitute honey for the sugar in the dough.
    • Baking Powder - Baking powder acts as a leavening agent in this recipe. It should not be replaced by baking soda.
    • Eggs -The eggs ensure that your dough will be nice and soft. I usually use large eggs in my baking recipes.
    • Cocoa Powder - unsweetened natural cocoa powder gives these cookies a wonderful hint of chocolate.
    • Butter - I always prefer real butter. The cookies will taste much better. But you can substitute margarine if you prefer.
    • Spices - cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and nutmeg give these cookies their distinctive flavor. Traditionally, there is no ginger in this recipe but you can add some if you prefer. I usually use these spices as a powder, but you could grind them if you have whole spices.
    • Lemon Juice - A tart-sweet glaze created by combining powdered sugar and lemon juice gives the cookies an incredible flavor boost.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    To start, preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.

    Preparing Magenbrot dough by mixing flour, butter, cocoa powder and spices in a large stand mixer bowl.

    Divide the dough into six equal parts. Roll each piece of dough into a 1-inch-diameter rope.

    Place 3 ropes on each baking sheet and bake for 10–15 minutes.

    Mixing powdered sugar in a red bowl with lemon juice for glazing Magenbrot.

    In the meantime, mix powdered sugar with lemon juice.

    Cutting Magenbrot into diagonal pieces.

    Cut the cookie ropes diagonally into 1-inch pieces. Allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets.

    Store in an airtight container or cookie tin.

    German gingerbread bites called Magenbrot in German on a white plate on a white wooden board.

    Equipment

    To prepare this treat, you will need these kitchen utensils.

    • large mixing bowl and spatula OR
    • stand mixer with kneading hook
    • measuring cups and spoons
    • two baking sheet
    • silicone mat or parchment paper
    • knife
    • small bowl
    • pastry brush

    Storage

    Magenbrot cookies should be soft and tender. Therefore, you should store them in airtight containers or cookie jars. If you bought them on a fair or Christmas market in Germany, you might got some hard and dry ones, as they are stored on an open display or paper bags. Baking them from scratch will surprise you pleasantly if you had a bad experience.

    German Christmas market.

    How to Serve

    These fairground treats are eaten as a sweet snack at German fairgrounds. But they are also very popular at the German Christmas markets. Add them to your Christmas cookie plate and enjoy them with a mug of Glühwein (German mulled wine), hot tea, or a decadently cup of rich German cocoa.

    Recipe

    Magenbrot on white plate.

    Magenbrot - German Gingerbread Bites

    Angela Schofield
    Magenbrot is a German gingerbread specialty that is very popular at fairgrounds but also an amazing treat at German Christmas markets.
    4.88 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Share on Facebook Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Cookies
    Cuisine German
    Servings 50 Cookies
    Calories 98 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    Dough:

    • 3 ½ cups flour
    • 1 cup soft butter
    • 1 ¼ cups sugar
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 tsp. baking powder
    • 2 tbsp. cocoa powder
    • 1 tsp. cinnamon
    • ½ tsp. ground cloves
    • ½ tsp. ground cardamom
    • ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg

    Glaze:

    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 2 tbsp. lemon juice

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
    • Put all the dough ingredients into a large bowl and knead until you have a smooth dough.
    • Divide the dough into six equal parts.Roll each piece of dough into a 1-inch-diameter rope.
    • Place 3 ropes on each baking sheet and bake for 10–15 minutes.
    • For the glaze mix powdered sugar and the lemon juice.
    • Brush the glaze on the logs immediately after taking them out of the oven.
    • Cut the cookie ropes diagonally into 1-inch pieces and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheets.
    • Store in airtight containers or cookie tins.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Yield: 1 CookieCalories: 98kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 7gNet Carbohydrates: 14g
    Keyword authentic, easy
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More German Cookie Recipes

    • Assorted Rumkugeln aka German rum balls on a white and gold Christmas plate.
      German Rum Balls - Rumkugeln
    • German Easter cookies on a black cooling rack
      German Easter Cookies - Quarkblumen
    • Yeast dough bunnies with Easter decoration
      German Easter Bread Bunnies
    • Homemade Black Forest chocolate truffles sprinkled with chopped nuts and white chocolate drizzle.
      Black Forest Chocolate Truffles

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Henny says

      December 12, 2019 at 2:05 pm

      It’s delicious it reminds of home

      Reply
      • Angela Schofield says

        December 12, 2019 at 2:23 pm

        That´s wonderful. Where are you from?

        Reply
    2. sandi says

      October 13, 2022 at 10:35 pm

      hello, should there be ginger in this recipe?

      Reply
      • Angela Schofield says

        October 16, 2022 at 2:25 pm

        "Ginger" was just a word for "spice" in the old days like "pepper". In other countries the word for gingerbread is pepper cake but there is most of the times no pepper in the recipe. But if you want to alter the recipe you can add ginger.

        Reply
    3. Jessica says

      October 18, 2022 at 3:59 am

      Which type of cocoa is used in this recipe? Natural or Dutch-processed (processed with alkali)? Thanks.

      Reply
      • Angela Schofield says

        October 18, 2022 at 9:06 am

        I used natural cocoa powder for this recipe.

        Reply
    4. Paula McMahan says

      November 02, 2022 at 9:36 am

      How much ginger do you use?

      Reply
      • Angela Schofield says

        November 02, 2022 at 11:40 am

        Hi Paula, Thanks for the question. There is no ginger in Magenbrot, even the name "gingerbread" might indicate the use of ginger in a recipe. In ancient times, the words ginger and pepper were used as synonyms for what we call spice today. This is why you will find that a lot of authentic, old recipes don´t add ginger or pepper to a recipe that might sound like it should have these spices as ingredients. But if you personally like the taste, there is no harm in adding some. But I can assure you that it is delicious as is. I hope that helps. Have a great day, Angela

        Reply

    Join the Conversation Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Angela framed by German landscape

    Guten Tag, I'm Angela,
    Herzlich willkommen! I'm glad you've stopped by.

    It is a joy to share with you some of my all-time favorite authentic German recipes and tell you a little bit about the cultural background of my home country, Germany.

    More about me →

    Latest Recipes

    • Brotchen on a baking rost.
      Brötchen - Authentic German Bread Rolls
    • Rahmspinat with fried eggs on a white plate.
      Rahmspinat - German Creamed Spinach From Frozen
    • Maultaschen with caramelized onions and potato salad on a white plate.
      Maultaschen - Authentic German Recipe
    • Zwiebel rostbraten on a plate with noodles and onion gravy.
      Zwiebel Rostbraten - German Onion Steak

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Legal

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About

    Copyright © 2022 AS Consulting / All Tastes German