Soft Honey Gingerbread Cookies (Hungarian Mézeskalács) – Ready in 8 Minutes
- artisanistshop
- 15 hours ago
- 4 min read
There is no real Christmas in Hungary without a big box of mézeskalács on the table. These soft honey gingerbread cookies are the first thing I bake when the holiday season starts – and this year I also made them for our school bake sale.
They are nut-free, easy to make, and bake in just 8 minutes, which makes them perfect for busy December days. A simple dough, a few festive cookie cutters, and suddenly your whole kitchen smells like Christmas.
In this post I’ll show you my family’s version of Hungarian honey gingerbread – the same style we grew up with – plus a few tips on how to decorate and gift them for teachers, friends, and neighbors.
Why You’ll Love These Honey Gingerbread Cookies
Soft, not rock hard – they stay pleasantly soft when stored in a box.
Quick to bake – only 8 minutes in the oven.
Perfect for kids & bake sales – no nuts, simple ingredients, easy to pack.
Make ahead friendly – they keep well for weeks.
Traditional Hungarian flavor – warm spices, real honey, and a lot of love.
Ingredients
For about 3 large trays of cookies:
500 g all-purpose flour
~100 ml honey (liquid, not solid)
150 g powdered sugar
2 tsp gingerbread spice mix(or a mix of cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg)
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
150 g butter (or margarine), at room temperature
Optional for decorating:
1 egg white
150 g powdered sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp lemon juice
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the dry mixture
In a large bowl, whisk together:
Flour
Baking soda
Gingerbread spice mix
This helps to distribute the baking soda and spices evenly in the dough.
2. Rub in the butter
Add the soft butter to the flour mixture.Use your fingertips to rub it into the flour until you get a crumbly texture.
3. Add the wet ingredients
Add:
Eggs
Powdered sugar
Honey (start with about 80–100 ml, you can adjust slightly if needed)
Knead everything together until you get a smooth, soft dough that doesn’t stick to your hands. If it feels too dry, add a tiny bit more honey. If it’s too sticky, dust with a bit of flour.
4. Rest the dough
Form the dough into a ball, wrap it, and let it rest for at least 20–30 minutes at room temperature. This makes it easier to roll out and improves the texture.
5. Roll and cut
Lightly flour your work surface.
Roll the dough out to about 4 mm thickness.
Cut out shapes with your favorite Christmas cookie cutters: stars, hearts, trees, angels, anything you love.
Place the cookies on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake
Bake in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F), fan for about 8 minutes.
They should be slightly puffed and just starting to color at the edges. Don’t overbake – they will firm up as they cool.
Let them cool completely on a rack before decorating or packing.
Simple Icing for Decorating (Optional)
If you want to decorate the cookies like classic mézeskalács:
Whisk 1 egg white until foamy.
Gradually mix in 150 g powdered sugar and 1 tbsp cornstarch.
Add 1 tsp lemon juice for shine and a smooth texture.
Transfer to a piping bag with a small round tip (or a small plastic bag with a tiny hole cut in the corner).
Pipe lines, dots, hearts, snowflakes, names – let your creativity play.Allow the icing to dry completely before stacking or packing the cookies.
How to Store & Gift These Cookies
Store the cooled cookies in a metal tin or airtight box at room temperature.
They stay delicious for 2–3 weeks (if they last that long!).
For gifts, you can:
Pack them into clear bags with a ribbon.
Arrange them in a Christmas box together with other cookies like Hókifli.
Add a small printed recipe card or handwritten note for a personal touch.
They are perfect for:
Teachers
Neighbors
Friends and coworkers
School bake sales and Christmas markets
Tips & Variations
Spice level: If you like stronger flavor, add extra cinnamon or ginger.
Orange twist: Add some grated orange zest to the dough for a citrus note.
Milk-free version: Use a good quality margarine instead of butter.
Kid activity: Let children help with cutting shapes and decorating – it’s a great family tradition.
Watch the Video
If you want to see exactly how I make these cookies, step by step, watch my short video where I show the full process from dough to baked mézeskalács.
Want More Hungarian Christmas Recipes?
If you enjoyed these Honey Gingerbread Cookies, don’t miss:
Hókifli – Soft Vanilla Crescent Cookies (perfect for gifting)
My Christmas Baking Series with more traditional Hungarian recipes and cookie gift box ideas.
Follow my Christmas journey and fill your home with real Hungarian flavors. 🎄❤️
Comments