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An especially spicy rectangular-shaped biscuit
Basel’s cuisine is known for having so many sweet treats that you’d almost think you were snacking all day. Among the city’s most iconic cookies are the Läckerli: small, square-shaped cookies dating back to the 17th century, made with honey, hazelnuts, almonds, candied fruit, spices and a good deal of know-how. Over the course of four centuries, the production of Läckerli has evolved to include a wide range of unique-tasting cookies.
After a tumultuous history involving a fight between widows and confectioners, the making of Läckerli has been considered a “free art” since 1720, which is why a visit to the cultural capital of Switzerland goes hand in hand with a gentle immersion in the world of confectionery. A visit to the factory, the history of Läckerli, exhibitions, a confectionery workshop: there are so many fun activities to enjoy in this world of sweetness.
Bite down on the spicy world of the Basel Läckerli!
Additional information
Plan your visits
Jakob's Basler Leckerly, Wilhelm His-Strasse, Vorstädte, Basel, Basel-Stadt, 4031, Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera/Svizra
What is the Basler Läckerli?
A bit of history
The Läckerli quarrel
In the 18th century, the Basel Läckerli were already very popular. The production of Läckerli provided an important income for widows, but the confectioners did not appreciate this unwanted competition. In the copyright dispute, the widows finally won their case: since 1720, the making of Läckerli has been considered a “free art” open to all. The production of Läckerli intensified in the first half of the 19th century, when there were about 20 producers in the Basel region.
Over the years, the Basler Läckerli has found some company: variants with a particularly strong honey or almond flavour or with chocolate coating have been added to the classic sugar glaze. Freshly baked Läckerli can be purchased at Jakob’s Basler Leckerly, Läckerli Huus, Confiserie Bachmann and at the Stadtcasino Tourist Office on Barfüsserplatz. Tours and tastings are offered at Jakob’s Basler Leckerly and at Läckerli Huus.
Production of Basler Läckerli
The process for making them is challenging, at least for amateur pastry chefs. It is best to think of the kneading and cutting of the dough as a fitness program.
To make traditional Läckerli, honey and sugar are heated and mixed with flour, almonds, candied lemon, candied orange, nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves, grated lemon peel, salt, and kirsch. This mixture is lowered and briefly cooked before being covered with sugar and water. The dough is then cut into the typical square shape of the Läckerli with a cutter.
The cookies are then delicately placed in a box… before being thoroughly enjoyed by you!
Läckerli or Leckerly?
Over time, every conceivable spelling has been used, including “Läggerli” and most often “Leckerli”. The “ä” is closest to the original pronunciation, while the “-ly” ending comes from English; Anglicisms were considered particularly fashionable in the late 19th century.
Important dates to remember
11th century: Eastern spices arrive in Switzerland. The monasteries make gingerbread from honey and spices. By the end of the Middle Ages, gingerbread making spreads to the cities.
15th century: The profession of gingerbread maker appears in Switzerland.
17th century: A great variety of gingerbread exists and extends from eastern Switzerland to the French parts of Switzerland. This is also the period when the first recipes for Läckerli appear in cookbooks.
19th century: In the first half of the 19th century, the mass production of Basel Läckerli began. There were many producers at the time.
Today: There are still 3 large Läckerli manufacturers in the Basel area. It is possible to visit the factories and taste the products, especially at Jakob’s Basler Leckerly and at Läckerli Huus.
Pascal Steffen’s recipe
While Läckerli are perfect for themselves as a sweet treat at any time of the day, they can also be used to add taste and crunch to recipes both sweet and savoury.
Pascal Steffen, Chef at the Restaurant Roots, has created a recipe especially for the project. Discover the video and reproduce the recipe at home!
Knödel with candied cherries and Basel Läckerli
Regional actors
