The Story of Lebkuchen Schmidt: A Nuremberg Tradition

What began with a railway car full of Lebkuchen became one of Germany’s most enduring Christmas traditions. For nearly a century, Lebkuchen Schmidt has brought the taste of Nuremberg to families around the world—first by mail, and today through an extraordinary collection of gingerbread, keepsake tins, and festive chests.

A railway car, a challenge, and a clever idea

In 1926, Franz Schmidt sent his brother, E. Otto Schmidt, an entire railway car filled with Lebkuchen that he had received as payment from a customer. Otto suddenly faced a considerable challenge: how could he sell so much gingerbread?

His solution was remarkably modern. He assembled the Lebkuchen into attractive assortments, advertised them directly to customers, and shipped the packages to homes throughout Germany. The response .was so enthusiastic that one year later he began producing Lebkuchen himself

From a small Nuremberg bakery to a celebrated maker

In 1927, production began in a small bakery in Nuremberg with just ten employees working in about 50 square meters. Roughly 150 packages left the bakery each day, carried by trolley to the post office.

The business grew quickly. By 1930–31, Lebkuchen Schmidt employed around 150 people and produced approximately 35,000 packages each season. After wartime destruction halted production, the company rebuilt and continued the family tradition in Nuremberg.

What makes genuine Nuremberg Lebkuchen special?

Lebkuchen is much more than ordinary gingerbread. Traditional Nuremberg varieties are known for their tender texture, aromatic spices, honey, almonds and other nuts, candied citrus peel, and finishes of sugar glaze or chocolate.

The name Nürnberger Lebkuchen is also protected. Genuine Nürnberger Lebkuchen may only be produced within the city limits of Nuremberg—a connection between place and tradition that Lebkuchen Schmidt has maintained since its earliest days.

Among the most prized varieties is Elisen-Lebkuchen, celebrated for its generous proportion of nuts and its rich, soft texture. It is the style many enthusiasts consider the finest expression of Nuremberg Lebkuchen.

The Festive Chest: a tradition made for sharing

The Lebkuchen Schmidt Festive Chest 2026 brings the breadth of this tradition together in one remarkable gift. The embossed collectible metal chest features historic Nuremberg artwork and holds 13 German Christmas specialties.

Inside are the 2026 Walnut Elisen with Maple Syrup, classic glazed Elisen-Lebkuchen, Nuremberg Christmas Market Stollen, Spekulatius, cinnamon stars, vanilla crescents, soft gingerbread, and other seasonal favorites. A nostalgic metal plate and motif guide complete the presentation.

It is designed for sharing with family, sending as an important holiday gift, and bringing back year after year as part of the Christmas season.

Pre-order the Festive Chest 2026

A piece of German Christmas culture

From one railway car and one inventive idea, Lebkuchen Schmidt grew into a name recognized far beyond Nuremberg. The scale has changed, but the pleasure remains wonderfully familiar: opening a package, sharing the first Lebkuchen, and welcoming the Christmas season.

Explore the complete Lebkuchen Schmidt 2026 collection at European Deli.

Historical information adapted from Lebkuchen Schmidt’s official company history.