Aachener Printen are hard, spiced German biscuits from Aachen that are traditionally linked with gingerbread.
The specialty developed in Aachen and is made from a firm dough flavored with spices such as cinnamon, anise, clove, cardamom, and coriander. Some versions also contain nuts, candied peel, or sugar decorations. The biscuits may be plain, chocolate-coated, or shaped for seasonal sales.
Printen are especially associated with Christmas markets and Aachen’s confectionery tradition. Their dough is characteristically less like a soft cake and more like a dense, crisp biscuit, although some modern varieties are softer.
Aachener Printen are related to the wider European gingerbread family, but the protected regional name identifies the Aachen specialty. They are not simply another name for all German Lebkuchen.