Lekach is one of the symbolically significant foods traditionally eaten by Ashkenazi Jews at Rosh Hashanah in hopes of ensuring a sweet New Year.

In the 11th century, a type of strongly spiced thick cake made from breadcrumbs and honey, resembling panforte, became popular in Italy.

The earliest known record in a Jewish source of a cake called lekach, from the Middle High German lecke, 'to lick',[5] was in the Medieval ages in Sefer ha-Rokeach by Eleazar ben Judah of Worms, Germany.

[1] Many Ashkenazi versions by the 13th century were influenced by or based on Lebkuchen or Honigkuchen (honey cake) recipes found in Germany.

[3] Such heavily spiced cakes, analogous to the English gingerbread, became popular all over medieval Europe in communities of all religions, especially during important feasts and holidays.