Lebkuchengewürz (German Gingerbread Spice)
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
THE essential ingredient to authentic tasting Lebkuchen, Pfeffernüsse and more, absolutely NOTHING compares to the bold and vibrant flavor of homemade Lebkuchengewürz! The fragrance and flavor of this German gingerbread spice will make you think you’re walking the streets of one of Germany’s famous Christmas markets!
What is Lebkuchengewürz?
Many of you will have no idea what this is. Others of you will be cheering because you know exactly what it is and what it’s for. Lebkuchen Gewürz is a German gingerbread spice blend with an exceptionally beautiful depth and complexity of flavor. It’s unrivaled by anything comparable. Lebkuchengewurz an essential ingredient for a variety of German baked goods during the Christmas season, most notably Lebkuchen and Pfeffernüsse.
For those of you who are familiar Lebkuchengewürz and live outside of Germany or western Europe, you’ll know how nearly impossible it is to find it. And if you do, it’s expensive and often just not very good. Non-German brands try their best to replicate it but just don’t get the flavor profile correct. And if you do find a German brand it’s the same story as with all pre-ground spice blends: Once spices have been ground their oils evaporate very quickly and they lose flavor. And the longer they’ve been sitting around (in the warehouse, then at the store, then in your cupboard), the more flavor they lose.
BUT, if you want a cheaper option (if you use the spices in your cooking anyway) AND, most importantly, a superior flavor (if you buy whole spices and grind them yourself), this recipe is for you!
Now, I know what you may be thinking: I don’t want to buy all of those spices just to make this Lebkuchen-Gewürz and then the rest goes to waste! NOT TRUE!
Most of these spices have sooooo many different uses for a wide variety of cuisines. For example, I can think of one cuisine that regularly uses every single one of these spices: Indian. Need some great Indian recipes? I’ve got you covered! Some Great Indian Recipes.
And of course you’re not just limited to Indian food, these spices are super duper versatile. Just type in their names one at a time into the search box above or Google them and see what you find!
What Spices Are in Lebkuchengewürz?
Some of these spices you can find in your local grocery stores but many you won’t. Most good health food stores will though. And again, if at all possible go for the whole spices so you can grind your own for better flavor.
If you don’t have a well-stocked health store nearby, Amazon is a great place to find all of these spices and at a reasonable cost. You can buy pre-ground but I always buy whole spices and grind them myself in a coffee/spice grinder for a far superior flavor for any dish I’m making. Here’s what you’ll need (and don’t cut corners and leave anything out because each of these spices plays an important role):
Lebkuchengewürz Recipe
Whether using pre-ground or grinding your own as pictured below in a coffee/spice grinder, you simply combine the ingredients together.
Keep the Lebkuchengewürz stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place and use it within a few months.
For best flavor though, only make what you need for a period of a week or two because the flavors will dissipate over time.
That’s it! Your Lebkuchengewürz is ready to use.
Enjoy!
For more phenomenal homemade spice blends be sure to try our:
- British Mixed Spice
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Greek Seasoning
- Old Bay Seasoning
- Curry Powder
- Creole Seasoning
- Garam Masala
- Dukkah
- Za’atar
- Chinese Five Spice
- Chili Powder
- Montreal Steak Seasoning
- Poultry Seasoning
- Seasoned Salt
- Berbere
Save This Recipe
Enter your email address and we’ll send it straight to your inbox!
Lebkuchengewürz (German Gingerbread Spice)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground star anise
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mace
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Combine the spices together and store in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place. Best if used within 3 months.Note: For superior flavor results, use whole spices and toast and grind them. Simply heat a dry skillet over medium heat and toast the spices until very fragrant. Be careful not to scorch the spices or they will become bitter. Let them cool completely and then grind them to powder in a spice/coffee grinder or use a mortar and pestle.Makes about 1/4 cup.
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet December 3, 2015
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
Thanks for the recipe!
I’d like to just throw all the spices in and grind them together, like I do when making garam masala or curry powder. Do you have the amounts to use of whole spices?
Hi Pat! I don’t, I normally just eyeball it knowing that whole will yield a higher volume of ground. Curry and garam masala: I’ve been making my own for years as well and nothing – nothing – compares to freshly ground blends!
Be careful grinding some of the harder spices in a spice or coffee grinder. I live in the US & I chewed up the inside of my plastic-topped spice grinder when I tried to grind cinnamon sticks & star anise. I use a microplane for nutmeg as it too is difficult to grind in a spice grinder but the flavor really suffers if you use pre-ground. Nowadays I stick to either using the spices whole (like when I’m making Indian masalas) or using pre-ground and toasting it for a few seconds to wake up the flavor.
I adore fresh-ground spice blends! I am adding this one to my list. There’s nothing cooler than casually mentioning that you made your own fresh-ground spice blend (especially the ones where you lightly roast the spices first) when having a random conversation with a shopper in the baking aisle.
That’s so true, Rachiti! Spice-grinding snobs unite! :) And I agree, nothing beats freshly ground. The spice grinder I use and recommended here has lasted me for over 10 years and I grind everything in it except for nutmeg. Yes, it broke out a couple of the little plastic pieces but they served no function really other than appearance anyway and it hasn’t effected the performance of the grinder at all. It’s been a fantastic spice grinder, especially for the price.
I am in Germany right now and have had my first lebkuchen. I was amazed at the flavor! Now I know the secret! I will make these when I get home. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Congrats, Janet! :) Yes, Lebkuchengewürz is absolutely essential to making Lebkuchen and a few other traditional German goodies. Since you’re in Germany you can easily pick up some Lebkuchengewürz from the store to bring back with you if you’d rather save yourself the time of making it. I’d still recommend making it yourself sometime though, this blend is wonderfully fragrant and flavorful. Enjoy the rest of your time in Germany!
I love Lebkuchen cookies!! But I always buy them (and not easy to find them here…) I would love to try to make them at home!
Wonderful recipe and as a cinnamon lover I would love to make this today!Thanks for
sharing this recipe.:)
This is genius! Of course this is a better idea than buying the super expensive packets online, plus there’s the satisfaction of knowing you made it yourself and I love that! I’m not a big spice person, but my mother is all over all the German cakes and desserts that have this type of spice blend. I may make her some for Christmas! Thanks for the wonderful idea and recipe!
Yesss!! I made lebkuchen a couple of years ago, but I can’t find the recipe I used (I assume/hope that is one of the upcoming recipes :)) I will definitely be trying this soon.
It is indeed one of the upcoming recipes, Mallory! :) Stay tuned!
I love finding recipes like this one!