THE essential ingredient to authentic tasting Lebkuchen, Pfeffernüsse and more, absolutely NOTHING compares to the bold and vibrant flavors of homemade Lebkuchengewürz! This 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!
Which 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
Lebkuchengewürz (German Gingerbread Spice)
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground green 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.
- 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.
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet December 3, 2015
Laurie says
Step two for the spice mixture suggests that for superior flavor one should grind the spices from toasted and freshly ground whole spices.
I can find no instruction for toasting the spices.
So I am wondering if you might give the oven temperature and the toasting time.
I plan on making this type of Lebkuchen this year.
Thank you ever so much!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Laurie, sorry for not providing clarification. To toast the spices you just need to heat a dry skillet over medium heat, add the whole spices and toast them until they’re very fragrant. Be careful not to scorch the spices or they will become bitter.
Kim Cochran says
Thanks so much for answering so soon. I will def try my hand at this recipe when I get some almond meal or grind my own I have some almonds..thanks again.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
You bet, Kim, let us know how it turns out!
Gudrun says
Bob’s Red Mill sells almond meal and flour. It freezes well, too. Just go to their website directly. I use for marzipan,
kim says
Hello. Ive never been to Germany. I bought some pefferneuse at a grocery store here that imports sometimes at the holiday. FELL IN LOVE. Buy them whenever I see them. Tried like mad to find a recipe 2yrs ago..Researched. Found one. Spent money I couldn’t afford to buy to make these..including the chilling the dough 24hr(don’t think was your recipe) Epic fail. They were too doughy and melty and didn’t cook but spread. I ate all that mess. But they were supp to be gifts. Last yr the store didn’t import any I was depressed. I wrote the store. They said would have this yr. Just found some. Bags and cookies are smaller but still same. Nothing like them in the world tho they are a bit stale. No doubt I would flip over fresh ones. However I decided to research this again. Led me to this. Looked up the lebkuchengewurz..amazon out of stock. SO I looked at the ingredients..it lists ”pimento”. It is only dawning on me this second could this be pepper? This was my question cause you didn’t mention pimento..and I was thinking red pepper pimento what the heck and knew it had to mean something else? Also in my prev yrs research I noticed some recipes have orange added–some brandy(which I tried-and I don’t drink). I passed up the ones w orange added but now I wonder if these cookies do seem to have a citrus backnote. It is winternacht pefferneuse to which I refer. But one thing I had not recognized before was almond meal..but yourpics look exactly like the little cookies that drive me wild. SO. I have cardamom but it is ground and I have whole allspice, whole nutmeg, and well all these spices as they are my fav spices. What do you say is def have to for the recipe besides this spice mix? thank you
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Kim, here is a very authentic recipe for traditional Pfeffernüsse: https://www.daringgourmet.com/pfeffernuesse-german-iced-gingerbread-cookies/. Yes, almond meal is traditionally included for both flavor and texture. There’s no citrus is traditional Pfeffernüsse, there is however citrus in Nürnberger Elisenlebkuchen (which, like Pfeffernüsse, is another type of Lebkuchen): https://www.daringgourmet.com/traditional-nuernberger-elisenlebkuchen-german-lebkuchen/. The “piment” is German for allspice, so it sounds like you’re all set go. Happy baking! :)
Deborah Darnell says
I did 3 yrs in Nurnberg Germany in the US Army and I loved the Lebkucken so much I purchased many german cookbooks that were translated to english and I do have the recipie packed cuz I’m moving soon. to everyone out there if you ever have a chance to go to germany you must. They have a Christmas store you can purchase wooden handmade ornaments all yr long. Plus it is just a beautiful place to see!!!
I’m going to make this spice a lot. However, I must tell you that the Grmans say the longer you keep the cookies the more the spice gets into the cookie and makes them taste better.
Matt says
I like a stronger ginger taste to my Pfeffernüsse so I doubled the ginger, I also couldn’t get Mace where I am so I substituted it with All Spice.
It a good easy recipe to follow same with Pfeffernüsse one.
I do hate it when people give things 5 stars because they think the recipe looks good but never make it. Comment sure no problem but don’t give it stars if you haven’t made it.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Thanks, Matt, I’m so glad you enjoyed them!
Matthias says
Hi Kimberly
had a recipe for Lebkuchen and could not buy the Lebkuechengewuerz but luckily found your blog online. I applied it and the flavor is amazing!
I did not had a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle but reused a manual pepper grinder. I had to chop the spices first to get smaller pieces and did the rest in the pepper grinder. Worked perfectly.
I used the spice also to make a ‘Lebuchen’ flavored chai latte. Tastes great!
Thanks a lot! I will have a look at others of you German recipes.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Matthias, thanks so much!
Matt says
5 Stars – Absolutely awesome recipe! I always have my pantry stocked with all the spices so yes, fresh ground spices is epic! I had to make a second (double) batch because the 1st batch didn’t last until the event I was taking them to! Hahah
Om nom nom!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Fantastic, Matt, thanks so much!
Tricia Fjord says
Oh, the aroma! Made a batch of this yesterday and am now using this spice blend to make your recipe for Pfeffernüsse – absolutely amazing!
Karen S says
Which of the spices do you toast before you grind them? And for how long? I have never ground fresh spices for baking. Thank you!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Karen, I usually toast all of them as whole spices except for the ginger, mace and nutmeg. You would heat up a clean, dry pan over medium heat, put the spices in it and toast them for a few minutes, just until they become very fragrant. The important thing is not to scorch/burn them or they’ll turn very bitter.
Pamela Friedler says
I had these tasty treats this summer while we were in Germany and LOVED them. I have heard that this many bakers make this dough up a month ahead and let it sit in the fridge to ripen. Have you ever done this?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Pamela! You can do that, yes, but more commonly you store the baked Lebkuchen in airtight tins for a couple or more weeks to let the flavors fully develop. I hope you get the chance to make these – nothing beats homemade Lebkuchen!
Joe Wernicke says
Do you use fresh ginger, or dried/ground? Will the moisture of fresh ginger be a problem?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Joe, this is a dry spice mix so yes, you’ll want to use dried/ground ginger.
Natalie Loftus says
Oh, the aroma is heavenly beyond words! I finished gathering all the spices and made this gingerbread spice and then used it to make your Pfeffernuesse. I can’t even describe the aroma that filled my kitchen. And then I took a bite of the cookies….swoon….THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, Natalie, thank you!
Alex Silva says
Hi Kimberly ! How do you grind your cinnamon sticks ? Thanks.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Alex, I grind them in the spice grinder that I refer to in this post. I break the sticks into a few pieces and they grind very easily.
frances henry says
thanks.. I’ve tried Germandeli.com and they are out of stock but I’ve filled in their form to notify me when they have the 70mm oblaten again…
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Oh goodness, go figure, right? Well, I’m glad you found a source in any case and hope they refill their stock well before Christmas. Good luck, Frances!
Frances Henry says
And, even the small ones take 2-3 weeks to ship from Germany.. so more customs duty!