Lebkuchengewürz is a traditional German spice blend commonly used in classic holiday baking, particularly in recipes such as gingerbread, pfeffernüsse, and lebkuchen. Warm, aromatic, and deeply cozy, lebkuchen gewürz combines cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and other spices that have been used for generations.
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You don't have to travel to Germany to get your hands on this wonderful Christmas spice blend. Lebkuchengewürz (pronounced LEHP-koo-khen-guh-vurts) is easy to make at home with simple pantry spices that you most likely already have on hand.
Making lebkuchengewürz from scratch is affordable and gives you full control over the flavor-plus, it makes your kitchen smell like a stroll through Germany's festive Christmas markets, no passport required!
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😍 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- You can't always find Lebkuchen Gewürz in local grocery stores, but you can purchase Lebkuchen Gewürz on Amazon for $30 for 4 ounces. 🙄 Luckily, it's easy to prepare with simple ingredients.
- You can make this German gingerbread spice blend using whole spices or ground, but whole is always better.
- The flavor of lebkuchengewürze is more intense and fresh when it's homemade and can be used to make these delicious pfeffernusse spice cookies.
🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
I highly recommend using fresh, whole spices for this spice blend. They deliver far more aroma and depth of flavor than pre-ground spices ever could.
- Cinnamon: Choose either cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon. I'm using ground cinnamon since I recently purchased a large quantity, and grinding cinnamon sticks can be a chore in my small spice grinder.
- Star Anise: You'll need two to three whole star anise.
- Anise Seeds: If you don't have anise seeds, you can substitute fennel seeds.
- Cardamom: Use whole pods, cardamom seeds, or ground cardamom.
- Ginger: Dried sliced ginger is rather pricy. I make it at home by slicing fresh ginger root and then dehydrating it. If you need to, you can use ginger powder.
- Cloves: Whole cloves, preferably, but ground is still ok.
- Allspice: Allspice berries or ground allspice.
- Nutmeg: Use whole nutmeg, not pre-ground, to avoid ruining the mix.
- Coriander: Whole coriander seeds are recommended, but ground coriander can be substituted.
🫙 How to Make Lebkuchengewürz
Step 1: Toast anise seeds, whole cloves, coriander seeds, cardamom seeds, allspice berries, star anise, and whole nutmeg in a hot skillet until fragrant (about 60 seconds).
Step 2: Cool spices completely, then grind the smaller spices (anise seeds, cloves, coriander, and cardamom seeds) with a spice grinder or coffee mill. Use a fine-mesh sieve to sift larger pieces, and grind again until powdered.
Step 3: Next, grind allspice berries and star anise and sift through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any larger pieces. Lastly, grind dried ginger and dried orange peels and sift. Mix in ground cinnamon and grated nutmeg until evenly distributed.
🫙 Storage Tips
Transfer spice mixture to a spice jar or an airtight container and label with contents and date. Store lebkuchengewürze spice mix in a small, airtight spice jar and keep it in a cool, dark place. Use within 3-4 months for peak flavor.
🤷🏻♀️ Recipe FAQs
Lebkuchengewürz is a traditional German spice blend used primarily in gingerbread-style baking, especially in lebkuchen. It's made with warm, aromatic spices and adds deep, cozy flavor to cookies, cakes, and other baked goods.
Lebkuchengewürz is a traditional German spice blend used primarily in gingerbread-style baking, especially in lebkuchen. It's made from warm, aromatic spices and adds deep, cozy flavor to cookies, cakes, and other baked goods.
Lebkuchengewürz isn't just for gingerbread-it can be used anywhere you want warm, cozy spice flavor. Try adding it to cakes such as krydderkake, muffins, no-bake pumpkin pie, cookies, quick breads, granola, or even oatmeal! It's also excellent stirred into hot chocolate, coffee, mulled wine, or apple cider for a subtle German-style wist.
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- A quick toast (60 seconds) in a hot skillet extracts the oils in the spices and awakens the aroma. Cool completely before grinding to keep them from clumping up.
- Traditional lebkuchengewürz often includes dried orange or lemon peel. A small amount (½ teaspoon orange powder) adds brightness and keeps the blend from tasting flat or heavy.
- Homemade lebkuchengewürze is most aromatic in the first few months. Store it away from heat and light, and make smaller batches for the freshest flavor.
🥄 Other Spice Blends
If you love making your own spice blends, you're not alone. Here are some of my favorites.
- DIY Mediterranean seasoning
- Elote seasoning
- Gyro seasoning
- Corned beef seasoning
- Everything but the bagel seasoning
🌶 More Spice Mix Recipes
If you enjoy this lebkuchengewürz recipe, check out these other spice mixes.
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📖 Recipe
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Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Toast anise seeds, whole cloves, coriander seeds, cardamom seeds, allspice berries, star anise, and whole nutmeg in a hot skillet until fragrant (about 60 seconds).
- Cool spices completely, then grind the smaller spices (anise seeds, cloves, coriander, and cardamom seeds) with a spice grinder or coffee mill. Use a fine-mesh sieve to sift larger pieces, and grind again until powdered.
- Next, grind allspice berries and star anise and sift through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any larger pieces. Lastly, grind dried ginger and dried orange peels and sift. Mix in ground cinnamon and grated nutmeg until evenly distributed.
- Transfer spice mixture to a spice jar and label with contents and date. Store lebkuchengewürze spice mix in a small, airtight spice jar and keep it in a cool, dark location. Use within 3-4 months for peak flavor.
Nutrition
Notes
- A quick toast (60 seconds) in a hot skillet extracts the oils in the spices and awakens the aroma. Cool completely before grinding to keep them from clumping up.
- Traditional lebkuchengewürz often includes dried orange or lemon peel. A small amount (½ teaspoon orange powder) adds brightness and keeps the blend from tasting flat or heavy.
- Homemade lebkuchengewürze is most aromatic in the first few months. Store it away from heat and light, and make smaller batches for the freshest flavor.
Hilda Sterner says
I hope you give this recipe a try & let me know what you think!