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    Home » Desserts » Christmas

    Homemade Lebkuchen Spice Mix (Lebkuchengewürz)

    Published: Sep 21, 2021 · Modified: Dec 15, 2021 by Marita · 10 Comments

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    In Germany Lebkuchen spice (Lebkuchengewürz) is intrinsically linked with Christmas. If I close my eyes and think of the German gingerbread spice mix, I can almost taste Christmas. Exotic flavours come to mind and the smell of cinnamon, ginger and cardamom will fill the air. In Germany, you will find plenty of recipes that use Lebkuchen seasonings such as gingerbread hearts, stollen, gingerbread spice cakes, and desserts such as this caramel apple trifle. 

    Lebkuchen Spice in a jar on a grez background. In front of the jar you can see cinnamon sticks, nutmegs, star anice. In the background there are some cloves. In the right corner you can see some measuring spoons

    What we will cover in this post:

    • What is Lebkuchen? 
    • What is Gingerbread Spice in German?
    • Where can I buy Lebkuchen Spice?
    • What spices are in Lebkuchen Gewürz?
    • Lebkuchen Spice Recipe
    • What recipes can I make with this Lebkuchen Spice Blend? 
    • Storage Instructions
    • Homemade Lebkuchen Spice (German Gingerbread Spice)
    • Storage Instructions
    • Tips 

    What is Lebkuchen? 

    Lebkuchen refers to an array of German baked goods that are spiced usually with honey, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and ginger. The term Lebkuchen can be referred to as cakes, cookies or cookie bars. It is similar to the US Gingerbread. 

    What is Gingerbread Spice in German?

    The German word for Gingerbread spice is Lebkuchen Gewürz. You pronounce it as an English Speak as “LEB-COOK-EN-GE-WOO-RZ”. “Gewürz'' is the German word for spice. 

    Where can I buy Lebkuchen Spice?

    You can buy ready-made packages of authentic German Lebkuchengewuerz online. It is expensive and so easy to make your own. But here are the links I found. 

    • German Gingerbread Spice UK (Affiliate Link)  
    • German Gingerbread Spice USA (Affiliate Link)

    What spices are in Lebkuchen Gewürz?

    The original gingerbread spice mixture has some basic spices that make the flavour. The main spices for gingerbread spice mix are:

    • Cinnamon 
    • Cloves
    • Cardamon
    • Nutmeg
    • Ginger 

    Often the Lebkuchen spice mix is further refined by adding 

    • Anis
    • Coriander
    • orange peel, 
    • lemon peel
    • rosewater (affiliate link)
    Lebkuchen Spice. A jar in the middle around it are heaps of ground spice.

    Lebkuchen Spice Recipe

    What Equipment do you need?

    The equipment you require depends on how you are planning to make your homemade Gingerbread Spice mix. If you are planning to grind the spices freshly, you will require either a pestle and motel or a spice grinder. The flavour of your spice mix will be more intensive, but it also takes more time.

    You can also buy pre-ground spices which will cut down on the preparation but may not taste as nice.

    • Pestle and Motel UK (affiliate link)
    • Spice Grinder UK (affiliate link)
    • Spice Jar UK (affiliate link)
    • Pestle and Mortar USA 
    • Spice Grinder USA
    • Spice JAR UK 

    Ingredients for German Lebkuchen Spice Mix  

    • 4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
    • 2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
    • 2 teaspoon ground cloves 
    • 2 teaspoon ground coriander 
    • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom 
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger 
    • 1 teaspoon ground anis 
    • 1 teaspoon allspice

    Recipe Instruction

    Place all the spices in an airtight container. Shake and mix well until completely combined. Seal in an airtight container and wait until you want to use it.

    A glas jar of German gingerbread spice on a grey background. Around the glas jar you can see spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamon and cloves. On the corner of the picture you can see some measuring spoons

    What recipes can I make with this Lebkuchen Spice Blend? 

    • Authentic German Stollen 
    • Caramel Apple Trifle 
    • German Gingerbread Cake
    • Elisen Lebkuchen
    • Pfeffernüsse

    Storage Instructions

    This homemade Lebkuchen spice mix will keep, if kept in a dry and airtight container, for up to a year. 

    Lebkuchen Spice in a jar on a grez background. In front of the jar you can see cinnamon sticks, nutmegs, star anice. In the background there are some cloves. In the right corner you can see some measuring spoons

    Homemade Lebkuchen Spice (German Gingerbread Spice)

    Marita
    Lebkuchen Spice is an essential flavouring for many German Christmas recipes.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Ingridients
    Cuisine German
    Servings 1 jar
    Calories 82 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
    • 2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 2 teaspoon ground cloves
    • 2 tsp ground coriander
    • 1 teaspoon cardamon
    • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 1 teaspoon ground anis
    • 1 tsp all spice

    Instructions
     

    • Place all the spices in an airtight container.
    • Shake and mix well until completely combined.
    • Seal in an airtight container and wait until you want to use it.
    • Store in a dark place up to a year.

    Notes

    Storage Instructions

    This homemade Lebkuchen spice mix will keep, if kept in a dry and airtight container, for up to a year. 
     

    Tips 

    For a more superior taste, ground the spices in a spice grinder yourself. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 82kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gSodium: 16mgPotassium: 210mgFiber: 9gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 45IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 164mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword German gingerbread spice mix, Gingerbread spice mix, Lebkuchen spice, Lebkuchen spice mix
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Filed Under: Christmas

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jim

      December 07, 2021 at 8:50 pm

      How much of this spice should I use when making Lebkuchen’s using 23/4 cups of flour?

      Reply
      • Marita

        December 07, 2021 at 9:24 pm

        Hi Jim,

        thanks for your comment. 2 3/4 cups of flour is about 350g of flour. It is hard to tell you without testing the recipe myself. I think one or two teaspoons should be enough. I would lean towards two teaspoons. If you want to be sure, then add 1 teaspoon and bake one test cookie. If you want a stronger taste I would add a second teaspoon. Hope this helps. Marita

        Reply
    2. Heike

      November 10, 2021 at 7:24 pm

      You listed Anis 2x, does this imply use 2 Teaspoons or was that just a woopsie?

      Reply
      • Marita

        November 10, 2021 at 7:28 pm

        Heike, it should only be one teaspoon ground Anis. I will have a look when i am back at my Computer. Thanks for checking with me. Marita

        Reply
    3. Jean

      October 01, 2021 at 1:57 am

      5 stars
      this is great, I have all the spices and will make this. love to try new spice mix from other countries

      Reply
    4. Jere Cassidy

      September 30, 2021 at 9:03 pm

      5 stars
      I never knew exactly what spices are used in lebkuchen. I was surprised to see anise. Glad you shared this post and how to make my own spice blend.

      Reply
    5. Joanna

      September 30, 2021 at 8:19 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for this! Now I can make my own Pfeffernuesse and bring a bit of the Christkindlemarkt feeling to the USA. Cant’t wait to make them as Christmas approaches.

      Reply
    6. Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/

      September 30, 2021 at 4:53 pm

      5 stars

      5 stars
      I can almost sense the aroma of this mix! And the smell of Christmas!:)) I can’t wait for whatever form of Christmas markets will open this year and for German vendors to come over to the UK with their gingerbread!

      Reply
      • Jutta

        November 17, 2021 at 8:47 pm

        You forgot 1 tsp ginger in the bottom ingredients list.
        Thanks for the recipe Marita.
        Jutta

        Reply
        • Marita

          November 18, 2021 at 11:53 am

          Oh dear Jutta! Thanks for the correction. I am so sorry. Will try better next time. Hope you enjoy your Lebkuchen. Marita

          Reply

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    Food enthusiast & home cook. I returned to Germany after living in the UK for 20 years. I love making German recipes and exploring the cultural history behind each dish.

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