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    Home » German Christmas

    Homemade Lebkuchen Spice Mix (Lebkuchengewürz)

    Published: Sep 21, 2021 · Modified: Mar 9, 2025 by Marita Sinden · 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 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 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 (affiliate link) 
    • 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? 

    • aachener printen recipe
      Famous Aachener Printen - German Lebkuchen Bars
    • three slices on german gingerbread cake on a chopping board that sits on a red towel.
      Easy German Gingerbread Cake (Gewürzkuchen)
    • Lebkuchenherzen (German Gingerbread hearts) on a bavarian blue and white napkin. The hearts are decorated with blue icing. The inscription say "Danke (Thank you) "Prost" Cheers" And Oktoberfest
      Lebkuchenherzen Recipe- German Gingerbread Hearts
    • Caramel Apple Trifle with Stollen
      Stollen Trifle - a German Christmas Dessert
    • Authentic German Stollen
      Authentic Stollen Recipe - a German Christmas Cake
    • Swiss Honey Cookies
      Basler Leckerli- Swiss Honey Cookies

    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. 

    Recipe

    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.
    4.67 from 12 votes
    I look forward to your feedback. Just click the stars above.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Ingridients
    Cuisine German
    Servings 1 jar
    Calories 82 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 mason jar 130 ml or 4 oz jar is sufficient

    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 anise
    • 1 tsp all spice
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Place all the spices in an airtight container.
      4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (affiliate link) , 2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 2 teaspoon ground cloves, 2 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon cardamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground anise, 1 teaspoon all spice
    • Secure the lid, shake, and mix well until thoroughly combined.
    • Store in a dark place in an airtight container until ready to use. (up to 1 year)

    Video

    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
    Did you make this recipe? I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Please leave a quick Comment and star rating. I appreciate your feedback.

    More German Christmas

    • Marzipan Pig for New years
      Homemade Marzipan Pig for New Years
    • Meat Fondue
      Meat Fondue Ideas a Complete Guide
    • German Spritz Cookies
      Classic Spritzgebäck (German Spritz Cookies)
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      Soft Gingerbread Cookies (Elisenlebkuchen)
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    Comments

      4.67 from 12 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jim says

      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 says

        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 says

      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 says

        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 says

      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 says

      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 says

      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/ says

      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 says

        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 says

          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

    Hi, I'm Marita

    Food enthusiast & home cook. I returned to Germany after living in the UK for 20 years. Here at My Dinner, you will find traditional and authentic German recipes with cultural backgrounds.

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