Cozy French Pain d’Épices: Your Go-To Holiday Spice Bread Recipe

Warm, aromatic spices dance through this pain d’Épices recipe, weaving a tapestry of French bakery tradition.

Festive holiday memories swirl with each slice of this classic French spice bread.

Molasses and honey blend seamlessly with a rich medley of warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Bakers adore this rustic loaf for its deep, complex flavor profile that whispers of cozy winter afternoons.

Each ingredient brings a layer of complexity that makes this bread more than just a simple treat.

The recipe transforms humble pantry staples into a luxurious, fragrant experience that beckons you to the kitchen.

One bite promises to transport you straight to a charming Parisian bakery, where tradition and flavor intertwine perfectly.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 265 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients That Make Pain d’Épices Special

• Rye Flour: Hearty base that gives the bread a robust, nutty flavor with dense texture.
• Ground Ginger, Ground Cloves, Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg: Warming spices that create the signature aromatic profile of traditional pain d'épices.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents ensuring light and soft bread texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the spices.

• Honey: Natural sweetener that adds moisture and deep caramel-like undertones.
• Milk: Provides richness and helps bind ingredients smoothly.
• Egg: Acts as a binding agent and contributes to the bread's tender crumb.
• Butter: Adds richness, creates a velvety mouthfeel, and enhances flavor complexity.

• Sugar: Provides additional sweetness and helps with caramelization during baking.

Tools to Get the Texture Just Right

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Handheld beater or stand mixer: Perfect for blending batter to a creamy consistency.
• Loaf pan: Crucial for shaping and baking the bread.
• Baking paper or butter: Needed to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Vital for precise ingredient measurements.
• Spatula or spoon: Great for scraping and smoothing batter.
• Skewer or toothpick: Helpful for checking bread doneness.

How to Prepare Pain d’Épices the Way

• Spice Symphony

A traditional French treat that fills your kitchen with warm, aromatic fragrances. This gingerbread celebrates rich culinary heritage with a delightful blend of robust spices and sweet honey.

• Ingredient Harmony

Gathering your spices creates the magic – rye flour mixed with ground ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. These ingredients dance together to create a complex flavor profile.

• Mixing Magic

Combine dry ingredients first, then gently fold in honey and wet components. Your mixture should transform into a smooth, silky batter that hints at the deliciousness to come.

• Baking Transformation

Carefully pour your batter into a prepared pan, ensuring an even surface. Bake until a gentle golden color emerges and a testing stick comes out clean, signaling your bread’s perfect readiness.

• Sensory Celebration

Let your freshly baked Pain d’Épices rest briefly, allowing flavors to settle. Slice and savor each piece, enjoying the rich, spicy sweetness that represents generations of French baking tradition.

Spice Tweaks for Traditional Pain d’Épices

• Spice Intensity Adjustment: Dial up or tone down the spice blend by tweaking individual spice quantities. More ginger adds a sharper kick, while extra cinnamon brings cozy warmth to your Pain d'Épices.
• Storage Secrets: Wrap the cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. This method helps preserve moisture and keeps the bread soft for 3-4 days at room temperature.
• Toasting Magic: Lightly toast slices for an enhanced flavor experience. A quick warm-up in a toaster or skillet brings out deeper, richer spice notes and creates a delightful crispy texture.
• Serving Companions: Pair your Pain d'Épices with creamy butter, soft cheese spreads, or a dollop of fruit preserves. For a decadent twist, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzle with warm honey.
• Gluten-Free Twist: Substitute rye flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe accessible for those with dietary restrictions. Ensure all other ingredients remain the same for a similar taste and texture.

Serve Pain d’Épices with a Touch of Charm

• Breakfast Bliss: Start your morning with a slice of Pain d'Épices, toasted and spread with creamy butter or a dollop of rich honey for an indulgent breakfast treat.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair this spiced bread with a steaming cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea, creating a perfect mid-afternoon pick-me-up that warms both body and soul.
• Dessert Elegance: Transform the Pain d'Épices into a stunning dessert by serving it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce, elevating its rustic charm to a sophisticated sweet finale.
• Holiday Gift Idea: Wrap individual slices in parchment paper and tie with a festive ribbon, making it a delightful homemade gift that captures the essence of traditional French holiday baking.

How to Store Pain d’Épices and Keep It Moist

• Smart Portioning: Cut the Pain d'Épices into individual slices and wrap each tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This technique helps maintain moisture and prevents the bread from drying out quickly.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store the wrapped slices in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cold storage helps extend the bread's freshness while preserving its rich spice flavors.
• Freezing for Future Enjoyment: Slice the entire loaf before freezing, placing parchment paper between each slice. Seal in a freezer-safe bag, which allows you to thaw and enjoy individual portions whenever a craving strikes. Frozen slices remain delicious for up to 3 months.
• Serving Suggestions: Enhance your Pain d'Épices experience by pairing slices with softened butter, cream cheese, or a dollop of honey. Warm slightly before serving to revive the bread's aromatic spices and create a comforting treat perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea.

Tantalizing Pain d’Epices Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Pain d’épices, a classic French spice bread, combines warm honey and aromatic spices in a comforting loaf. Bakers can enjoy this traditional treat that brings rich winter flavors to dessert tables and afternoon tea.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) rye flour
• ½ cup (120 g) butter, softened
• ⅔ cup (160 ml) honey
• 1 egg
• 3 tbsps sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 pinch salt

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Instructions

1. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Combine rye flour, ground ginger, ground cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and baking powder in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a fragrant spice blend.
2. Liquid Integration: Whisk honey into the dry ingredients using an electric mixer, then fold in milk, sugar, egg, softened butter, and a delicate pinch of salt until achieving a smooth, homogeneous batter.
3. Pan Preparation: Grease a loaf pan with butter or line with parchment paper, then pour the spiced mixture evenly, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
4. Baking Process: Place the pan in an oven preheated to 150°C (300°F), allowing the Pain d’Épices to bake for 45 minutes until a skewer inserted into the center emerges clean.
5. Cooling and Serving: Remove from oven and let the gingerbread rest briefly, then slice and serve, revealing its rich, aromatic interior perfect for enjoying with tea or as a delightful standalone treat.

Notes

• Spice Selection: Choose fresh, high-quality ground spices for maximum flavor intensity and aromatic depth.
• Mixing Technique: Blend dry ingredients thoroughly before adding wet components to ensure even spice distribution.
• Temperature Precision: Maintain consistent oven temperature at 150°C to prevent burning and achieve uniform baking.
• Cooling Strategy: Allow bread to rest for 10-15 minutes after baking to set internal structure and enhance moisture retention.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 265
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg