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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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