Lebkuchengewuerz–German spice mix

When I started looking into German cookies–specifically ginger cookies–I discovered that an essential ingredient is actually 8-10 ingredients in one–Lebkuchengewürz, a German spice mix. Literally: sweet-cake-spice.  That lovely long German name in the logical German language way refers to the spice that goes into Elisenlebkuchen–the premier spiced cookies or Lebkuchen–gingerbread cookies.

Yes, of course you can merely BUY the German spice mix. But where’s the fun in that? And don’t you want your whole house to smell like Christmas?  The aroma from these spices is worth the mixing. And the flavor and aroma are rather addicting.  Once you have this spice mix on hand, you’ll find lots of uses for it.  I suggest some along with the recipe, but I must say that I am enjoying a bit in my green tea in the morning to the point where I may have to make another batch before I get around to baking Lebkuchen cookies.

Although, as I confessed on Facebook recently, I am a spiceaholic, I had never used star anise, and decided to buy some.  You can see how pretty it is in the picture below.

German spice mix

lebkuchengeweurz German cookie spice mix

But it is, believe it or not–a flower. Before the flower dries up and becomes the spice, it looks like this.

star anise flower

star anise flower from the web site www.botany.hawaii.edu © Gerald Carr

The best known use for it is in Chinese 5-spice powder. I’ve made Chinese 5-spice powder, but I cheated and used ground anise seeds instead of star anise.  What I have read indicates that the pods and the seeds of the star anise have flavor, and the seeds are stronger in flavor than normal ground anise seeds.  It is difficult to grind to a powder in a mortar and pestle–which is what I have–but you can always sit and watch TV while you smash away at the star anise.  Or you can use an electric spice grinder.  Or you can do what most of us do and just use anise seeds which are much easier to grind.

anise seeds

Anise seeds and mortar and pestle.

By the way, now that I have star anise, I’ll throw a pod or two in the next soup or stew I make–trying to remember to remove it before I serve the food.  It should be delicious in any beef dish, and a wow with ham or pork.

More about star anise, and every other spice you can think of.

So, before we start serious Christmas baking (it starts right after Thanksgiving), here’s the recipe for the German spice mix you can’t live without.

Lebkuchengewuerz – German cookie spice

Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons cinnamon (ground)
  • 1/2 teaspoon anise seed (ground)
  • 1/4 teaspoon coriander (ground)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger (ground)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cardamon (powder)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cloves (ground)
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice (ground, optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (ground)
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper (ground, optional)
  • 2 star anise pods (ground (optional substitute for anise seeds--can be stronger))

Directions

1. Although you will probably have most spices already ground, you can hand grind with mortar and pestle or with electric spice grinder any that are whole--for instance anise seeds or star anise.
2. Mix thoroughly.
3. Store in airtight container any that you are not using immediately.
4. Use in lebkuchen cookies. Or use in cake (particularly spice or chocolate), pancakes, applesauce. A tiny bit is delicious in a cup of tea or hot chocolate. Stir into yogurt.

 

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4 thoughts on “Lebkuchengewuerz–German spice mix

  1. Tina Blackwood

    I’m really wanting to make this for Oktoberfest this year and I can NOT find any star anise anywhere, not even on line. The Chinese Five Spice contains most of the ingredients for lebkuchen spice, so you know if I can substitute it for the Star Anise and if so, how much???
    Thank you so much!

    Reply
    1. Avatar photoVera Marie Badertscher Post author

      Personally, I would not use 5 Spice as a substitute. I’d first try online spice stores like Penzeys.com. Or if you live where there is a Penzey’s store, you may get a special deal by buying a bag of broken star anise. If that option doesn’t work, anise seed should be widely available and much easier to work with. And as I mention, you can use anise powder, although it is not quite the same. Finally, you can buy ready-made lebkuchengewuerz spice. Lots of options. Just do a Google search. (I also found several sources of State anise on line by Googling.)

      Reply

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