France Pain d'Épices (Spice Bread)
Pain d'épices, or "spice bread," is a traditional French gingerbread-like loaf infused with warm spices and honey. Originating in the eastern region of Alsace, this dense and aromatic bread has been a holiday staple for centuries, often served with foie gras, cheese, or enjoyed as a snack. Its rich flavor comes from a blend of spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, combined with the natural sweetness of honey. Pain d'épices embodies the festive spirit of French cuisine, bridging the gap between sweet and savory dishes. Naturally dairy-free and vegetarian, this bread can be adapted to suit vegan or gluten-free diets with minor adjustments.
Recipe Servings: 1 loaf
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
50 minutes
Total Time
1 hour 5 minutes
Vegetarian
Vegan
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Kosher
Halal
Ingredients
- 1½ cups (200 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp (5 g) baking powder
- ½ tsp (3 g) baking soda
- 1 tsp (1.3 g) ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp (1 g) ground ginger
- ¼ tsp (0.7 g) ground cloves
- ¼ tsp (0.7 g) ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp (2 g) salt
- ½ cup (120 ml) honey
- ½ cup (120 ml) warm milk
- ¼ cup (60 ml) brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup (40 g) chopped candied orange peel or dried fruits (optional)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a standard 9x5-inch (23x13-cm) loaf pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, mix the honey, warm milk, brown sugar, and egg until smooth. If adding candied orange peel or dried fruits, stir them into the wet mixture.
- Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix; the batter should be thick and slightly lumpy.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 45–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, and then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Pain d'épices pairs beautifully with soft cheeses, such as brie or goat cheese, and can also be served as a base for desserts like trifle.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for longer storage.
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