Spiced Honey Gingerbread Delight

This flavorful gingerbread is a festive treat, perfect for those cozy days indoors. Made with a rich blend of spices and sweet honey, it offers a delightful warmth that pairs beautifully with the crispness of winter air. This recipe combines traditional ingredients like malt extract and sour cream to create a depth of flavor that is both comforting and invigorating. The addition of cardamom and cloves gives it an exotic flair, making each bite a small adventure. Enjoy it fresh out of the oven or let it rest overnight for an even richer taste. Whether you're sharing it with family or indulging on your own, this gingerbread is sure to be a hit. Its versatile dough allows for creative shapes and forms, inviting fun and creativity into your baking process. This culinary journey will not only fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma but will also leave you with lasting memories of shared joy and warmth.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• 600 g honey
• 200 g sugar
• 500 g malt extract
• 2.5 kg high-quality wheat flour
• 40 g alcohol
• 400 g butter (or margarine)
• 3-4 tbsp heaping sour cream
• 3-4 eggs
• 4 tsp baking powder

Spices:

• 8 tsp ground black pepper
• 4 tsp ground ginger
• 3 tsp ground cinnamon
• 30 cloves
• 20 cardamom seeds
• Zest of 1 fresh lemon

Preparation Time

Total time: Approximately 40 minutes

Step-by-Step Instruction

1. Begin by heating the malt extract, butter, honey, and sugar over low heat, ensuring the mixture doesn’t burn by using a flame diffuser.
2. Grind the spices in a coffee grinder, and then add the already ground spices to blend them together.
3. Prepare your mixer with attachments suitable for dough. Have a hot surface pad nearby for transferring the heated mixture.
4. Divide the flour into two equal parts to make it easier to mix later.
5. Melt and heat the sweet mixture in the mixing bowl until it just starts to bubble.
6. Transfer the mixture to the mixer. Be careful, as it will be very hot. Add half the flour gradually, then the alcohol, mixing thoroughly with the mixer.
7. Cool the mixture slightly by setting it aside until it's warm but not too hot to touch.
8. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and set aside.
9. Transfer the mixture to a larger bowl, add all the spices and mix well.
10. Incorporate the sour cream, baking powder, and beaten eggs into the mixture, then knead by hand until you have a smooth, consistent dough.
11. Form the dough into balls, wrap them in cling film, and store them in a cool place.
12. Once the dough cools, it is ready to be rolled out, shaped, and baked into delightful figures. For best results, let the dough rest for at least one day before baking.
13. Beware not to store the dough in the refrigerator for more than a week due to the sour cream content affecting taste over time.
14. For a special effect, add dark or bitter dough stripes over rolled-out dough and roll them together for a striking marbled effect before shaping.
15. Bake at a moderate temperature until golden brown.
16. Allow the gingerbread to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

Tips

• Substitute honey with maple syrup for a distinct flavor.
• Use coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy-free version.
• Adjust the spices to your taste: more ginger for heat, more cinnamon for sweetness.
• For a richer dough, let it rest overnight in a cool place.

Nutrition

• Calories per serving: Approximately 250
• Protein: 5g
• Fat: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 35g

Variations

• For a gluten-free version, use a mix of almond and rice flour.
• Add nuts or dried fruit to the dough for extra texture and flavor.
• Use decorations like icing or edible glitter to make it festive.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with a warm beverage such as coffee or spiced tea.
• Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Best Places

• Pierre Hermé - Famous for its exquisite pastries and delightful ambiance. Location: 72 Rue Bonaparte, Paris, France.
• Café Central - A legendary café known for its opulent interior and delicious pastries. Location: Herrengasse 14, Vienna, Austria.
• Balthazar - New York staple for an authentic bistro experience with divine desserts. Location: 80 Spring St, New York, USA.
• Pâtisserie Sadaharu Aoki - Renowned for its Japanese-inspired French desserts. Location: 35 Rue de Vaugirard, Paris, France.
• Café Savoy - Offers classic Czech pastries in an elegant setting. Location: Vítězná 124/5, Prague, Czech Republic.
• Copenhagen Coffee Lab - A cozy spot with a strong focus on high-quality pastries. Location: Tullinsgade 1, Copenhagen, Denmark.
• Demel - An iconic Viennese café with a rich history in confectionery. Location: Kohlmarkt 14, Vienna, Austria.
• El Nacional - Combines a variety of cuisines and delightful sweet offerings under one roof. Location: Passeig de Gràcia 24 Bis, Barcelona, Spain.
• Confiserie Sprüngli - Celebrated for its luxurious chocolates and pastries. Location: Bahnhofstrasse 21, Zurich, Switzerland.
• Café Sacher - World-famous for its original Sacher-Torte and classic charm. Location: Philharmonikerstrasse 4, Vienna, Austria.