By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026

Serves 2
125 cal · 10 min
Lebkuchengewürz (German Gingerbread Spice Blend)
Recipe GLPRac5ebeda70079c
A traditional German spice blend combining warm aromatics and sweet spices, essential for authentic gingerbread and holiday baking. Toast and crush whole seeds to release their fragrant oils, then combine with ground spices for a complex, layered flavor profile that captures the essence of classic Lebkuchen.
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Ingredients
1 teaspoon aniseeds
3-4 cardamom pods
6 tablespoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Directions
Place aniseeds and cardamom pods in a mortar. Using a pestle, grind them together with firm pressure until they reach a fine powder consistency, breaking down all the cardamom pod shells completely.
Transfer the freshly ground aniseed and cardamom powder into a clean glass jar or airtight container.
Add the ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground allspice, and ground ginger to the jar.
Whisk or shake the mixture vigorously until all spices are evenly distributed and well blended throughout.
Seal the container with an airtight lid and store in a cool, dry, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. The blend will maintain its potency for up to one year.
Comments
This is a spice blend, not a finished dish, so it's a one-time pantry build rather than a weeknight meal. All six spices are available at any Charlotte chain—Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Kroger, and Walmart all stock them in the bulk section or standard spice aisle, typically at $3–$8 per jar depending on size and source. The real cost lands in buying six jars if you don't already have them; if your spice cabinet is bare, expect $25–$40 as startup. Once blended, the yield is small (2 servings as written means it's meant for immediate use in a recipe), so think of this as an ingredient to make just before baking gingerbread cookies or cakes, not as a pantry staple you'll reach for often. It keeps indefinitely in an airtight container, so there's no waste concern, but a cook who already stocks cinnamon, ginger, and cloves won't need a special trip.
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