Piernik [pye-rnyeek] is a cake often served around Christmas time in Poland. This, along with apple cake were always served for dessert after a holiday meal in my home. Even though I was full from just have eaten a week’s worth of food, there is always room for this dessert.
It’s soft and aromatic with cinnamon, ginger, allspice and cloves coming through, and also a bit citrus flavor of orange zest and marmalade added to the dough. Dark chocolate glaze adds complexity to the mix and makes our taste buds even happier… who doesn’t like chocolate?! This combination of flavors really makes me think of the holiday season and miss being close to home even more. I will be making it several times between now and the end of the winter, thus feeling closer to home.
Polish Gingerbread {Piernik}
Ingredients
- 2 tbs of honey
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp of cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp of ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp of ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp of ground allspice
- 1/8 tsp of ground cardamom (if you have)
- 2 tbs of plum / strawberry / currant (or other favorite fruit) butter / marmalade
- Zest of 1/2 orange
- 2 eggs
- 5 oz / 140g of butter
- 1 cup / 200 g of granulated sugar
- 1 cup / 235 ml of milk
- 2 cups / 250 g of all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp of baking powder
- 1 tsp of baking soda
- A pinch of salt
- Additionally:
- A few tablespoons of plum / strawberry / currant (or other favorite fruit) butter / marmalade
- Glaze:
- 1/2 c / 120 ml of whipping cream
- 3.5 oz / 100 g of dark chocolate
Instructions
In a small sauce pan place honey, marmalade, orange zest and spices and heat through. Set aside to cool.
Preheat oven to 350°F / 180°C. Line a bread loaf pan with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl beat butter and sugar. Add eggs one by one and then honey mixture once it has cooled off, and milk. Stir well.
Mix flour with baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add flour to sugar/butter mixture gradually and let combine well.
Transfer mixture into loaf pan and bake for 50-60 min, or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Cool bread completely before slicing in half horizon- tally from end to end. Spread jam onto the cut bottom part and return the top back onto it.
To make the glaze, heat cream in a small sauce pan. Remove from heat broken up chocolate. Mix until melted and smooth. Cool glaze slightly before pouring over ginger bread.
Notes
* you can skip this step, and spread some marmalade on each slice before serving.
Enjoy and smacznego!
Anna
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