Piernik (Polish gingerbread)
Discover this authentic Polish Piernik (Polish gingerbread) recipe — a satisfying weeknight dish that's an impressive dish that showcases your cooking skills. Made with unsalted butter, clear honey, brown sugar and 11 more fresh ingredients, this recipe guides you through 3 detailed steps to create a truly memorable meal. Ready in about 40 minutes from start to finish. Whether you're cooking for family, friends, or a special occasion, this polish classic is sure to impress.
20
Prep Time (min)
30
Cook Time (min)
4
servings
400
Calories/serving
Hard
Difficulty
Ingredients
- 140 g Unsalted Butter
- 300 g Clear Honey
- 100 g Brown Sugar
- 375 g Self-raising Flour
- 3 tsp Ground Ginger
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Ground Clove
- 1 tsp Ground Nutmeg
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 3 Large Egg
- 200 g Plum Jam
- 225 ml Double Cream
- 140 g Dark Chocolate
- 3 tablespoons Clear Honey
Instructions
3 steps · ~55 minutes total
Step 1
Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Grease and line the base and sides of a deep 20cm cake tin with baking parchment. Put the honey, sugar and butter in a medium saucepan and cook over a medium heat until fully melted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Put the flour and spices in a large bowl and mix everything together.
25 minutesAlways preheat your oven fully before baking for even cooking.Step 2
Once the liquid ingredients have cooled, whisk in the eggs. Pour over the dry ingredients, whisking them together to form a smooth batter – be careful not to overmix as this can lead to a dry cake. Pour into the prepared tin and bake for 50-55 mins or until risen and a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 20 mins before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
25 minutesAlways preheat your oven fully before baking for even cooking.Step 3
Once cooled, use a large serrated knife to slice the cake into 3 layers. Spread the jam across the 2 bottom cake layers, then reassemble the cake and set aside while you make the glaze. Put the cream, chocolate and honey in a medium pan and cook over a low-medium heat until the chocolate is melted and you have a smooth, pourable mixture. Put the cake on a wire rack set over a parchment-lined baking tray and pour over the glaze, making sure to cover the entire cake. Use a fish slice to carefully transfer the cake to a serving plate and allow the glaze to set. To decorate, dust with a little edible gold powder, if you like. Uniced, this cake will keep for up to 5 days. Once iced, enjoy within 3 days – just keep in the fridge, but remove before serving and eat at room temperature.
5 minutesKeep your fingers curled under (claw grip) for safety when cutting.
💡 Tips & Tricks
🔄 Variations
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator
Up to 5 days in an airtight container
Freezer
Up to 3 months — thaw overnight in fridge
Bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.
What to Serve With
Complete your polish meal with these perfect pairings:
About This Dish
Piernik (Polish gingerbread) is a beloved dish from Polish cuisine, originating in Poland. With a total preparation time of about 50 minutes, it makes for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Polish cuisine offers a rich tapestry of flavors and cooking traditions that reflect the culture and history of the region. This dish is a wonderful example of its distinctive culinary heritage.
This recipe is rated hard difficulty and uses 14 ingredients. Experienced cooks will appreciate the technique involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
The key ingredients in traditional Polish Piernik include flour, honey, brown sugar, spices (such as cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg), baking soda, and sometimes cocoa powder or nuts.
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Nutrition Facts
4 serving(s) per recipe
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.
