Le PAIN d’ÉPICES Parfait : MOELLEUX et PARFUMÉ ! Le meilleur que j’ai jamais GOÛTÉ !

Ingredients

• 250 g All-Purpose Flour (sifted)
• 10 g Baking Powder (one sachet (≈2 tsp))
• 200 g Honey (good quality, preferably raw)
• 80 g Brown Sugar (packed)
• 1 Orange (untreated, zest and juice (≈50 ml juice))
• 2 Eggs (large, room temperature)
• 80 g Unsalted Butter (softened, cut into cubes)
• 50 ml Milk (whole milk)
• 1 pinch Salt (fine sea salt)
• 1 tsp Four‑Spice Blend (traditional French quatre‑épices (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove))
• 1 tsp Green Anise (ground, optional)
• 30 g Honey (for glaze) (extra for brushing after baking)

Instructions

1. Melt butter, milk, honey, orange zest and juice

   Place the butter, milk, honey, orange zest and the freshly squeezed orange juice in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the butter and honey melt together. Do not let the mixture boil.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: medium heat

2. Cool the liquid mixture

   Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool until it is warm to the touch, about 5 minutes.

   Time: PT5M

3. Combine dry ingredients

   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, pinch of salt, four‑spice blend and ground green anise. Add the brown sugar and mix until evenly distributed.

   Time: PT5M

4. Add eggs

   Create a well in the centre of the dry mixture and crack the two eggs into it. Beat with the whisk until the eggs are fully incorporated.

   Time: PT2M

5. Incorporate the warm liquid

   Gradually pour the warm butter‑honey‑orange mixture into the bowl, stirring continuously until a smooth batter forms.

   Time: PT3M

6. Prepare the pan and pour batter

   Generously butter the loaf pan, then pour the batter into it, smoothing the top with a spatula.

   Time: PT2M

7. Bake the gingerbread

   Place the pan in a pre‑heated oven at 170°C and bake for 45‑50 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the centre comes out clean.

   Time: PT45M

   Temperature: 170°C

8. Glaze and decorate

   When the loaf is out of the oven, while still warm, brush the top with extra honey for shine. Decorate with orange zest strips, cinnamon sticks, or candied orange peel as desired.

   Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

250

Protein

3 g

Carbohydrates

35 g

Fat

10 g

Fiber

1 g