Authentic Dutch Ontbijtkoek Recipe: Easy Homemade Gingerbread Spice Bread
Embark on a delightful culinary journey to the Netherlands with this incredibly easy recipe for homemade Dutch Ontbijtkoek, also lovingly known as Peperkoek. This sweet gingerbread is a true classic, celebrated for its moist texture, rich spice blend, and delightful simplicity. With just a handful of everyday ingredients, you can whip up this quick bread in under five minutes of active preparation time, then let your oven do the rest. The result is a light, delicious, and wonderfully aromatic loaf, often made with wholesome whole wheat flour, that will fill your home with a cozy, inviting scent. If you’re searching for the ultimate sweet quick bread recipe that delivers on flavor and ease, look no further!
Ontbijtkoek (Dutch Peperkoek): A Beloved National Treat
I’ve cherished this recipe for Dutch Ontbijtkoek bread for many years, perfecting it over countless batches. It’s more than just a breakfast cake; it’s a beloved staple in Dutch households, and without a doubt, a treat that your entire family will adore. With its warm, inviting spices, it’s a true winter delicacy, but equally delightful any time of year. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of sweetness and aromatic spices that will truly awaken your taste buds.
The history of Ontbijtkoek, or Peperkoek as it’s also known, stretches back centuries in Dutch and Flemish traditions. Originally, these spice breads were a way to preserve grains and were often baked in monasteries. Over time, as exotic spices became more accessible through trade routes, the simple bread evolved into the rich, flavorful cake we know today. It’s deeply ingrained in the culture, often served with coffee or tea, or as a quick, satisfying snack.
While the core essence of this gingerbread spice bread remains consistent, there are many delightful variations of Dutch Peperkoek. You might find versions with enticing fillings such as candied fruit, crunchy nuts, or chewy dried fruits. Each region, and often each family, boasts its own unique blend of spices – a secret recipe passed down through generations. Some varieties are even topped with glistening pearl sugar, adding a touch of elegance and extra sweetness. Despite these variations, all share that distinctive sweet taste and beautiful dark brown coloration, a hallmark of this cherished Dutch delicacy.
Exploring the Many Regional Varieties of This Sweet Bread
This versatile sweet bread is found throughout the Netherlands, taking on various charming names depending on the region. It’s also a deeply traditional baked treat in the Flemish parts of Belgium, underscoring its widespread cultural appeal. For example, in some areas of the Netherlands, it’s known simply as kruidkoek (spice cake), while in the bustling city of Deventer, it proudly carries the name Deventer koek, often recognized for its specific shape and dense texture. Further north, in the province of Groningen, you might encounter it as Groninger koek, which typically features a slightly lighter, softer crumb. These regional distinctions highlight the rich tapestry of Dutch baking traditions, with each variety offering a subtly different experience while retaining the comforting core of Ontbijtkoek.
The sheer number of Ontbijtkoek varieties makes it a truly unique and adaptable pastry. In terms of its widespread appeal and ease of preparation, you can draw a parallel to America’s beloved banana bread. Both are quick breads, simple to make, incredibly satisfying, and have carved out a special place in their respective national cuisines as comforting staples. Just like banana bread, Ontbijtkoek is a go-to recipe for home bakers looking for minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
One of the most rewarding aspects of making this Dutch gingerbread spice bread at home is the sensory experience it provides. It is super easy to make, with minimal hands-on time before it’s ready to bake in the oven. But the true magic begins as it bakes. The wonderful, warm, and inviting aroma of gingerbread spices wafts throughout the house, creating an incredibly cozy and delicious atmosphere. This scent alone is enough to get anyone excited for a slice!
I highly recommend trying this delightful gingerbread (spice bread). There’s nothing quite like a freshly baked slice, still warm from the oven. For the ultimate indulgence, generously smear a thick layer of creamy butter on a slice and savor every spiced, tender bite of this comforting cake!
Preparation: Oven-Baked Dutch Gingerbread Spice Bread Made Simple
Preparing your own homemade Ontbijtkoek is genuinely one of the easiest baking projects you can undertake. The full, detailed recipe, complete with ingredients and step-by-step instructions, is conveniently located at the bottom of this blog post, ready for you to print and keep handy in your kitchen.
This particular recipe for Dutch Ontbijtkoek stands out for its incredible efficiency, requiring only about 5 minutes of your active time. The majority of the work is done by the oven during its 70-minute baking period, making it an ideal choice for busy schedules or beginner bakers. All you need is a single bowl to prepare your batter. No fancy mixer required – a simple whisk will do the trick to combine the ingredients into a smooth mixture. Once your batter is ready, pour it into a prepared loaf tin and bake until it achieves a beautiful deep brown color and is thoroughly cooked through. After baking, allow it to cool, and then slice and serve this delightful treat!
For best results and perfect execution, consider these helpful tips:
- Choosing Your Cake Tin / Loaf Pan: This recipe is designed for a standard 10-inch (approximately 25 cm) loaf pan. However, don’t fret if your pan is a different size! The recipe card at the bottom of this blog is a smart tool: you can easily input the dimensions of your specific tin, and it will automatically calculate the precise amounts of ingredients you’ll need, ensuring a perfect bake every time. This flexibility makes the recipe incredibly adaptable.
- Ensuring Your Cake is Perfectly Done: A common concern with baking quick breads is knowing exactly when they’re finished. To reliably check if your Ontbijtkoek is done, simply prick a wooden skewer or a long toothpick into the thickest part of the cake near the end of the baking time. When you pull the skewer out, if it comes out completely clean and free of wet batter, your cake is perfectly baked and ready to be removed from the oven. If it still has wet crumbs, give it a few more minutes and test again.
- The Secret to a Soft Top: If you prefer your Ontbijtkoek to have a lovely soft top rather than a crispier crust, there’s a simple trick. About halfway through the baking process, or if you notice the top browning too quickly, gently place a sheet of parchment paper over the batter. This will protect the surface from direct heat, resulting in a wonderfully tender top crust.
- Flavor Enhancements: While delicious on its own, feel free to get creative with additions. Incorporate currants, raisins, or chopped walnuts for extra texture and flavor. A small amount of finely chopped dark chocolate can also add a delightful richness.
Yes, absolutely! While the names differ geographically, they refer to the same beloved Dutch gingerbread spice bread. In the southern regions of the Netherlands, the name “peperkoek” is more commonly used for this sweet bread, whereas in the central and northern parts of the country, “ontbijtkoek” is the prevalent term. Regardless of the name, you’re getting the same wonderfully moist, spiced, and delicious cake!
Dutch Ontbijtkoek has a distinct sweet and spicy flavor profile. It’s often compared to gingerbread but is typically less assertive with ginger, instead relying on a balanced blend of spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and sometimes cardamom or anise. It’s moist, slightly dense yet light, with a deep brown sugar sweetness that makes it incredibly comforting and satisfying. It’s not overly rich, making it perfect for breakfast or a light snack.
Dutch sugar syrup, or “schenkstroop,” is a thick, dark, and sweet syrup often used in the Netherlands to top pancakes or as an ingredient in baked goods. It has a distinctive rich, caramelly flavor. If you can’t find it, excellent substitutes include honey or maple syrup. Both will provide similar sweetness and moisture, though with a slightly different flavor nuance, which will still be delicious in your Ontbijtkoek.
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📖 Recipe
VIDEO
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 egg, large
- 1 tablespoon Dutch sugar syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon speculaas spice mix
- 1¼ cups dark brown sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1¾ teaspoons baking powder
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
Bake your cake
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Preheat oven to 375 °F or 340 °F and line a loaf pan (10 inches) with parchment paper.
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Put the egg, syrup, water, spices, and brown sugar in a bowl. Whisk until everything is dissolved.1 egg, 1 tablespoon Dutch sugar syrup, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon speculaas spice mix, 1¼ cups dark brown sugar
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Add the flour and the baking powder into the bowl and mix all the ingredients until the flour is wet. It doesn’t matter if there are some lumps left.2 cups all-purpose flour, 1¾ teaspoons baking powder
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Pour into the baking tin and bake in the oven for 70 minutes.
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To check if the sweet bread is done, stick a wooden skewer or toothpick into the middle. If it comes out clean, the sweet bread is ready.
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Take the cake out of the oven, allow to cool in the tin for 5 minutes.
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After 5 minutes, take the cake out of the pan and let the cake cool down on a wire rack to room temperature before serving.
Notes
2. Dutch sugar syrup: This is a unique dark sugar syrup, a staple in the Netherlands often drizzled over pancakes. If you don’t have access to it, a tablespoon of rich honey or sweet maple syrup makes an excellent substitute, offering similar moisture and a delightful sweetness.
3. Soft top: For those who prefer a beautifully soft top crust on their Ontbijtkoek, simply place a piece of baking paper over the cake batter about halfway through the baking time. This prevents the top from crisping too much.
4. Also delicious: These optional additions can elevate your gingerbread spice bread to new heights!
- Add currants, golden raisins, or crunchy walnuts for even more flavor and texture. Approximately 2 oz. (50 grams) of dried fruit or 1 oz. (25 grams) of finely chopped nuts work perfectly.
- Stir in 2 oz. (50 grams) of finely chopped dark chocolate for a hint of rich indulgence.
5. Storage
- Room temperature: To keep your Ontbijtkoek wonderfully fresh, wrap it tightly in plastic foil or store it in an airtight container. It will stay delicious for up to three days on your countertop.
- Freezer: For longer storage, this spice bread freezes beautifully. Wrap individual slices or the whole loaf in aluminum foil, ensuring a double wrap for extra protection against freezer burn, and store for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply let it thaw at room temperature.


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