Pain D’Epices

Ingredients

• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup dark rye flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly-grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon anise seeds,
• 2 ounces unsalted butter,
• 1 large egg,
• 1 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon finely-grated orange zest
• 1 cup water

Directions

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 350º (180ºC). Butter a 9-inch (23cm) loaf pan, dust it with flour, then tap out any excess.
2. 2. Sift together the flour, rye flour, baking soda, the ground spices and salt in a bowl. Sprinkle in the anise seeds.
3. 3. In the bowl of a standing electric mixer, or by hand, mix together the butter, egg, honey (or honey and jam), and orange zest.
4. 4. Add the water, then add the dry ingredients in three additions, scraping the sides of the bowl to make sure everything gets mixed in evenly.
5. 5. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top will bake to a somewhat dark color, which is normal.
6. 6. Cool 10 minutes, then tip the cake out of the loaf pan. Let cool completely before slicing.