Love gingerbread flavor? Then you will fall in love with this homemade gingerbread syrup. It is all you need to flavor your pancakes, coffee, tea or crepes!
Guys, I am super excited to share with you this gingerbread syrup recipe today. You know why? Well, because it tastes and smells like Christmas!
When I think about Christmas, first I think of Christmas cookies and any gingerbread flavored goodies (like gingerbread ice cream, gingerbread hot chocolate or gingerbread French toast).
Then I start thinking about homemade edible Christmas gifts. I don’t know about you but I love them! I love making them as well as getting them!
Now when I feel extra creative I check out some gift wrapping ideas on the Internet and try to make my own as well.
I hope you don’t feel like it’s way too early to be thinking/talking about the best holidays of the year because to me it is not!
We need to prepare and get organized so if you are planning on making DIY Christmas gifts, this homemade gingerbread syrup should be on your list.
Uses for gingerbread syrup:
- Pour it over pancakes, crepes, French toast
- Add it to your hot chocolate, tea or coffee
- Serve it with ice cream to get into festive mood
Gingerbread syrup ingredients:
- Cinnamon sticks
- Allspice berries
- Ginger
- Brown sugar
- Cloves
It’s important that the sugar is brown to get the brown color. It does not matter what type of brown sugar you use – it is entirely up to you.
While you could get away with omitting allspice berries or cloves, omitting ginger is not a good idea. It gives the syrup its ginger-bread flavor. Also use fresh ginger, not ground ginger.
Are you wondering how to make gingerbread syrup? Well, you might be surprised but it’s easier than you think. I have the perfect recipe here and after a few trials and errors I would say this one is it!
Bring water and sugar to a boil and add all the ingredients. I usually stir the sugar around until it’s dissolved. Cinnamon, allspice and cloves go in whole. When it comes to ginger – you will need to peel it and slice thinly. Simmer this for about 20 minutes or until the syrup is infused with all those spices.
To check if your gingerbread syrup is ready, simply taste it. If you are happy with its flavor, then you are done. By the way, its consistency will be similar to maple syrup.
How to store gingerbread syrup?
Keep it in the fridge. This Christmas syrup will keep for up to 2 weeks, when stored properly.
If you decide to give this as a gift then make sure you sterilize your jars/bottles as well as lids before pouring the syrup in.
Homemade Gingerbread Syrup
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 8 allspice berries
- 6 whole cloves
- 1 fresh ginger (inch long, about 40 grams)
Instructions
- In a wide saucepan (medium size), bring to a boil sugar and water. Stir occasionally to help the sugar melt. Once boiling, reduce the heat and add the spices and ginger that you have peeled and sliced.
- Simmer for 20 minutes or until the syrup is infused with spices (taste with a spoon to see if you like it. Leave for longer, if needed).
- Strain the spices and ginger and pour into a sterilized bottle.
Notes
- Gingerbread syrup should have a similar consistency like maple syrup.
- Store in a clean jar/bottle sealed with a lid in the fridge. If stored properly, it can last up to 2 weeks.
- Sterilize jars/bottles if you want to give this as a gift.
- This recipe should yield about 2 cups of syrup. However, the longer you leave it simmer the more water evaporates so you might get less.
lisa says
This is such an innovation. I’ve always been a purist — maple syrup – period, but this would be great during the holidays!
Cathy says
Mmmm, gingerbread syrup That sounds amazing! Great idea for Christmas Brunch
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Thank you :)
jacquee says
I love making homemade spices and syrups and gingerbread syrup sounds like just the thing to warm up to these days.
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
I’d say making gingerbread syrup is a must in winter :) :)
Tina says
What a great gift idea! Perfect for a hostess gift, thanks for the recipe!
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Thank you, Tina!
Helene says
Wow gingerbread syrup!!😍
It’s a perfect aroma for the Christmas season and the feel of Christmas in every season using this gingerbread syrup in our plain crepes and pancakes ..
Lovely recipe!!
Thanks a lot for sharing this recipe
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
You are welcome, Helene! :)
Kyra Eaton says
Thank you so much for publishing this recipe! I followed it exactly and it turned out great. I wanted a deeper and richer flavor to make for Christmas gifts, so on my second batch I added dashes of sea salt and ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon molasses. The result was more complex and rounded. I also discovered that if you grate your ginger the syrup gets a little warmer and spicier (which I prefer.) I’m excited to give these away as presents! Thank you so much for this recipe. It’s a keeper!
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Hi Kyra, thanks so much for finding time to share your tips with us. I love how you tailored it to your needs :) and I will definitely be trying your version!
Emily Rose says
I fell in love with gingerbread lattes at Starbucks and this is the perfect solution for my bank account! So good and so many uses! I’m considering adding this to butter and popcorn kernels and then microwaving it to make gingerbread popcorn… I’m dropping at the thought.
Thanks so much for this recipe, it smells so good and I’m sure it takes just as good :)
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Thanks so much for finding time to leave the feedback, Emily. I am glad to hear you like the syrup. Enjoy!
Kori L Johnson says
My batch turned into a solid sugar? What did I do wrong?
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Hi Kori. I am not sure but I would say the temperature might have been too high or you might have cooked it too long.
Christina says
Do you strain the ginger and spices out after simmering?
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Hi Christina. Yes, you do. I will update the recipe card for a clearer instructions. Sorry about the confusion.
Laura says
Can I replace coconut sugar for the brown sugar in this recipe?
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
I haven’t tried it but I think you can.
Lynnjoh says
I followed the recipe to a T and it is really runny. Is there a way to thicken it without altering the yummy flavor?
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Hi Lynnjoh, I am afraid the only way to thicken is is cooking it longer on a stove. Or, if you let’s say want to use some for pancakes – perhaps just heat it up on a stove, add cornstarch slurry and stir until thickened. Hope this helps a bit.
Stacy says
Julia, I know this post is from AGES ago, but I just wanted to thank you for it. My partner and I took turn making breakfasts for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I’m a french toast lover, and wanted something festive. I made this to go over an orange & spice infused French toast and couldn’t be happier with the result. I was absolutely thrilled when I got my syrup to reduce down to the exact thickness I prefer, and it tastes like it has actual molasses in it, as the flavors are that close to actual gingerbread. Thanks again for a wonderful recipe I’ll be using for years to come – you helped me make a special Christmas breakfast! Cheers!
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Hi Stacey. Thank you so much for your feedback and rating. It means a lot and I so happy to hear you love this recipe. Hope you will get a chance to try some more recipes from our blog! Happy Cooking!