Piernik - Honey Bread

Rating: 4.36 stars
22 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 13
  • 4 star values: 6
  • 3 star values: 1
  • 2 star values: 2
  • 1 star values: 0

This is a recipe from my Polish grandmother. It is a semi-sweet bread that tastes wonderful with a little butter. I grew up on this stuff and it has always been one of my favorites.

By ZURIELLE

Gallery

Recipe Summary

prep:
15 mins
cook:
1 hr 15 mins
additional:
1 hr
total:
2 hrs 30 mins
Servings:
32
Yield:
4 - 4x8 inch loaves
Nutrition Info
Advertisement

Ingredients

32
Original recipe yields 32 servings
The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

Directions

  • In a large bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and eggs. Stir in the milk and oil, and mix in the baking soda. Place honey in a small pot, and bring to a boil. Stir honey into the bowl. Mix flour into the bowl. Fold in the raisins and walnuts. Stir by hand with a sturdy spoon for 10 minutes. Allow the dough to sit 1 hour.

    Advertisement

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease four 8x4 inch loaf pans.

  • Fill each loaf pan with about 2 inches of the batter. Bake 1 hour 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted in the center of a loaf comes out clean. Bread will be brown in color and will crack on top.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
175 calories; protein 2.9g 6% DV; carbohydrates 29.5g 10% DV; fat 5.5g 9% DV; cholesterol 23.6mg 8% DV; sodium 50.8mg 2% DV. Full Nutrition
Advertisement

Reviews (17)

Read More Reviews

Most helpful positive review

kinga76
Rating: 5 stars
12/17/2010
After some minor tweaks (like adding some baking powder for lifting power and more walnuts for extra flavour and texture) this bread was truly delightful and has become a staple in my family. Best eaten warm with butter. Just delicious! And the aroma that fills up your kitchen as it's baking is heavenly too..Thanks for posting.. Read More
Helpful
(19)

Most helpful critical review

NADAS6
Rating: 3 stars
05/25/2005
This recipe doesn't work as it is written. Althought the bread doesn't need a yeast packet it does need 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. Also although I let the bread dough rest for an hour I don't think that that is necessary(after all there is no yeast). I also think that the baking pans should not only be greased but also floured. With these changes the resulting bread is quite delicious. A true polish delite. Read More
Helpful
(31)
22 Ratings
  • 5 star values: 13
  • 4 star values: 6
  • 3 star values: 1
  • 2 star values: 2
  • 1 star values: 0
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
NADAS6
Rating: 3 stars
05/24/2005
This recipe doesn't work as it is written. Althought the bread doesn't need a yeast packet it does need 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. Also although I let the bread dough rest for an hour I don't think that that is necessary(after all there is no yeast). I also think that the baking pans should not only be greased but also floured. With these changes the resulting bread is quite delicious. A true polish delite. Read More
Helpful
(31)
kinga76
Rating: 5 stars
12/17/2010
After some minor tweaks (like adding some baking powder for lifting power and more walnuts for extra flavour and texture) this bread was truly delightful and has become a staple in my family. Best eaten warm with butter. Just delicious! And the aroma that fills up your kitchen as it's baking is heavenly too..Thanks for posting.. Read More
Helpful
(19)
gosia4ever
Rating: 5 stars
05/19/2006
I followed this recipe to a T except that I poured all the batter into a 9 x 13 casserole pan. I made it for mother's day and everyone loved it. It truly tasted authentic. My 80 yrd Polish Grandpa said it was the best he had ever tasted. I might try using this dough for cookies at x-mas time. The dough has a gingerbread taste to it. Read More
Helpful
(18)
Advertisement
Mitch
Rating: 4 stars
02/04/2009
I served this to my Polish friends and they loved it and said it was like the piernik in Poland. I did make some changes. I followed the advice and added 1/2 tsp of baking powder and I did not let it rest for 1 hour. After it was cooled I divided the loaves into three layers. I sprinkled two of the layers with a bit of brandy and then spread them with plum butter. After re-assembling I covered the entire cake with a chocolate ganache. Read More
Helpful
(12)
kitty
Rating: 5 stars
02/29/2008
We loved this bread - a wonderful surprise taste of honey lingering in your mouth - I added apricots and it worked well at a church breakfast Read More
Helpful
(5)
Michigan Mom
Rating: 5 stars
02/02/2008
I grew up eating this as a child and was excited to find the recipe. I did follow the advice of a reviewer and added 1/2 tsp. baking powder. I also agree you need to grease and flour the pan. My family ate half of this up for breakfast and finished it off later with coffee. We all thought it tasted best when we heated up the slices in the toaster oven first. Mmm! Read More
Helpful
(4)
Advertisement
Krista Lynn
Rating: 5 stars
01/26/2009
This recipe was great!!!! I omitted the raisins just because I'm not a fan. I'm glad I added walnuts though because they added some texture and flavor. I love the spices in this bread! I think dried cranberries or "craisins" would be good in this bread! Read More
Helpful
(4)
Barbara Y
Rating: 5 stars
07/06/2009
I love the taste of the honey nuts and rasins. I eat it with peanut butter for dinner. Read More
Helpful
(4)
Dirty Rudy
Rating: 5 stars
08/13/2011
My polish girlfriend loves the way I make this! I go heavy on the cinnamon in the recipe. Thanks so much for sharing! Read More
Helpful
(1)
More Reviews
Advertisement
© Copyright 2020 allrecipes.com. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.allrecipes.com 12/02/2020