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Home » Disclosure » Homemade British Mixed Spice

Homemade British Mixed Spice

November 8, 2018 by Kimberly Killebrew · 50 Comments

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This famous British spice blend has been enjoyed in Christmas baking and beyond for several centuries.  With both sweet and savory applications, you will love this deliciously versatile Mixed Spice blend!

mixed spice recipe homemade british traditional authentic gingerbread spice blend

What is Mixed Spice?

The term “mixed spice” for this popular British spice blend has been referenced in cookbooks since at least the early 1800’s.  It’s especially popular in baked goods (thus also called “cake spice”) during the Christmas season where it’s used in a variety of holiday baked desserts including English Christmas pudding, thus also commonly called “pudding spice.”

This British spice blend is similar to gingerbread and pumpkin spice blends in other countries in its choice of spices.  It has a warm and sweet-spicy flavor and aroma and most commonly includes cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and/or mace, cloves, ginger and coriander.

Some modern adaptations may include spices like cardamom and star anise but adding those crosses over into the territory of German gingerbread spice (Lebkuchengewuerz) which is fine, but I prefer to keep the two separate and distinct.  In other words, when I’m making traditional British baked goods for Christmas, I want them to taste distinctly and authentically British.  So I stick with the more traditional spices for this classic spice blend.

Mixed Spice is used in a variety of cakes, puddings, pies, breads and buns, cookies, pancakes, cupcakes, gingerbreads, and fruit salads.  With the predominant flavor of cinnamon, it also makes a nice change to substitute this spice blend for anything calling for cinnamon for an added flavor boost.  You can also get creative with savory dishes like adding it to stuffing mixes for your turkey or using it as a seasoning for roast chicken.

Use this spice blend in our traditional Welsh Bara Brith and our Irish Barmbrack recipes!

If you enjoy British holiday baking Mixed Spice is absolutely essential to have in your spice cabinet.  It can be challenging to find it outside of the UK and commonwealth countries.  Many people here in the U.S. for example will just substitute gingerbread spice or pumpkin spice but as I mentioned before, it is not the same.  The difference is subtle but there is a difference and if you’re after that authentic British flavor, stick with Mixed Spice.

There is no standard rule for the ratios of spices in Mixed Spice.  Generally the cinnamon is slightly more prominent than the other spices but feel free to customize the ratios to feature the spices you want to be dominant in whatever particular dish you’re making.

This famous British spice blend has been enjoyed in Christmas baking for several centuries.  With both sweet and savory applications, you will love this deliciously versatile Mixed Spice blend!

mixed spice recipe British English homemade traditional authentic Christmas holidays gingerbread

How to Make Mixed Spice

To make British mixed spice simply combine all the ingredients together in an airtight container and keep it store in a dark, cool place.

Spices ideally should always be ground from whole spices that have been toasted – that will always yield a stronger flavor and aroma.  But as long as you’re using fresh pre-ground spices, you’ll have a fabulous mixed spice blend to feature in your delicious British holiday baking.

The fragile oils of spices (the source of the aroma and flavor) evaporate and weaken over time, so I usually make just enough to last me for a couple of recipes and then make another fresh batch.  It takes less than 5 minutes to make a batch, so there’s really no reason not to!

Enjoy the delicious versatility of this famous British spice blend, Mixed Spice!

 

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mixed spice recipe homemade british traditional authentic gingerbread spice blend

 

mixed spice recipe homemade british traditional authentic spice blend

British Mixed Spice

Kimberly Killebrew
This famous British spice blend has been enjoyed in Christmas baking for several centuries.  With both sweet and savory applications, you will love this deliciously versatile Mixed Spice blend!
Print Recipe
4.90 from 29 votes
Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 5 mins
Course Seasoning Blend, Spice Mix
Cuisine British

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon quality ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground allspice
  • 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground mace

Instructions
 

  • Combine all spices in an airtight glass jar and keep store in a dark cool place for up to several months.
    Makes about 1/4 cup of Mixed Spice.
Keyword Mixed Spice
Tried this recipe? Mention @daringgourmet or hashtag #daringgourmet
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50 Comments →

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50 Responses

  1. Diane says

    December 23, 2020 at 4:10 pm

    Loved this! Added 1 tsp cardamom. Used this mix instead of cinnamon in my Christmas sticky buns. Wow!

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    November 20, 2020 at 6:00 am

    AMAZING

    Reply
  3. Marjorie says

    August 22, 2020 at 11:14 pm

    I’m glad I found your site. I intended to make some spiced bread myself as the commercial ones have become very disappointing and weak in taste these days. I did have a recipe for fruit and nut loaf with mixed spice in it but I think making my own mix will bring back memories of how everything used to taste. Cheers for the info.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      August 23, 2020 at 10:51 pm

      Thank you, Marjorie, I hope you enjoy it and look forward to your feedback!

      Reply
  4. Doug says

    July 16, 2020 at 1:16 am

    Saved the trip to the supermarket for one ingredient ie mixed spice.Have everything bar mace so will do the job.
    Thanks

    Reply
  5. Maria Locklear says

    June 3, 2020 at 11:38 am

    This spice mix is great!! Kicks up my Candied Sweet Potatoes.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      June 3, 2020 at 5:48 pm

      Thank you, Maria, and that’s a great idea!

      Reply
  6. Bob says

    December 24, 2019 at 9:38 am

    Great recipe – thanks.

    I didn’t have any ground mace but added a teaspoon of Star Anise and 1/3 teaspoon of cumin seeds (both of which I ground first) – it made a lovely mix 😊.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      December 26, 2019 at 9:49 am

      Thanks so much for the feedback, Bob!

      Reply
  7. Liz Rose says

    October 31, 2019 at 9:03 am

    Saved the day! I’m out of the ready made version, but thanks to your recipe and having all the ingredients I made it myself. I only keep whole nutmeg so grating it took a few mins, but hey presto, job done! Many thanks. Liz

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      October 31, 2019 at 9:04 am

      Perfect, Liz!

      Reply
  8. Dana says

    October 20, 2019 at 12:28 pm

    Thank you! We are making a UK recipe for a plum dessert and had to Google it. Glad you’ve posted.

    Reply
  9. Shelley Chastagner says

    October 15, 2019 at 9:48 pm

    Thank you! This was an amazing find. It was one less ingredient to buy when I have everything to make it my self.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      October 16, 2019 at 9:07 am

      Exactly, Shelley, plus the flavors are more vibrant when you make it yourself. Thanks for the feedback!

      Reply
  10. Laura says

    July 14, 2019 at 8:08 am

    We just discovered mixed spice when my daughter made sticky toffee pudding. Now she’s making snickerdoodles and using mixed spice instead of cinnamon. Heaven!!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      July 14, 2019 at 9:01 am

      Great idea, Laura!

      Reply
  11. Angela Watson says

    April 19, 2019 at 2:52 am

    Thank you for the recipe, I am a Brit living in Saudi and I normally bring it back from the Uk with me , but have run out , we use this at Easter time too , to make hot cross buns, a spiced fruited bread bun that is delicious , so a big thank you ..

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      April 19, 2019 at 9:18 pm

      Yes, hot cross buns! That’s perfect, Angela. I think you’ll find the homemade version far more flavorful than the spice mix from the store. Happy baking and Happy Easter!

      Reply
  12. Joe Bloggs says

    January 9, 2019 at 10:01 am

    Made this up for a carrot cake I made earlier with my kids.

    My partner and I both agree the spice mix in the cake tastes a bit weird – too heavy on 1 or 2 things I think.

    Also, why do so many of the 5 star reviews on here say they haven’t tried it yet!

    Reply
  13. SueV says

    November 20, 2018 at 11:06 am

    This blend is nice, I have been perfecting a cranberry jalapeno jam recipe before I filled the last jar I put a smidge of this spice in it. When I make the next batch I am adding it to the whole pot. Delicious, the jam is pretty darn good to.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      November 20, 2018 at 2:20 pm

      Oooh, that sounds so good, SueV, I love your creativity!

      Reply
  14. Brandy O'Neill says

    November 12, 2018 at 5:58 pm

    This looks like a perfect blend! Thank you for this!

    Reply
  15. Aimee Shugarman says

    November 12, 2018 at 11:30 am

    This is the best spice mix! Perfect for cookies :)

    Reply
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kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Welcome!  I’m Kimberly and I share delicious originals, revitalized classics and authentic dishes from around the world.  Come travel the world through your taste buds!

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