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Home » Recipes » Spice Blend Recipes

Homemade Mixed Spice

Published: Jul 2, 2021 · Modified: Sep 9, 2024 by Emma Fajcz · As an Amazon Influencer, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Are you making a British recipe, but not sure what mixed spice is or where to purchase it? If so, you're in the right place! It's easy to whip up homemade mixed spice to use in sweet (and even some savory) dishes from the UK.

If you're looking for ways to use mixed spice, you'll definitely want to try these recipes for Jamaican ginger cake and Christmas plum pudding. Be sure to try our 9 British Christmas recipes as well.

glass bowl of mixed spice with a small spoon
Jump to:
  • About
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • How to Make Mixed Spice
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serve
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipes That Use Mixed Spice
  • Recipe
  • Comments

About

When and where did mixed spice originate?

Mixed spice is a British spice blend with somewhat uncertain origins. Since it was called different names like "sweet spice," it's hard to pinpoint when it was originally created. Historians have been able to trace one of the first published recipes to a cookery book published in 1795.

Throughout the nineteenth-century United Kingdom, mixed spice became very popular in a variety of baked goods, especially figgy pudding, plum pudding, and hot cross buns. Nowadays, it's used in a wide variety of British baking, like Christmas cake, mince pies, traybakes, and biscuits, or simply sprinkled on porridge.

Ingredients

small glass bowls of dried spices

The key spices used in mixed spice are cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, ginger, coriander, and mace. Feel free to tweak the ratios to your taste preferences.

  • Cinnamon: Feel free to use Ceylon or Saigon cinnamon here, whichever one you prefer. I personally love the rich flavor of Saigon cinnamon.
  • Nutmeg: If you haven't tried freshly grated nutmeg before, you need to; it will change your life! Grab a microplane (affiliate) and grate your own for this recipe for the best flavor.
  • Allspice: This spice is not the same as mixed spice; it's actually an ingredient in it. I like to use Jamaican allspice.
  • Cloves: This spice consists of the dried flowers of Syzygium aromaticum, a tropical tree. It adds a rich depth of flavor.
  • Mace: This spice comes from the covering that is around each nutmeg seed, and has a delicate flavor. Sometimes, it can be hard to find in grocery stores, but you can order it online.

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Variations

  • If you leave out the cloves, coriander, and mace, you'll have pumpkin spice spice.
  • If you swap the coriander with cardamom and add white pepper, you'll have speculaas, the spice blend used in Dutch Biscoff-style biscuits.
  • If you add cardamom and star anise, you'll have the German gingerbread spice mix called lebkuchengewurz.

How to Make Mixed Spice

Gather all the spices for mixed spice.

grating nutmeg with a microplane and dumping spices into a bowl.
  1. If you have whole nutmegs and a microplane, make sure to grate your own nutmeg fresh; it tastes and smells amazing! (image 1)
  2. Pour all the spices into a bowl. (image 2)
spices in a glass bowl and straining the mixture with a mesh sieve.
  1. You should have seven spices in all. (image 3)
  2. Whisk until the spices are well combined, then strain through a mesh sieve to remove any lumps or larger chunks of spices. (image 4)
mixed spice in a glass bowl and in a small jar.
  1. Use right away in your favorite British baking recipes. (image 5)
  2. Store extra in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. (image 6)

Recipe FAQs

Where can I buy mixed spice?

Unless you're in the UK, it's hard to find mixed spice in supermarkets, and it's expensive to order a bottle online from import grocers. It's definitely much faster and cheaper to make your own.

What can I use as a substitute for mixed spice?

This British blend really has a distinct flavor, so I'd suggest making your own rather than substituting it.  If you're in a real pinch, the closest alternative is pumpkin pie spice, but realize that substituting will definitely change the flavor of your baked goods.

Can I make my own mixed spice?

Absolutely! Just whisk everything together until well blended, then store in an airtight container away from light and heat for up to 3 months.

Is mixed spice the same as allspice?

No; they're not the same.  Allspice are unripe, dried berries from the tropical plant pimenta dioica (Jamaican pepper), while mixed spice is a blend of several different spices, including allspice.  This chart contrasts the differences.

How long does mixed spice keep?

Mixed spice will keep in the pantry for up to 6 months. Make sure it's sealed tightly inside of an airtight jar or container, and store it in a cool, dry, and dark place.

Serve

Now, you have a whole bottle of mixed spice to use! Mix into pie fillings, such as apple pie. Use in traybakes or sweet breads like hot cross buns or cinnamon buns. Use in Christmas desserts like plum pudding, figgy pudding, mince pies, and Christmas cake. Enjoy in breakfast foods or applesauce, or add a pinch to savory dishes, especially egg dishes like quiche, or casseroles.

holding a spoonful of mixed spice.

Expert Tips

  • Always use fresh spices.  Throw out any expired ones in your pantry.
  • Want the best flavor and aroma?  Grind your own with a spice grinder.
  • Sieve the mixture to remove any large pieces.
  • Store away from light and heat for up to 6 months.
  • Need a substitute?  Pumpkin pie spice is the next closest thing.

Recipes That Use Mixed Spice

  • plate of gingerbread cookie ornaments
    Edible Gingerbread Cookie Ornaments
  • Jamaican Ginger Cake
  • plum pudding on a large white plate.
    Easy English Plum Pudding
  • Cinnamon Raisin Rolls

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Recipe

glass bowl of mixed spice with a metal spoon

Homemade Mixed Spice

Mixed spice is a British blend that’s perfect for baking apple pies or adding to cake, cookies, hot cross buns, or Christmas baking recipes.  It’s a sweet blend you can give as a homemade gift, or use to make delicious tea treats and dessert recipes.
5 from 4 votes
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Course: Spice Blends
Cuisine: British
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 tablespoons
Calories: 17kcal
Author: Brooke & Emma

Ingredients
 

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons ground allspice
  • 1 ½ teaspoon ground mace
  • ⅔ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ⅔ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ⅔ teaspoon ground coriander
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Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients together with a wire whisk until thoroughly combined.
  • Strain through a mesh sieve to remove any lumps or chunks of spices.
  • Keep the mixture in an airtight container or a mini glass jar in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

Video

Notes

  • Use the freshest spices you can find.  Preferably, grind your own with a spice grinder.  Whole nutmeg can be grated on a microplane.
  • Sieve the mixture to remove any large pieces.
  • Don't keep the blend for more than 6 months; after that, its flavor will start to dull.

Nutrition

Serving: 1batchCalories: 17kcal (1%)Carbohydrates: 3g (1%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 1g (2%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 34mg (1%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 16IUVitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 26mg (3%)Iron: 1mg (6%)

Serving sizes and nutritional information are only an estimate and may vary from your results.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angie

    February 21, 2022 at 5:26 pm

    5 stars
    This homemade recipe for mixed spice is wonderful! Thankvyoy so much!

    Reply
    • Emma

      February 22, 2022 at 6:21 am

      You're welcome, Angie!

      Reply
  2. Heather M Clay

    January 26, 2021 at 9:29 pm

    5 stars
    I'm trying to find a zucchini bread recipe that uses this spice blend that a friend of mines mom use to make. Is there anyone who might know where I can find it.

    Reply
    • Emma

      January 27, 2021 at 7:24 am

      Since we don't have a zucchini bread recipe on our blog, you can try looking on other baking blogs for a good recipe. You can substitute mixed spice for some of the cinnamon or other spices in the recipe. Hope this helps, Heather!

      Reply
  3. Fiona

    November 24, 2020 at 1:16 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely perfect for my fruit mince pies. My American family is now so dependent upon my wee pies leading up to Christmas I remake this blend right after Thanksgiving to add to my pie mixture.

    Reply
    • Emma

      November 24, 2020 at 1:37 pm

      That's so sweet of you to make mince pies for your family, Fiona! I'm so glad that you like this recipe for mixed spice.

      Reply
  4. Dellise

    August 02, 2020 at 2:07 pm

    Thank you! Came out great!

    Reply
    • Emma

      August 03, 2020 at 7:34 am

      You're welcome, Dellise! Mixed spice is a delicious blend.

      Reply
  5. Beth

    April 24, 2019 at 4:06 pm

    5 stars
    This spice blend is perfect for buns and really adds to the flavour of everything!

    Reply
    • Emma

      April 24, 2019 at 4:39 pm

      Yes, I love mixed spice in baking. It's so versatile and flavourful!

      Reply

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