Learn how to make gingerbread spice with just 8 ingredients and 5 minutes prep! This DIY homemade spice mix recipe is perfect for all of your gingerbread recipes and holiday baking ideas. Use this homemade seasoning blend for cookies, muffins, cakes, pancakes, waffles, syrup, ice cream and dessert. The gingerbread spice mix recipe comes with free printable labels for packaging and food gift giving.
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Homemade gingerbread spice mix recipe
Learning how to make gingerbread spice is super easy,and you may never want to buy a pre-made spice mix again. DIY gingerbread spicecan be made in less than 5 minutes, and the flavour is truly so good andfestive. You probably already have all of the gingerbread spice ingredients inyour pantry.
You can use this homemade gingerbread spice recipe in so many different ways, from baked goods to desserts, drinks and even to season savoury meals. Last week, I shared a gingerbread hot chocolate and gingerbread pancakes, and I wanted a recipe to link back to for those of you who prefer to make your own spice blends at home.
This is one o the best homemade seasoning blends andthe Christmas spices smell is amazing. The spice mix is naturally vegan,gluten-free and dairy-free. Homemade gingerbread spice is suitable for almostany diet and can be used as seasoning in paleo and keto recipes.
What is gingerbread spice?
Gingerbreadspice is a blend of spices that are often used for cookies and other Christmasbaking recipes or holiday desserts. Although similar to pumpkinpie spice, British mixed spice, and applepie spice, gingerbread spice is made with other spices and has a unique andcomplex flavour profile.
For thishomemade Christmas spice blend, I asked my aunt Mary-Louise, who lives in Germany,to give me an authentic German gingerbread spice recipe. She generously shared herlebkuchengewurz recipe with me, which she uses to make lebkuchen (gingerbread),pfeffernusse,and even traditional English fruit cake, mincemeat,parkin, and classic Christmas pudding.
What is in this Christmas spice blend?
Let’stalk about these 8 spices you need for this gingerbread spice recipe. I want tobreak down each one of these gingerbread spice ingredients for you, you canfind the exact amounts required in the recipe card below.
- Cinnamon – Cinnamon has a deeply complex yetsubtle aroma that is sweet and warm.
- Cloves – Cloves are one of the more pungent spices. Theflavour is peppery with a sweet heat reminiscent of allspice.
- Allspice – Allspice has a warm, sweetlypungent taste with floral undertones.
- Ginger –The flavour profile of ginger is peppery andwarm with lemony undertones. On its own, ginger tastes quite fiery and pungent.The spice is one of the key ingredients in this Christmas spice blend.
- Star anise – Star anise tastes a bit sweet andhas distinctive liquorice undertones.
- Cardamom – Cardamom’s aroma is intricate,slightly sweet and spicy with floral and citrus undertones. The spice intensifiesboth sweet and savoury flavours.
- Coriander seeds – With a mild aroma, coriander has a lemony citrus flavour that tastes warming,nutty and spicy with hints of orange.
- Nutmeg – The aroma of nutmeg is spicy, sweet andslightly bitter. If you have, you can substitute nutmeg with ground mace asthese spices are closely related.
Youprobably have most of these ingredients already in your spice cabinet. Thespices can be used in so many different ways so that buying a spice is well worththe investment.
If youlike it quick and convenient use ground spices. But for the best flavour, usewhole spices and take the time to grind them freshly. A microplate grater or coffee grinder are quite helpful to millwhole spices.
How to make gingerbread spice from scratch
If youhave 5 minutes and a few basic spices, you can make this DIY gingerbread spice recipe!You are going to love the warm aroma it adds to your Christmas recipes and holidaydishes.
- Blend spices.Mix the cinnamon, ginger, allspice, clove, cardamom, coriander, star anise andnutmeg until they are thoroughly combined.
- Store in an airtight jar or container with a lid. That’s it! Just two super easysteps.
Can spices be substituted?
Yes, youcan experiment with the recipe and substitute spices. It’s great that you canbe flexible with these gingerbread spice ingredients, because if you run out ordon’t like a specific spice, you can still prepare the recipe. In previousyears, I made the DIY spice blend without coriander and once swapped nutmeg formace. The flavour of the gingerbread spice changed a little but was still verygood.
Tip: Just don’t skip or substitute thecinnamon, cloves and ginger – these are essential and give gingerbread spice itscharacteristic aroma.
Gingerbread spice substitute
What canI use instead of gingerbread spice? I already mentioned that gingerbread spiceshares some commonalities with pumpkinpie spice, mixed spice (an English spice mix), and applepie spice. And you can use these spice blends instead of gingerbread spice.The flavour will be different but still similar.
How to store homemade gingerbread spice mix
How longdoes DIY gingerbread spice last? Store the homemade gingerbread spice in anairtight jar or container. It will last around 9 months, stored in a dry, cool,dark place.
Packaging ideas and free printable labels
I putthe spice blend in pretty 4-oz quilted masonjars and created printable labels that fit the lid perfectly. Gingerbreadspice is an excellent homemade Christmas food gift idea for the holiday season.Just add a pretty ribbon, and you have a thoughtful seasonal gift for your familyand friends.
Otherpackaging ideas include these 2-oz shot jars,flip-top jars or spice storage containers.
You can downloadand print out the labels at the end of this post.
Recipes using gingerbread spice
You canuse this DIY gingerbread spice in all sorts of recipes, from cookies, bread andcakes, to waffles, pancakes and drinks. It basically screams Christmas and winter.
Can’tget enough gingerbread flavours? Try some of these delicious recipes:
- gingerbreadspice hot chocolate
- homemadegingerbread spice pancakes
- DIYgingerbread spice syrup
- classicgingerbread spice cookies
- gingerbreadoatmeal
- warminggingerbread spice tea
- gingerbreadspice bread
- yumgingerbread spice latte
- spicedplum jelly
- gingerbreadspiced rum
- hotgingerbread spice coffee
Beauty recipes
But theuse of gingerbread spice isn’t limited to food recipes. The homemade holidayspice can also be an ingredient for DIY beauty recipes. Check out these funideas:
- festivegingerbread lotion bars
- easygingerbread soap
- cutegingerbread bath bombs
- DIYgingerbread sugar scrub bars
Homemade Gingerbread Spice Mix Recipe
Yield: 9 tsp
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Learn how to make gingerbread spice with just 8 ingredients and 5 minutes prep! This DIY homemade spice mix recipe is perfect for all of your gingerbread recipes and holiday baking ideas. Use this homemade seasoning blend for cookies, muffins, cakes, pancakes, waffles, syrup, ice cream and dessert. The recipe comes with free printable labels for packaging and food gift giving.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix together the spices in a small mixing bowl.
- Transfer the homemade gingerbread spice into an airtight jar or food container.
Notes
Should I use ground or whole spices?
If you like it quick and convenient use ground spices. But for the best flavour, use whole spices and take the time to grind them freshly. A microplate grater or coffee grinder are quite helpful to mill whole spices.
Can spices be substituted?
Yes, you can experiment with the recipe and substitute spices. It is great that you can be flexible with these gingerbread spice ingredients, because if you run out or don’t like a specific spice, you can still prepare the recipe. In previous years, I made the DIY spice blend without coriander and once swapped nutmeg for mace. The flavour of the gingerbread spice changed a little but was still very good.
Tip: Just don’t skip or substitute the cinnamon, cloves and ginger – these are essential and give gingerbread spice its characteristic aroma.
Substitutes
What can I use instead of gingerbread spice? I already mentioned that gingerbread spice shares some commonalities with pumpkinpie spice, mixed spice (an English spice mix), and applepie spice. And you can use these spice blends instead of gingerbread spice. The flavour will be different but still similar.
Storage and shelf life
How long does DIY gingerbread spice last? Store the homemade gingerbread spice in an
airtight jar or container. It will last around 9 months, stored in a dry, cool, dark place.
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Printable Label
Tab or click the button below to download your free printable gingerbread spice label!
Download printable
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