Homemade gingerbread spice
Christmas is coming therefore it is time to make the best homemade gingerbread spice. This aromatic spice mix is great to use in anything gingerbread. It is gluten-free, vegetarian, low-carb and tastes incredible.
I make a triple batch of this spice mix every year. Then wait impatiently for December to come so I can go wild and make all the gingerbread treats, bakes and drinks I can think of. Are you one of these people as well? If you are, please join me in this wonderful gingerbread season and let's make lovely Christmas desserts together!
How to make homemade gingerbread spice
So everything depends whether you are using ground spices nor not. For the below recipe I used the below:
- Cinnamon - I used ground cinnamon. Have not tried making this recipe with cinnamon sticks.
- Ginger - I used ground ginger. Please do not use fresh ginger as it will not work in this recipe.
- Nutmeg - I used whole nutmeg and I have grated it. I decided to use grated nutmeg as it is more aromatic than powdered nutmeg (in my personal opinion).
- Cloves - I used whole cloves. I have used Nutribullet to grind cloves. Here I need to warn you. If you are using a coffee grinder or other electric equipment it will ruin it. It will scratch the inside of the container. I had an old Nutribullet cup that I always use for these kind of tasks. If you want to avoid this issue, you can use a pestle and mortar to grind cloves BUT it will take some work and time. Of course, if you can find ground cloves, you can use them as well.
- Cardamom - I used white cardamom powder. There is also black cardamom which has smokey and bitter flavour. I do not recommend using it in this recipe. If you are using cardamom pods, do not forget to remove the the shell . You can grind cardamom seeds in a small food processor or a coffee grinder. You can also use pestle and mortar.
- All spice - I used ground all spice but you can use whole berries and grind using pestle and mortar or a small food processor.
- Coriander - I used ground coriander but you can use whole coriander seeds and grind it in pestle and mortar or a small food processor.
- Pepper - I used white and black pepper in this recipe. If you do not have white pepper you can use only black and it will be fine.
Some people also add star anise to the mix but I am not a fan so I skipped it.
As with every spice blend, you can modify it to your liking by increasing or decreasing the amounts of certain spices.
In order to make gingerbread spice you need to turn all the spices into powder and mix them together.
This recipe makes 100g . I would recommend using a kitchen scale to weigh all the ingredients.
How to use homemade gingerbread spice
This spice blend is perfect to make ahead of Christmas season. I always make a double batch so I do not run out! I have noticed that this spice is not easily accessible in many places around the World so it is great to be able to make my own. What is more, making homemade gingerbread spice is more budget friendly than buying it from a store.
There is many ways you can use gingerbread spice:
- You can sprinkle it on hot drinks. Cappuccino, latte, mocha, hot chocolate, you name it!
- You can add it to marshmallows, marshmallow fluff or meringue
- It can be added to cookies like Pierniczki-Polish gingerbread cookies or gingerbread cookies stuffed with plum jam, macarons, whoppie pies, shortbreads, you name it.
- How about adding it to the best Italian meringue buttercream frosting and make gingerbread buttercream?
- This spice also taste great when adding to pancakes. Gingerbread pancakes of a Christmas day for breakfast? What is better than that?
- You can add it to sweet rolls, buns or any baked goods.
- Homemade gingerbread spice is also a great gift idea. Just add it to a nice festive jar with a ribbon hand it to bakers in your family.
How to store homemade gingerbread spice
Store the spice mix in a jar or in any dry container in a dark and dry space.
If you are looking for more recipes with gingerbread spice, I can recommend you the following:
Millionaire's caramel gingerbread
Click this link if you want to see the best recipes for gingerbread desserts
I hope you will make my recipe and if you do, please leave a comment below and let me know your feedback. You can also find me on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Gab and Gettr. Please say hi and do not forget to tag me in if you make my recipe. I love seeing your creations.
Recipe source – my own
Merry Christmas!
This homemade gingerbread spice is wonderfully fragrant and easy to make. You can use it in many baked goods and drinks.
- 40 g cinnamon (ground (8 teaspoon))
- 15 g ginger (ground (3 teaspoon))
- 10 g nutmeg (ground (2 teaspoon))
- 10 g cloves (ground (2 teaspoon))
- 10 g cardamom (ground (2 teaspoon))
- 5 g all spice (ground (1 teaspoon))
- 5 g coriander (ground (1 teaspoon))
- 2 g white pepper (ground (1/2 teaspoon))
- 2 g black pepper (ground (1/2 teaspoon))
Please have a look on my post above to see the details regarding spices I used.
If you are using whole spices you need to grind them in a small food processor, coffee grinder or a pestle and mortar. Please notice that grinding whole cloves will damage your coffee grinder or any other food processor you are using. It will scratch badly.
When you have processed all the spices, mix them well.
Pour gingerbread spice into a dry jar or an air-tight container.