This homemade Gingerbread Spice Mix saves you time during Christmas baking and also makes a great homemade gift idea.
My discovery this Christmas baking season has been Gingerbread Spice Mix. Ever since making the Gingerbread Oreo Cookie Balls, I have had a stash of the spice mix in my cupboard.
I realized that it is so much easier to have a ready-made mix than having to gather ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves and whichever other spices are needed to give any Christmas bake treat a warming gingerbread flavor.
I Made My Own Spice Mix with What Was On Hand
Gingerbread spice mix is a pretty flexible combination. I looked up a variety of recipes and usually, the ones called “German Lebkuchen Spice” were most appealing to me (probably because of the spice variety they used).
In the end, I made my own creation based on the spices I had at hand, such as ground ginger, ground cloves, and cinnamon. All of them were already ground, except for the star anise, which I ground with my coffee/spice mill.
Feel free to adapt the spice to what you have on hand and according to your preferences. Cinnamon, ginger and cloves are kind of like a ‘gingerbread standard,’ but the remaining ingredients could be adjusted as needed.
Double the Portion If You Wish, Gift It For Christmas
Now, I use this mix for all my seasonal baking with a gingerbread flair. It would be great in several different dishes such as pancakes, muffins, cakes, cookies, and more. Instead of using the spices in the recipe, I just add up the total amount of ground spices and replace it with my own mix.
In the pictures, you see a double batch of the recipe I posted below. I made this big batch to give to my mom and sister for Christmas. I filled it in this cute little glass spice jar and printed a label to put on. It’s a nice way to give something simple to them, and also something they can use multiple times. After all, I am a baker, so I mean, what do they expect to get from me, power tools?
Christmas is almost here. But I still have a couple of gingerbread-flavored recipes for you in the coming days. Both will use this Gingerbread Spice Mix.
How are you doing with all your Christmas gifts? I finished getting the last of the presents together today and they are just waiting to be wrapped. Are you looking for some last-minute ideas? Did you see my list of other homemade food gift ideas?
Recipe
Homemade Gingerbread Spice Mix
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ginger
- 2 teaspoons cloves
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- ½ teaspoon cardamom
- ½ teaspoon coriander
- ½ teaspoon star anise
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon finely ground black pepper
Instructions
- Grind any whole spices that aren't pre-ground. A spice mill or a mortar & pestle will work best for this. Measure after grinding.
- Whisk or stir all spices together until evenly combined. Store in a small airtight container.
Nutrition
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Random Questions
Gingerbread spice mix is a blend of ground ginger, cloves, and cinnamon, often with additional spices like nutmeg, creating a warm and aromatic flavor for gingerbread treats.
A basic recipe typically includes ground ginger, cloves, and cinnamon, allowing for personal adjustments and additions like nutmeg or star anise for a custom blend.
Pumpkin spice comprises cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, while gingerbread spice emphasizes ground ginger, cloves, and cinnamon for a distinct holiday flavor profile in baked goods.
Gingerbread flavoring encompasses the warm blend of spices like ginger, cloves, and cinnamon, offering a comforting and nostalgic taste commonly associated with traditional holiday treats and desserts.
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LAURA DAVIS
A question! I cant stand Anise . Can I leave it out and still get the delicious tasle?
Jennifer @ Leelalicious
Absolutely! All of the other spices taste great on their own so there will be no problem with omitting the anise.
Nessa
Hi, how much of this gingerbread spice do i need to put in my dough mixture, Is this all to be pour in one baking ? Thank you
Regina | Leelalicious
Use to taste. I make gingerbread cookies that call for 1 tablespoon of the mix. Use about as much as you would cinnamon in other recipes or sprinkle into oatmeal, coffee, tea, to your desired spice flavor level
Margaret
I can’t find flavored decaf coffee anymore so I made this and added a tablespoon in with my coffee grounds. It made the most beautiful gingerbread coffee! Thank you!!
Jacquee | I Sugar Coat It!
YUM! YUM! YUM! Homemade spices are always the best. This would most certainly be a welcomed gift. Happy Holidays, Regina!
Regina
This was the first year I made my own spice mixes. Pumpkin, apple and gingerbread. Time to dabble with the savory??
Angie@Angie's Recipes
It's so much fresher and better than the store bought mix. Thanks for sharing, Regina.
Have a happy holiday season!
Angie
Regina
I think store-bought gingerbread spice mix is way more common in Germany. I haven't actually seen any in stores here in Canada. One of the reasons I make my own 🙂