Gingerbread Spice

Gingerbread cookies, gingerbread cakes and gingerbread whoopie pies all have one thing in common: They’re made with gingerbread spice. This spice blend is made of five warm baking spices (plus an optional addition). Each is added in different amounts to contribute to a balanced flavor.

Our gingerbread spice mix recipe leans heavier on ginger and cinnamon, but allspice, nutmeg and clove all play a role in the final mixture’s flavor. Mix together your own homemade batch of gingerbread spices to keep on hand for baking traditional Christmas desserts. Or, use the gingerbread spice mix to try something new, like gingerbread pancakes or gingerbread overnight oats for a wonderful winter breakfast.

Gingerbread Spice Ingredients

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• Ground ginger: Ginger is the main spice in a gingerbread spice recipe, so it serves as the base. Ginger adds that subtle warm spiciness that pairs so well with brown sugar in our favorite gingerbread recipes.
• Ground cinnamon: Equal parts of ground cinnamon and ground ginger provide balance in this mixture.
• Ground allspice: Allspice is technically a berry, so you can find it whole or ground. Use ground allspice to add complex flavor to this mixture.
• Ground nutmeg: Nutmeg is a warm spice with a touch of nuttiness.
• Ground cloves: Cloves bring a warm flavor with a hint of sweetness and a small amount of bitterness.
• Ground cardamom: Cardamom is slightly floral and more earthy than the other spices used in this recipe. It is optional but provides a complex warmth.

Directions

Step 1: Add the spices to a jar

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In a jar, combine the ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom, if using.

Step 2: Combine the ingredients

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Whisk the spices until well combined.

Editor’s Tip: Alternatively, you could add all the spices to the jar, cover the jar and shake it to combine the ingredients.

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What to Make with Gingerbread Spice

Use this gingerbread spice mix to make a soft, flavorful gingerbread cake during the holidays. You can also add it to cookies to make gingerbread cookies like gingerbread men or other cutout cookie shapes. If you’re planning a holiday breakfast, add the spice mix to waffles to create a wonderful treat.

Gingerbread Spice Variations

• Make it spicy: Love the flavor of ginger? Make this mixture spicier by increasing the amount of ginger. Start by adding an extra tablespoon, and adjust the mixture to taste.
• Add anise: Anise brings a gentle black licorice flavor, making a spice mix that’s much more interesting. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons to this gingerbread spice recipe.

How to Store Gingerbread Spice

To keep your homemade gingerbread spices fresh and ready for use, store the mix in a spice jar, small Mason jar or other airtight container. Keep it in a cool, dark place, like the pantry, or use a genius spice storage idea like a drawer insert.

How long does gingerbread spice last?

Stored in an airtight jar or container, this DIY gingerbread spice mix will last up to two years.

Gingerbread Spice Tips

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How else can you use gingerbread spice?

While gingerbread spice is often used for desserts, you can try it with breakfast or in drinks as well. Try mixing it into hot cocoa or making a gingerbread latte. You could even use it to make a spiced salted caramel sauce.

Can you make a big batch of gingerbread spice?

This recipe makes about 7 tablespoons gingerbread spice (or almost 1/2 cup), but it can easily be doubled—or even tripled. Consider making extra, placing it in small jars and adding a ribbon to each jar for a holiday season gift.