Mixed Spice Recipe

This homemade mixed spice recipe offers an alternative for non-UK bakers who can’t easily purchase British mixed spice at the supermarket.

Why Make This Homemade Mixed Spice Recipe?

Mixed spice is a ground spice blend typically found in British baking recipes, including bara brith, mince pies (or mincemeat hand pies!), Christmas pudding, gingerbread, and hot cross buns. UK cooks have been using this fragrant combination of spices since the early 1800s, and probably before then.

I discovered mixed spice soon after arriving in the UK for pastry school in 2019, and it quickly became a staple ingredient in my kitchen cabinet. These days I add it to everything from cakes and cookies to overnight oats, and even my morning cup of coffee.

In London, it’s easy to buy jarred mixed spice from any supermarket. (I usually get mine from Sainsbury’s, or Waitrose if I’m feeling fancy!)  But in the US, where mixed spice isn’t nearly as ubiquitous, I make my own blend using the recipe below.

While you can purchase imported or British-inspired blends online or in the international foods aisle at some US supermarkets, it’s just as easy to make homemade mixed spice. (As a side note, I do the reverse with everything bagel seasoning and pumpkin spice—both super easy to find in America, but much harder to source on the other side of the pond!)

What Is Mixed Spice?

Mixed spice is a traditional British spice blend commonly used in baking cakes, puddings, breads, and spiced biscuits. It consists of warm, aromatic spices including cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and mace, often combined with ginger, cloves, and coriander. The blend is similar to American pumpkin spice, but with a distinctly British flavor profile.

Ingredients for Making Homemade Mixed Spice

To make this homemade mixed spice recipe, you’ll need the following ground spices: Ground allspice, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground mace, ground coriander, ground cloves, and ground ginger.

Choose fresh, good-quality spices for homemade mixed spice. Ground spices lose their potency over time, so while the ancient jars at the back may still be safe to use, they won’t add the same depth and complexity to your baking.

For best results, replace ground spices annually and store them in a cool, dark place.

Ingredients for making homemade mixed spice

How to Make Homemade Mixed Spice

Making mixed spice is incredibly easy, and takes less than five minutes.

Just whisk everything together in a bowl. That’s it! Use as desired, or store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

How to Use Homemade Mixed Spice

Add homemade mixed spice to traditional British bakes like bara brith, hot cross buns, and Christmas pudding. (BBC Food has an excellent compilation of recipes using mixed spice.) Mixed spice also makes a great addition to fruit pies and crumbles, homemade granola, pancakes, cookies, muffins, and other baked goods.

Stir mixed spice into porridge, oatmeal, or overnight oats. Blend it into smoothies in lieu of cinnamon, or add a pinch to ground coffee for a spice-infused brew.

Mixed Spice Recipe Tips and Tricks

Make a big batch. This mixed spice recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled.

Fresh is best. For maxium flavor, make homemade mixed spice with fresh, good-quality ground spices.

Give it away. Homemade mixed spice makes a lovely gift for baking enthusiasts.

Store appropriately. To keep mixed spice fresh, invest in good, lidded jars or airtight storage containers. (I like these pretty  glass spice jars.) For gifting, you can even design and print your own personalized labels.

Other British recipes you might enjoy:

Bara Brith
Eton Mess
Bourbon Biscuits
Lemon Posset

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!

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