Homemade Gingerbread Spice Mix

Homemade gingerbread spice mix is a warm, aromatic blend that captures the essence of holiday baking. With bold notes of cinnamon and ginger, plus hints of clove, nutmeg, and allspice, it’s perfect for cookies, cakes, drinks, and more—filling your home with the cozy scent of Christmas!

Gingerbread Spice

I absolutely love Gingerbread cookies (check out my Mini Gingerbread Men here), and making them homemade is even better because your whole house will smell yummy. B

But this GIngerbread spice mix recipe is not just for Gingerbread recipes. Gingerbread flavor is the perfect addition to so many other recipes, especially around the holidays. You could even call it the Christmas Spice Mix.

If you happen to make this Gingerbread spice mix but won't use it all for cookies, keep reading. There are so many other uses! Don't let it sit in your spice cabinet!

How to Use Gingerbread Spice

Gingerbread spice blend is versatile and can add warm, festive flavors to a variety of recipes beyond Gingerbread cookies or Gingerbread houses.

Here are some ways to add gingerbread flavoring to other foods:

Breakfast and Breads

1. Pancakes or Waffle Batter – Add a teaspoon or two of gingerbread seasoning to the waffle or pancake batter. Here's our favorite pancake recipe!
2. Oatmeal – Stir into your morning oats for a cozy twist. It would be great in this Baked Chocolate Chip Oatmeal.
3. Muffins – Incorporate the spice into muffin batter, especially for flavors like pumpkin muffins or apple muffins.
4. Quick Breads – Use it in banana bread, pumpkin bread (instead of pumpkin pie spice), or even plain loaf cakes.
5. Cinnamon Rolls - add gingerbread spice mix where you'd usually add cinnamon for unique flavor!
6. French Toast - it would be delicious in this Brioche French Toast recipe!

Desserts

5. Cakes – Add to spice cakes or pound cakes for a gingerbread-inspired flavor. You could even try a gingerbread cake!
6. Pies – Use as an alternative or addition to pumpkin spice mix in pumpkin, sweet potato, or apple pie.
7. Ice Cream – Mix the spice into homemade or softened store-bought ice cream.
8. Puddings – Enhance bread pudding or rice pudding with gingerbread spice.
9. Cookies - Gingerbread Cookies obviously but also these Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies - YUM!

Holiday Beverages

9. Lattes or Coffee – Sprinkle into your ground coffee or directly into a latte for a gingerbread latte.
10. Hot Chocolate – Stir in for a spiced chocolate drink.
11. Smoothies – Add to a banana, almond milk, and honey smoothie for a spiced flavor.

Savory Uses

12. Roasted Vegetables – Use a light dusting on roasted carrots, sweet potatoes, or squash.
13. Marinades or Glazes – Include in glazes for ham or marinades for pork.

Snacks

14. Granola – Mix into homemade granola along with honey or molasses.
15. Popcorn – Combine with melted butter and sugar for a spiced caramel popcorn.

Holiday Treats

16. Candied Nuts – Coat nuts with gingerbread spice, sugar, and egg white before roasting.
17. Frostings and Whipped Cream – Blend into cream cheese frosting or whipped cream for a spiced topping.

Gingerbread spice is a great way to add warmth and depth to many recipes.

What is Gingerbread Spice?

Ever wondered what spices are in Gingerbread? Gingerbread spice is a blend of warm, aromatic spices traditionally used to flavor gingerbread cookies, cakes, and other baked goods. The exact mix can vary, but the common ingredients usually include:

• Ground ginger (the key ingredient, giving gingerbread its characteristic flavor)
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Cloves
• Ground Allspice

Some recipes also include additional spices like:

• Cardamom
• Black pepper (for a subtle heat)
• Ground Anise

If you have whole spices you'll want to use a spice grinder before making this mix.

Also, you can make your own spice blends unique by adjusting the proportions of each spice based on your tastes. This gingerbread blend is especially popular during the holiday season for its warm and festive aroma.

Gingerbread Spice Ingredients

These simple ingredients might already be in your pantry.

• Cinnamon
• Ground Ginger
• Ground Allspice
• Ground Cloves
• Nutmeg

Find the complete recipe with ingredients measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Gingerbread Spice

This easy homemade gingerbread spice mix comes together so quickly! You can likely make this in less time than it takes you to make your morning coffee. 

1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl until well combined.
2. Transfer to a sealed jar or air-tight container and store for up to 6 months.\

Pro Tips

• For extra flavor, you can add ¼ teaspoon of cardamom, though it’s optional.
• Avoid freezing or refrigerating the spice mix, as moisture can ruin it.
• The best part of homemade spice blends is the flexibility! Adjust the proportions to suit your taste—add more of any spice to make it perfect for you.
• Place some gingerbread spice mix in a pretty mason jar and give it as a hostess gift, housewarming gift, or a wonderful handmade Christmas gift along with one of your favorite recipes where you use the seasoning blend.

Storage Directions

Store homemade gingerbread spice an airtight container at room temperature for up to six months.

FAQ

More Homemade Spices & Kitchen Staples

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• Homemade Apple Pie Spice Mix Recipe
• Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute
• Homemade Poultry Seasoning Recipe
• How to Make Garlic Butter (Only 4 Ingredients!)
• How to Make a Buttermilk Substitute