Post updated 24 April 2026 by Judith
Mixed spice is a warm British spice blend made from cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and other sweet spices. It is used in many British bakes including cakes, biscuits, pastries, bread and festive bakes.
Ground mixed spice is a much used baking ingredient in the UK and is similar to American pumpkin spice.
It is perfect for using in British bakes such as fruit bread, rock cakes, hot cross buns, Christmas cake, mince pies and mincemeat.
If you have ground spices they are ready to blend straight away. If you have whole spices you will need to grind them first, either using a pestle and mortar or a spice grinder.
The quantities in this mixed spice recipe will make 10 teaspoons of spice mix.
Mixed spice ingredients
- Ground cinnamon - warm, sweet and fragrant.
- Ground allspice - a warm aromatic spice.
- Ground cloves - cloves will add warmth to your spice blend.
- Ground nutmeg - a pungent spice.
- Ground ginger - a sweet and aromatic spice.
- Ground coriander - this will add a citrussy flavour.
Optional ingredients - you could also add a small amount of mace, caraway or star anise.
Why make your own?
- It can have a fresher flavour particularly if you have used freshly ground whole spices.
- You can customise spices to suit your own preference.
If you are using whole spices
If you have whole whole allspice berries, cloves, coriander seeds or cinnamon these will need to be ground before mixing. This can be done either using pestle and mortar or a coffee grinder.
If you have whole nutmegs these can be grated using a cheese grater.
How to use mixed spice
- This spice blend pairs well with many fruits including apples, pears, rhubarb, peaches and gooseberries and can be added to fruit pies or strudel.
- Use it for popular British recipes such as rock cakes, Eccles cakes, baked apples or fruit crumble.
- It adds warmth and flavour to fruit cakes such as Christmas cake.
- Use to add warmth and sweetness and to fruit breads such as no knead fruit bread or hot cross buns.
- Add to the other ingredients when making mincemeat.
How to store
- Store in a clean jar with an airtight lid in a dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Mixed spice will keep well for several months but its strength will start to reduce over time.
How much mixed spice to use
You would typically use 1 to 2 teaspoons of mixed spice for a batch of biscuits, a loaf of fruit bread or cake, but his may vary depending on your recipe and whether any other spices are also used.
FAQs
Ground mixed spice is a mixture of ground sweet spices used in many British baking recipes. It typically contains cinnamon, allspice, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and coriander. It pairs well with fruits such as apples, pears, gooseberries and rhubarb. It is also widely used in recipes for cakes, bread and biscuits. It can be used in place of or in addition to other spices such as cinnamon, ginger and allspice.
Pumpkin spice is the closest equivalent to British mixed spice and can be used as a substitution.
No. Mixed spice is a blend of spices whereas allspice is a single spice from the dried unripe berry of pimenta dioica.
Recipes using mixed spice
- Fruit bread (Dutch oven bread)14 Hours 55 Minutes
- Rock cakes40 Minutes
- Traditional English Christmas cake17 Hours 10 Minutes
- Hot cross buns (with easy bake yeast)2 Hours 45 Minutes
Homemade mixed spice for baking
Ingredients
- 3 tsps ground cinnamon
- 3 tsps ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
Instructions
- Measure the spices into a bowl and mix.
- Transfer to a clean jar with a tight fitting lid.
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