Homemade Mixed Spice Blend: The Perfect Festive Flavor

Looking to elevate your Christmas baking this year? This homemade Mixed Spice blend is your secret ingredient! Filled with warming spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, this blend is perfect for holiday treats like cakes, cookies, and pies. Plus, using a coffee grinder to freshly grind your spices gives you a vibrant, aromatic blend that will leave store-bought versions in the dust. 

Why Make Your Own Spice Blend? 

Homemade spice blends are fresher, more aromatic, and customizable. By grinding your spices at home, you’ll get a much more potent flavor that elevates all your holiday bakes. You can also adjust the proportions to suit your personal taste—whether you love a stronger hit of cinnamon or prefer a subtle warmth from the ginger. 

 Ingredients: 

- 1 whole nutmeg 

- ½ tsp whole cloves 

- 1 tsp coriander seeds 

- 1 heaped tbsp allspice berries 

- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon 

- 1 tsp ground mace 

- 1 tbsp ground ginger 

- 4-5 whole black peppercorns (optional) 

How to Make Mixed Spice Using a Coffee Grinder 

Step 1: Grind the Whole Spices 

Start by placing the whole nutmeg, cloves, coriander seeds, and allspice berries in your Andrew James Coffee Grinder. Grind them into a fine powder. If you’re adding black peppercorns for a hint of spice, throw those in now as well. The fresh grinding will release the essential oils, making the blend much more fragrant and flavorful. 

Step 2: Mix in the Ground Spices 

Once your whole spices are ground, whisk in the pre-ground spices: cinnamon, mace, and ginger. These are harder to find whole but work perfectly fine when added pre-ground. 

Step 3: Sift the Blend 

To ensure your blend is silky smooth and free of large shards, sift it through a fine tea strainer or sieve. This step is especially useful for catching any larger pieces that might not have ground down fully in the coffee grinder. 

Step 4: Store and Enjoy! 

Once your blend is ready, transfer it to a small glass jar and store it in a cool, dark place. It should keep for several months, but for the freshest taste, try to use it within 2-3 months. 

  Uses for Mixed Spice: 

- Christmas Baking: Perfect for gingerbread, fruitcakes, or mince pies. 

- Warm Drinks: Stir it into mulled wine, hot cider, or even your morning coffee for a festive twist. 

- Savory Dishes: While traditionally used in sweet bakes, mixed spice can also add warmth to stews and roasted vegetables. 

 Customization Tips: 

- Add more warmth: Increase the amount of ginger or black pepper if you want a spicier kick. 

- Less spicy: Reduce the cloves and allspice for a milder flavor. 

This homemade mixed spice blend is your go-to for all your festive cooking. Once you’ve tasted the fresh, bold flavors of homemade spice, you’ll never want to go back to pre-packaged blends again. Plus, it makes a thoughtful DIY gift for friends and family—just package it in a cute jar, and you’re good to go!