Irish Mixed Spice

This spice mixture will always be in arms' reach during the Fall and Winter holidays. From sweet breads and pastries to savory pies, this blend needs just five minutes to make your holiday dishes stand apart at every get-together.

Jump to:

• What is Irish Mixed Spice?
• How to Make Irish Mixed Spice
• Reasons to Make This Recipe Today
• Ingredients
• Tips for Success
• Detailed Preparation Instructions
• Storage Instructions
• Irish Mixed Spice

"Pumpkin Pie Spice" in America. "Mixed Spice" in England. "Irish Mixed Spice" in Ireland. You cannot deny that as soon as the first Fall chill enters the air, different countries seek added warmth from their food. Bowls of soups and stews and mugs of hot cider and hot chocolate serve as an instant cure, and desserts are no different. Both Americans and the Irish are fans of warm pies and breads and cookies during the holidays, thanks to warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, among others. Enjoy uncovering all of the sweet and savory applications you'll find all season long!

What is Irish Mixed Spice?

While the exact ingredients and their ratios seem to vary from person to person, Irish mixed spice consists of a variety of warm ground spices. Cinnamon and nutmeg make up the majority, followed by allspice and cloves. Other spices also include ginger, mace, and coriander, but these can be optional as they are usually quite strong and some people might not like the flavor.

How to Make Irish Mixed Spice

Whether you're grinding your own spices for the freshest taste or using store-bought, creating this spice blend is a matter of combining all of the ingredients into a bowl, stirring to combine, and then storing in an airtight container until ready to use.

Reasons to Make This Recipe Today

• Break out of the "pumpkin spice" and gingerbread rut -- let's admit it, our palettes have grown a bit tired of pumpkin spice's omnipresence once August starts, and then again with ginger during the winter holidays. Reinvigorate the autumnal season with a fresh spice blend that no one will be expecting.
  
• You're in control -- add as much of each spice as you like, or eliminate one altogether if you're not a fan it. The ratios below are a solid foundation with room for flexibility.
  
• It's an easy transition of flavors for most -- the States' closest version of mixed spice is pumpkin pie spice, something that most Americans enjoy. And if you've grown up on Irish desserts, this will be a little taste of nostalgia.

Ingredients

Ground Cinnamon -- cinnamon is the key ingredient to this blend, so whatever ratio you decide on, ensure that cinnamon makes up the majority.

Ground Nutmeg -- adds an extra layer of warmth to this blend without being too off-putting to most.

Ground Ginger -- the British introduced ginger to Ireland centuries ago, despite the fact that we largely associate ginger with more Asian cuisine.

Ground Allspice -- contrary to what you might think, do NOT substitute "allspice" with "mixed spice," as these are NOT the same thing. Allspice is singular, while mixed spice has a blend of spices.

Ground Clove -- clove is one of the more complex spices, as it's sharp, sweet, "hot," and savory all at once. Feel free to reduce the amount in your blend if you're finding it too overpowering.

Tips for Success

1. Grinding your own spices will produce the the freshest, most potent flavors. Store-bought ground nutmeg, for instance, starts to lose a lot of potency after 1-2 months.
   
2. Be sure to take the seemingly superfluous step of first combining everything in a bowl before adding it to your chosen storage container. You have much better odds of everything being more evenly blended -- the last thing you or your loved ones want to taste is an entire pocket of one spice!

Detailed Preparation Instructions

Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. Mix to combine and scoop into an airtight container.

Storage Instructions

Store the spice mixture in an airtight container and keep in a dry, dark place.