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Caribbean Mixed Spice

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This sweet Caribbean mixed spice recipe is a blend of four warm spices that adds so much flavor to holiday baking.

Open glass spice bottle on the side with mixed spice poured out to show texture.
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Mixed Spice vs Pumpkin Pie Spice

Across the world mixed spice is known by many names including Sweet Spice, Cake Spice, Pudding Spice, and Christmas Spice. Used throughout the year but mostly during the holiday season in British, Dutch, German, Irish and Caribbean recipes. 

Caribbean mixed spice is similar to Pumpkin Pie Spice which is very popular in the United States, you might also see Apple Pie Spice and Gingerbread Spice. Used during the Fall and Holiday season for pies, cookies, cake, coffee drinks, bread and even soup. 

Pumpkin pie and Caribbean mixed spice is milder or sweeter compared to traditional British mixed spice. You’ll typically see coriander, mace, aniseed, or white peppercorns added to the blend. 

All the spice ingredients prepped in glass bowls. Next to empty spice bottle, gold measuring spoons, glass mixing bowl, gold whisk, and white. and grey towel.

Ingredients and Additional Spices

4 Spice Blend

Keeping the spice blend simple will make it easier to add to sweet and savory recipes.

  • Cinnamon 
  • Allspice
  • Nutmeg
  • Ginger 

Love Spices and Flavors? Check out this bread spices, herbs, and flavors list or Caribbean herbs, spices and flavors.

Whole spices on parchment paper, cardamom, cloves. coriander seeds, and star anise.
From right to left whole cloves, cardamon, star anise, and coriander seeds.

Additional Spices

If you would like to add more complex flavors these spices would be great additions: 

  • Mace
  • Cardamon
  • Cloves
  • Star Anise
  • Aniseed  
  • Caraway Seeds 
  • Coriander 
  • White Peppercorns 
  • Dried Orange Peel 
Glass jar of mixed spice and plastic bottle of pumpkin spice.
Gold measuring spoon filled with mixed spice, next to glass bottle with some mixed spice, and in the background glass bowl with mixed spice.

Tips and Storage

I prefer to make a small batch at a time, this recipe makes about 4oz or 4 tablespoons. You can even half the recipe easily. 

Store ground spices in a cool dry place away from heat for the best flavor, use within 6 months. 

If you prefer whole spices use a coffee grinder specifically for spices.  You can’t beat the flavor and smell of freshly ground warm spices. 

Nutmeg is easy to freshly grate when needed with a microplane grater.

Keep the pantry with both whole and ground spices. I like to have ground ginger and cinnamon ready to use. For whole spices cardamon, star anise, cinnamon sticks, cloves, coriander, and allspice are my favorites.

Mixed spice in a jar next to gold measuring spoon and grey and white towel.

How to Use Mixed Spice

There are so many ways to use mixed spice from sweet to savory. 

Sprinkle mixed spice onto hot coffee drinks, egg nog, gingerbread, cakes, cookies, sweet bread, pies, biscuits, muffins, buns, pancakes, waffles, candy, crackers, soup, stews, roasted root vegetables, kebabs, and sauces. 

Holiday Desserts and Drinks 

These are popular Christmas and Holiday desserts and drinks that mixed spice blend can be added to. 

Gingerbread - Flavorful ginger-spiced cookies, cake, or bread.

Snickerdoodle - Soft and chewy cinnamon sugar cookie that has a mellow tart flavor, popular in the USA.

Speculoos - Crunchy biscuit spiced cookie with a light caramel flavor popular in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. 

Christmas spices cake decorated with red checkered ribbon, pinecones, and garland.
Christmas Cake

Christmas Cake or Pudding - Rich cake filled with dried fruit, spices, and brandy or rum. Popular in Britain and Caribbean Islands. 

Egg Nog - Chilled sweetened egg and milk-based drink flavored with spices and liquor. Many regions and cultures have their own delicious versions, typically called cremas, coquito, ponche de creme, and rompope. 

Sorrel - Floral drink flavored with spices, fruit, and fresh ginger. Popular throughout the Caribbean including Trinidad, Saint Vincent, and Jamaica. 

Sliced christmas stollen bread on metal tray with knife. Paper snowflakes around bread.
Christmas Stollen

Stollen - Yeast bread made with candied fruit, spices, ginger, nuts, marzipan, and powdered sugar. 

Pfefferusse - Soft chewy cookie made with molasses, pepper, and spices covered in powdered sugar. Popular in Germany, Demark, and the Netherlands. 

Mulled Cider - Apple drink flavored with spices and citrus fruit served cold or hot.

Sugarplum - Candy made with dried fruits and spices coated in sugar. 

Step by Step Photos and Directions 

Prepped spices in mini glass bowls, clear glass bowl, and gold whisk. Next to empty spice jar on grey and white towel.
  1. Grab your prepped spices. Ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice.
Glass bowl with portioned spice ingredients, next to mini glass bowls, empty spice jar, and gold whisk.

2. Place them in a mixing bowl.

Pouring finished spice mix into glass jar with gold measuring spoon. Next to glass bowl with spice mixture and gold whisk.

3. Mix well and add to a spice jar or airtight container.

Hand holding glass spice bottle filled with mixed spice.

4. Store in a cool dry pantry. Enjoy.

Open glass spice bottle on the side with mixed spice poured out to show texture.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Caribbean Mixed Spice

A blend of warm spices together that adds so much flavor to baking recipes. Perfect for Fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Holiday baking.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, British, Carribean
Servings: 15 4oz or 4 Tablespoons

Equipment

  • Small Bowl
  • Small Spoon or Mini Whisk
  • Small Mason Jar or Spice Jar

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon Ground Cinnamon
  • 2 tsp Ground Allspice
  • 2 tsp Ground Ginger
  • 2 tsp Ground Nutmeg Freshly grated, preffered

Instructions

  • Place all spices in a small mixing bowl. Mix Well. It's ready to use.
  • Store in small container or jar in a cool dry place.

Notes

See Blogpost For Additional Spice Option List. 
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5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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