Homemade Gingerbread Spice Mix

Gingerbread spice vs pumpkin spice

So, what’s the difference between gingerbread spice and pumpkin pie spice? And can’t I just use pumpkin spice in everything?

Although pumpkin spice is available to buy in most stores, you’ll probably have to make your own gingerbread spice mix.

And, although they do share many of the same ingredients and flavors, the gingerbread mix will have a more cookie-like unique flavor. And, yes, if you really wanted you could just use the pumpkin one, but you’ll miss out on some delicious changes. And this is so quick to mix up, why not go for it!

My recipe makes a nice small batch that’s easy to use in so many desserts and drinks. More on how to use it later.

Vanilla powder

The one unusual ingredient in my spice mix is vanilla powder. I love the extra soft flavor that it adds to everything.

There are many brands of vanilla powder, and though I haven’t tested them all, I can say that Nielsen-Massey Pure Vanilla Powder is my favorite. It has a nice pure flavor, and can be purchased on Amazon

Cook’s Organic Pure Vanilla Powder is another good brand, though it has a sweeter flavor to me.

I highly recommend the vanilla powder in this, though if you prefer not to buy it, it can be left out. You can use some of that vanilla powder on my Vanilla Dusted Scallops too!

How to make

It takes less than 5 minutes to measure out the spices, mix, and that’s it!

I like to measure the spices out onto a piece of parchment paper. It makes mixing and pouring really easy.

Pro tip: if your spices have lumps, you can pass them through a wire mesh strainer or sifter.

Feel free to increase (double or triple) the recipe as needed; just use the servings slider on the recipe card for easy calculations.

Pro tip: Make sure the jar you’re going to pour the spice mix into is completely dry inside.

How to use

This spice mix makes a great handmade Christmas, neighbor gift, or hostess gift, just tie a pretty ribbon on the jar and you’re all set.

Baked goods: Add holiday gingerbread spice to muffins, cakes, cookies, banana bread, or coffee cake.

Breakfast: Mix it in pancakes, waffles, a bowl of morning oatmeal, or yogurt. It’s also great in my Gingerbread Cottage Cheese Pudding.

Drinks: stir it in or sprinkle it on top of coffee, eggnog, or hot cocoa.

Changes to the recipe

This is a nice basic gingerbread spice recipe, one that you can go to over and over again. You’ll probably always have the ingredients in your kitchen cupboard already.

But, feel free to play around with it and make it more exotic by adding in some cardamom, ground anise, allspice, nutmeg, black pepper, or ground white pepper.

And feel free to play around with amounts, adjusting the spice mix to your liking by reducing or increasing quantities.

Storage

Store any unused spice mix in a sealed airtight jar in a cool dark place for up to a year. Spices can lose their potency, and though this will last longer than a year, it may not be as flavorful after that.