As I write this, Summer is sadly getting ready to exit the stage. Behind it, though, are the wonderful Fall and Holiday baking seasons. Although we use spices year-round, certain spices and spice blends are essential for this type of baking. To get you ready, I am writing this Cooking Tip. For a more general discussion on Spices, see this Spice Tip and for Spice Blends, take a look at this Tip.
As you get ready for holiday baking, you want to get the most flavor possible from your spices. To ensure that, make sure your spices are fresh. If they are ground spices and you have had them for more than six months, smell them. Do they have a strong aroma? If not, time to get fresh.
For some of the spices, especially those you do not use regularly, it is best to buy whole rather than ground spices. They will last much longer and you only need to grind the amount you are going to use. For more information on this, see this prior Tip.
Another piece of advice is to make your spice blends rather than purchasing them pre-blended. Why buy a bottle of apple pie spice when you are only going to use it a couple of times and then it will sit in your pantry for another year? By that time, you will need to toss it and buy fresh. This is costly and wasteful. Instead, just make the amount you need from individual spices you most likely already have on hand. Another plus for this approach is that it helps you use up those individual spices before they go stale. There are some exceptions to this advice, which I outline in this Spice Blend Tip. Homemade spice blends are not only a wonderful addition to your pantry but they also make great DIY Holiday gifts.
Which spices do you associate with holiday baking? Different bakers will have their specific lists but these lists will share some commonalities. I will discuss those below. I have written entire Cooking Tips for some of these spices. For those, I have given you the links to read more.
Allspice
- Can be purchased as whole berries or ground.
- The flavor has notes of cloves, nutmeg, star anise, black pepper and cinnamon.
Cardamom (sometimes spelled as cardamon)
- Can be bought in pods, shelled or ground.
- It has a warm flavor that is herby, sweet citrusy.
- This spice is the one that most of us would probably list first as an essential holiday spice.
- Can be purchased in sticks, chips or ground.
- The flavor is a balance of sweet and spicy.
- There are different varieties.
- The most common cinnamon in our pantries is Cassia (Korintje or Indonesian). It is pungent and woodsy.
- Ceylon has a gentle, floral flavor.
- Saigon (Vietnamese) cinnamon is bolder and is a great balance of sweetness and heat. This is my favorite.
Cloves
- Can be purchased whole or ground.
- Cloves have a sharp flavor that can be overpowering if used in excess. It is often paired with cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice.
- Its flavor is described as sweet, bitter and astringent.
Ginger
- Can be purchased fresh, ground and in crystallized form.
- This is one of the warm holiday spices and is what gives gingerbread its unique flavor.
Nutmeg
- Can be purchased whole or ground.
- It is another spice that is both warm and spicy.
- Use with restraint so as not to be too overpowering.
Star Anise
- These are sold as star-shaped pods that are also sometimes used as decoration.
- This spice has a mild and fragrant licorice flavor
Here are some of the popular fall and holiday spice blends. These blends can vary from company to company as to which spices and in what ratios they are included. That is another advantage of making your own. You can make it to your tastes. I will give you the usual spices that are included in each blend.
Apple pie spice blend
Some recipes only use cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Others add allspice, cardamom and/or ginger.
Gingerbread spice
Ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves. Some recipes add allspice.
Chai baking spice
The most common spices in this blend are cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and black pepper. Occasionally, anise might be included.
Mulling spice blend
Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves. Many recipes also include dried citrus peel. Others might use cardamom, star anise and even peppercorns.
Pumpkin pie spice
Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and allspice. An occasional recipe will include cardamom.
Speculaas spice mix
Speculaas cookies are a Dutch delicacy similar to gingerbread cookies although the spice mix is a bit different. This spice mix uses cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, anise, cardamom, white pepper and sometimes mace and/or coriander.
What does your spice pantry look like? More importantly, what does it smell like? It is a good time to investigate all your spices but pay careful attention to these spices that are going to be the mainstay of your fall and holiday baking. Make sure they are fresh, consider whole rather than ground and have fun making your own blends. Happy Fall!!
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