Dried spices are one of the best ways to make delicious desserts and other baked goods full of flavor. Be sure your pantry spice rack is stocked with these choices for baking spices, and your treats will never be short of perfectly seasoned.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a commission if you click through and buy something, at no additional cost to you! Learn More.
I don’t use spices in all of my baked goods, but so many of them do rely on the fragrant and piquant flavors that spices provide. First, let’s break down what a spice actually is (and how I tend to use the term):
Spices are used for flavoring or coloring food. They come from the seeds, roots, bark, and fruit of a plant, as opposed to herbs which come from the stems and leaves. I tend to be a little less picky when it comes to my definition. If it’s in my spice rack, it’s a spice to me.
They come in a few different forms: fresh, dried whole, or dried ground. In some cases, it’s a good idea to have multiple varieties around for a single type of spice. But I will be sticking to mostly dried spices in this list. Now let’s get into them!
Basic Baking Spices
Cinnamon
This popular spice comes from the bark of certain trees in the Cinnamomum genus, and it’s definitely the one that I tend to have the most of in my own spice rack. I like to keep a few different varieties of ground cinnamon.
Although I have the most cinnamon, cloves are my favorite spice. I just can never get enough of the aroma. This spice is made from the flower buds of a tree that’s native to Indonesia, and can be used in everything from hot tea to jelly beans. Did you know that a pack of spice jelly beans usually contains a clove flavor? It’s the purple one!
Despite its name, allspice is not a blend of all your favorite other spices. But that name does come from the complex flavor of this unripe berry which is native to the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, and Central America. It’s common in Jamaican cuisine, where it will often be called pimento.
The versatility of nutmeg is pretty impressive. From flavoring the bechamel tucked into layers of a lasagna to sprinkling on top of a Christmas eggnog, what can’t this spice do? It comes from the seed of a specific type of evergreen tree. Another fun spice, mace, is made from the same plant but from the seed casing.
Whole nutmeg seeds are pretty large, so I generally will either buy the spice already ground or in a grinder for easy sprinkling. Try using nutmeg in a Classic Apple Tart with Bourbon-Rye Crust.
Cardamom
This one can often get forgotten, since it’s not part of a standard pumpkin or apple pie mix. But don’t sleep on cardamom, which comes from the seeds of a variety of plants found in India and Indonesia. It’s often used for sweets in Nordic countries, and in both sweet and savory dishes across Asia.
Cardamom comes in black and green varieties, with the black having a smokier flavor. You can also generally find it in both whole pods or ground. My spice rack generally has just a single jar of ground green cardamom. I like adding it into apple desserts, like this Apple Strudel with Phyllo.
Espresso Powder
I’m not sure if most people would consider espresso powder a spice, but to me it definitely serves that purpose. Plus it’s made from coffee beans, so I think that counts. It is essentially the same as instant espresso, but I’d prefer to add it to my baked goods and make some real espresso for my lattes.
I unabashedly love the bite of ginger. To me, it’s the easiest way to add a little kick to a dessert, and it doesn’t hurt that it complements plenty of fruity flavors. Ginger comes from the root of a plant that’s related to turmeric and cardamom. It comes in a variety of forms including fresh, ground, and crystallized, all of which I like to have around.
Fresh ginger can be stored in the freezer and grated as needed, such as for the streusel on a Skillet Plum Buckle.
Bonus Baking Spices
Besides those basics that you should always have on hand, there’s a few other additions to your spice cabinet that can be fun for baking and other sweets. Here’s a couple adventurous ideas to get your started:
Try adding sageor thymeinto a citrus-based dessert.
Anise seed provides a divisive but fragrant licorice flavor.
Lavenderis a floral addition that goes well with delicate flavors.
For something even more bold, kick it up a notch by bringing the heat. I love pairing ancho chile with chocolate. You could also use cayenne, black pepper, or other chili powders to add a little extra spice to your treats.
And of course, don’t forget about the spices that really add to the appearance of your desserts. Small amounts of turmericand paprika can add color without imparting much in the way of flavor. While sesame and poppy seeds provide plenty of texture, crunch, and visual appeal.
Spice Blends
I normally keep individual spices on hand and mix a blend as needed. But here’s a few that are helpful to have around:
Garam masalais a fragrant blend that has sweet and savory applications. The mixes can vary greatly depending on the region they are from.
Download exclusive free eBooks and printable, like 5 Steps to a Brilliant Brunch Party, and Banana Bread Quick Twists. Plus view recipes not shared anywhere else, and get a free monthly newsletter with additional bonus content.
Join the Community
For more brunch recipes, hosting tips, and baking ideas, join our exclusive group on facebook, in Home Brunch Club. Share recipes, themes, tips, and more. Plus get access to exclusive recipes, guides, and videos from Slumber & Scones. I can't wait to see you there!
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.