What is "mixed spice" from the perspective of an English or Welsh recipe?

[heather_in_sf]

I made a pen pal when in the throws of whooping cough, a fellow sufferer from England, and he is sending me his mom's Welsh cakes recipe, which is apparently a lot like a drop scone. His note says that he remembers mixed spice is really important in the recipe.

What do you all think it might be?

 

[mistral]

I searched "english mixed spice" and "welsh mixed spice" and it seems. . .

that mixed spice is similar to our pumpkin pie spice mix: a mix of sweet spices with cinnamon in the foremost.

http://www.bodnant-welshfood.co.uk/blog/mixed-spice-for-christmas-3891.html

 

[heather_in_sf]

Oh that is interesting, thank you!

I was thinking of quatre epices in France but knew it had to be a bit different... Anyone every have any mixed spice at home?

 

[marilynfl]

Heather, search for "Welsh griddle cakes" and you'll see what they look like. Here's

what I used when I made some for a Welsh military customer. I cooked them on my pancake griddle. He said they were really, really close to his mom's...and she used a packaged spice mix:

Here is a typical blend of spices used to make mixed spice:

1 Tbs ground allspice
1 Tbs ground cinnamon
1 Tbs ground nutmeg
2 tsp ground mace
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground Ginger

Blend all spices together, and store in a sealed jar away from light.

http://www.walnutgrovecookery.com/webjpegs/images%20recipe/welsh_cake-close_fin400.jpg

 

[mistral]

It seems to be literally, "mixed spice", usually sweeter spices and can be. . .

anything from quatre epices to pumpkin pie spice to a garam masala mixture (without pepper)! Or at least that is what it seemed to be when I searched it and looked at recipes for mixed spice and Welsh Cakes.

Actually, it is what your grandma used! smileys/smile.gif

 

[heather_in_sf]

Thank you! I might make them over my holiday break, using my pizza stone.