If you’ve ever wanted to make traditional Polish pierniczki but couldn’t find the right spice mix in your local supermarket, you’re not alone. Polish gingerbread spice mix, known as przyprawa do piernika, isn’t always easy to find outside Poland. Fortunately, you can make your own at home using individual spices.

I use gingerbread spice mix every Christmas when baking my Polish gingerbread cookies. It’s what gives them that familiar warming flavour, with cinnamon, ginger, cloves and other aromatic spices working together. And while ready-made Polish blends are convenient, making your own means you can see exactly what’s going into it.

What’s in a Traditional Polish Gingerbread Spice Mix?

Polish gingerbread spice mix is a combination of warming, aromatic spices. Cinnamon usually provides the familiar base, while ginger, cloves, nutmeg and allspice add depth. Coriander brings a slightly citrusy note, and smaller amounts of cardamom, star anise, fennel and black pepper complete the blend.

Different brands and households use slightly different combinations, so there’s no single recipe that everyone follows. Some blends are stronger on cloves or ginger, while others have more cinnamon.

For this homemade version, I’ve included ten spices to create a fragrant, well-rounded mix inspired by the ingredients commonly found in Polish gingerbread seasoning.

Why Make Your Own Gingerbread Spice?

One of the biggest advantages is knowing exactly what you’re using. A homemade blend contains nothing but spices, without added sugar, flour or unnecessary fillers that may be found in some ready-made mixes.

It’s also practical if you live somewhere without a Polish shop nearby. Most of these spices are available individually in supermarkets or specialist spice shops, and once you have them, you can use them in plenty of other recipes.

You can also adjust the balance to suit your taste. If you prefer a stronger ginger flavour, add a little more. If cloves are too intense for you, reduce them slightly. Just remember that changing the proportions will also change the overall flavour.

How to Use Homemade Polish Gingerbread Spice Mix

This spice blend is particularly good in traditional Polish gingerbread cookies, but you don’t have to wait until Christmas to use it.

Try adding a little to cakes, muffins, homemade biscuits, baked apples or even porridge. Start with a small amount and adjust according to the recipe, as some of these spices have quite a strong flavour.

For my Traditional Polish Gingerbread Cookies – My Favourite Christmas Pierniczki, I use approximately 20g of gingerbread spice mix, along with additional cinnamon.

How to Store Your Homemade Spice Mix

Once mixed, transfer the spices to a clean, completely dry, airtight glass jar. Keep it somewhere cool, dark and away from moisture and direct sunlight.

Ground spices gradually lose their aroma, so I prefer making smaller batches rather than keeping a large jar for years. For the best flavour, use freshly ground spices whenever possible.

And that’s really all there is to it. A few minutes of mixing, and you’ve got your own homemade Polish gingerbread spice mix ready for Christmas baking, or whenever you fancy something with those familiar warming spices.