The Mediterranean Fall Spice Blend
Forget pumpkin spice. This one is better.
I crafted this fall spice blend in my own kitchen one day when I wanted something different. This one has more of a floral touch, made with spices I absolutely love. Lavender. Cardamom. Oh, there's mahleb too, an ingredient made from cherry pits! So, interesting, right?
Here's the thing about pumpkin spice: it's cozy, it's nostalgic, everyone loves it. But it's also everywhere. This blend gives you that same comfort, warmth from the cinnamon, but lavender shows up and does something you wouldn't expect it to. It's light and completely different from anything in your spice cabinet right now.
Mahleb: The Secret Ingredient You've Never Heard Of
Mahlab is what makes this spice blend different. It's ground from cherry pits of a specific variety of wild cherry, sometimes called St. Lucie cherry, that grows across the Mediterranean and Middle East. Bakers there have used it for centuries, especially in Greek, Turkish, and Lebanese holiday breads and cookies, where it shows up as that flavor you can't quite place. The flavor of mahlab sits somewhere between almond and cherry. It's like anything in a Western spice cabinet.
So what does The Mediterranean Fall Spice Blend actually taste like once you bake it into cookies, banana breads, pumpkin breads and muffins?
What Does The Mediterranean Fall Spice Blend Taste Like?
It's warm and cozy like pumpkin spice, but a little lighter since there's no ginger or nutmeg. You'll taste cinnamon and mahleb first; it's slightly nutty and gently sweet, followed by hints of cardamom, vanilla, and lavender.
How to Make It
- Grind your lavender and cloves until fine.
- Stir them together with the remaining spices. That's it.
Different Ways to Use It
This blend shines in so many ways. Use anywhere you'd use warm baking spices, or where you want just a hint more flavor.
- Add to your favorite chocolate chip cookies, loaf cakes, or pumpkin muffins for instant warmth.
- Sprinkle over roasted fruit or mix into fruit cobblers and crisps.
- Add a pinch to your morning Macchiato coffee, tea, or coffee creamers.
- Try it with granola or overnight oats for a cozy, spiced twist
Store it in a clean 1.6-oz spice jar (about ⅓ cup of the blend) and keep it in a cool, dry spot. It'll stay fresh for up to six months.
Once you make this spice blend, you'll see why I always keep a jar of it in my cupboard every fall season! And I hope you do too. ♡
PrintFall Spice Blend
This Spice Blend is cozy and lightly floral. It's a warm twist inspired by Mediterranean flavors. With cinnamon, mahlab, cardamom, and lavender, it adds depth and a subtle sweetness to cookies, cakes, sweet breads, and even your morning coffee.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: About ½ cup (fills one 1.6 oz spice jar / ~55-60 g) 1x
- Category: Spice Blend
- Method: Hand-Mixed
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern-Inspired
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon (32g)
- 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons ground mahlab (20g)
- 1 tablespoon ground cardamom (6g)
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves (1g, from whole cloves)
- 1 teaspoon lavender buds, ground (1g)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla sugar (6g)
- ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper (1.5g)
Instructions
- Grind the cloves and lavender until fine using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
- In a small bowl, combine with cinnamon, mahlab, cardamom, vanilla sugar, and black pepper.
- Mix well until evenly blended.
- Transfer to a clean 1.6 oz spice jar (or airtight container). Store in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 35
- Sugar: 0.9 g
- Sodium: 4.7 mg
- Fat: 0.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9.3 g
- Fiber: 4.6 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
