Spice

[derrynoose]

I'm getting ready to bake some Christmas cakes and can't find allspice. Is mixed spice the same thing?

[stewey]

Derry. I came across 'allspice' in the Caribbean. It is a blend of their more pungent, hot, and very tasty spices. It isn't just a mixture of our bland type of spices.

[stewey]

PS: You should be able to buy it in your local Caribbean type store.

[funnygirl]

I've just had a look at mine and it says that Allspice is a mixture of
Cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger!

Maybe you've got these in your cupboard.

[moonshadow]

Allspice is the berry from the pimento plant and used in a lot of meat dishes. Mixed spice is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger,cloves,cassia, coriander and carraway and much nicer for cake baking especially at Christmas time.

[derrynoose]

Thanks to both. I have indeed got the individual spices so I will act on your advice, funnygirl.

[Naomicorlett]

If you are baking a christmas cake then it is usual to use Mixed spice. NOT ALL SPICE. or use the various spices mentioned in previous answer.

[derrynoose]

Thanks, again, everyone!

[heathfield]

Mix allspice with orange juice and brown sugar and brush on pork chops or gammon steaks. Add to stews and casseroles. Can't guess why you couldn't find any, since it's one of the Schwartz range of products and should be on their display in any of the bigger supermarkets

[derrynoose]

Thanks,heathfield
I was intending to use a recipe from The Belfast Cookery Book to make a Christmas Cake. In their recipe it states Allspice as one of the ingredients. So I hunted amongst the Christmas baking ingredients in two or three supermarkets. From your reply and from others, Allspice seems to be used for savoury dishes. Strange, in that The Belfast Cookery Book was first published in 1967 and was the work of staff of the then Belfast College of Domestic Science. ( It is something of a cookery bible here in N.I.)
Anyway, I hope I have more success with my baking than with my shopping!

[Mrs. K Nolan]

i had the same problem the other day as Morrisons did not sell it - unsure where you live but Booths do sell it - i found it after i had made my cake!!

[heathfield]

Allspice (one of my favouites) has a flavour all of its own, and goes well in several baking recipes. Why not keep to the original recipe? Get some and try it, and become creative with it in the kitchen!