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    Kelly Neil » Recipes » Fall

    Homemade Chai Spice

    Published: Aug 22, 2020 · Modified: Jun 22, 2022 by Kelly Neil · 17 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    If you're looking for a little something to jazz up your baked goods, try homemade chai spice! It takes less than 5 minutes to make and it's the ultimate warming spice blend for cooler weather. Here's a simple recipe to keep on hand in your pantry.
    Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
    Total Time: 5 minutes mins
    Chai spices in a bowl unmixed.
    A jar of homemade chai spice mix with a teasponn on the surface nearby with spices spilling out of it.
    A jar of homemade chai spice mix with a teaspoon nearby on the stone surface with spices spilling out of it.

    I’ve been making, and baking with, this chai-inspired spice mix for many years. It adds a beautiful complexity to recipes like these chai-spiced Rice Krispie treats.

    Cardamom is the main ingredient here, and one of my favorite spices. My favorite way to use it is in this carrot cake with pineapple, which is requested for almost every family birthday.

    Over time I’ve increased the cardamom in this homemade chai spice—I just love its unique flavor. I also prefer white pepper, however, use black pepper if you like as it is the traditional choice.

    Jump to:
    • 💞Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    • 📋Ingredients
    • 👩‍🍳Step-By-Step Instructions
    • 🗣Expert Tips
    • 📝Recipe Notes
    • 🙋‍♀️Recipe FAQ
    • 🖨 Recipe

    💞Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    ✔️ It’s made with basic pantry ingredients.
    ✔️ It keeps for a long time stored in a dark pantry or cupboard.
    ✔️ It’s a nice change from using only cinnamon.

    📋Ingredients

    Ingredients to make homemade chai spice mix.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Ground Cardamom—a spice, native to India and its surrounding areas, including the Middle East and Indonesia. It’s made by grinding the dried seed pods of the green (also called true) cardamom plant.
    • Ground Allspice—made from grinding the dried berries of a plant called Pimenta Dioica. The dried berries look like peppercorns and the flavor is similar to clove.
    • Ground White Pepper—produced by grinding the inner seed of black peppercorns. White pepper has a softer, more subtle flavor than black pepper.

    Ingredient Swaps

    • Cardamom—has its own unique spicy flavor, and it may not be for everyone. Instead of trying to substitute it, I recommend omitting it completely, and adjusting the other spice measurements to taste.

    Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of this post, or scroll to the bottom of the post, to see the PRINTABLE recipe card with ingredient measurements and complete instructions.

    👩‍🍳Step-By-Step Instructions

    STEP 1—Measure out the ground spices into a bowl or jar.

    Spices to make homemade chai spice unmixed in a white bowl with black speckles.

    STEP 2—Mix together with a fork or small whisk until well combined. If using a jar, measure the spices directly into the jar, secure the lid, and shake to combine.

    A hand using a fork to mix spices in a bowl.

    STEP 3—Store homemade chai spice in a dark dry cupboard or pantry as you would any other spice. Use as needed.

    A small irregular-shaped porcelain bowl with homemade chai spice inside.

    🗣Expert Tips

    1. Use new or recently opened spices, or grind them yourself.
    2. Store spices in a dark, dry spot to maintain freshness.
    3. Play with the measurements and make your own unique spice blend!

    An irregular-shaped porcelain bowl of mixed spices with a small spoon made of iridescent shell in the bowl.

    📝Recipe Notes

    • Feel free to play with this recipe! Other spices you can try are star anise, ground fennel seeds, or even a small pinch of salt.
    • Increasing the amount of pepper adds heat to the mix which is quite lovely in a hot drink.

    🙋‍♀️Recipe FAQ

    Is chai a spice or is it tea?

    The word chai actually translates to tea. Masala chai is tea mixed with a bit of milk and spices, and is commonly called chai tea or chai latte in North America.

    What is chai spice made of?

    Recipes vary depending on tradition and preference, however, usually include cardamom, cinnamon, and clove.

    Are cinnamon and chai the same thing?

    No. Cinnamon is a spice made by grinding the bark of a native Sri Lankan tree called the Ceylon cinnamon tree. The word chai means tea.

    💃Try Homemade Chai Spice In These Recipes

    • A platter of Nova Scotia oatcakes on a table with plates and a vase of white flowers.
      Nova Scotia Oatcakes
    • Two hands stirring cilantro into a pot of coconut milk chili.
      Coconut Milk Chili With Sweet Potatoes
    • A half-unwrapped cupcake topped with American buttercream and sprinkles. A cake stand with four more cupcakes and a small bottle of milk with a striped straw are nearby
      American Buttercream
    • Nut free granola with dried cranberries and dried apricots.
      Nut-Free Granola With Honey

    Did you make this homemade chai spice? Please rate the recipe and tell me how it went in the comments below. Also, stay in touch with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to see more delicious food and recipes!

    🖨 Recipe

    A jar of homemade chai spice mix with a teasponn on the surface nearby with spices spilling out of it.

    Homemade Chai Spice

    Author: Kelly Neil
    If you're looking for a little something to jazz up your baked goods, try homemade chai spice! It takes less than 5 minutes to make and it's the ultimate warming spice blend for cooler weather. Here's a simple recipe to keep on hand in your pantry.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Garnish
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 6 kcal

    Equipment

    • Measuring spoons or digital kitchen scale
    • Small bowl or glass jar with lid

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 tablespoons cardamom, ground
    • 2 teaspoons cinnamon, ground
    • 2 teaspoons ginger, ground
    • 1 teaspoon allspice, ground
    • 1 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
    • 1 teaspoon white pepper, ground
    • ½ teaspoon clove, ground

    Instructions
     

    • Mix the ground spices together with a fork or small whisk until well combined. If using a jar, measure the spices directly into the jar, secure the lid, and shake to combine. Store homemade chai spice in a dark dry cupboard or pantry as you would any other spice. Use as needed.

    Notes

    • Feel free to play with this recipe! Other spices you can try are star anise, ground fennel seeds, or even a small pinch of salt.
    • Increasing the amount of pepper adds heat to the mix which is quite lovely in a hot drink.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 10gCalories: 6kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 17mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Let me know on Instagram @kellyneildotcom or tag #kellyneil!

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    Comments

    1. Jeannette (Jay Joy) says

      August 23, 2019 at 2:10 am

      5 stars
      I really didn’t know that this Homemade Chai Spice can be interchangeable with things we put cinnamon on. I agree. It surely is perfect for the cool weather.

      Reply
    2. Matt - Total Feasts says

      August 23, 2019 at 3:08 am

      5 stars
      I’ve never made chai spice before, but I’ve always loved it. The aroma and taste just insist you relax. Great ideas for its use, thank for sharing and thanks for the shoutout!

      Reply
    3. Mahy says

      August 23, 2019 at 9:56 am

      5 stars
      It’s been on my to-try list for quite a long time, but I guess now that I’ve stumbled upon your post, it is finally time to change that. Really looking forward to it – so excited!

      Reply
    4. Leslie says

      August 23, 2019 at 8:16 pm

      Love the creativity in this post! Love me some chai! One of my all-time favorite drinks. Especially excited about the chai egg nog, yogurt, and French toast! All wonderful ideas!

      Reply
    5. Swathi says

      August 24, 2019 at 1:04 am

      5 stars
      Your chai spice combo is really nice, instead of white pepper if you use whole black pepper it will become traditional version.

      Reply
      • Kelly says

        August 25, 2019 at 2:22 pm

        Oh ok that’s good to know, I will try that next time! Thanks so much Swathi!

        Reply
    6. Byron Thomas says

      August 25, 2019 at 11:22 am

      So glad to have found this. I love making my own spice mixes and blends. I’m a little bit of a spice rack junkie. I never buy the blends because I have the individual spices in my spice rack and can mix and blend as needed.

      Reply
    7. Bernice says

      August 27, 2019 at 3:03 pm

      5 stars
      Kelly! this is such an awesome post…so informative and wow, who knew there were so many ways to use chai? This is just the perfect autumn post.

      Reply
      • Kelly says

        August 27, 2019 at 7:53 pm

        Aw, thanks Bernice! I really so use it in almost everything this time of year! Making a batch of chai-spiced rice krispie squares this week. *drool*

        Reply
    8. Leanne @ Crumb Top Baking says

      August 27, 2019 at 4:15 pm

      5 stars
      This is definitely the time of year where I make a big batch of chai spice to have on hand for baking. I don’t think the recipe I follow has white pepper in it, so I’ll have to give your recipe a try! And thanks for including so many different recipes that can use chai. I hadn’t thought of adding it to my morning glory cookies, but I’m definitely trying it. Thanks for the shout out Kelly! Pinning. You’ve actually inspired me to create a new Pinterest board for fall baking!

      Reply
      • Kelly says

        August 27, 2019 at 7:52 pm

        Amazing, thanks so much for sharing Leanne! I found out through another comment that white pepper isn’t traditional but it gives me an excuse to use up the jar I have in my pantry! lol

        Reply
    9. Elaine says

      August 27, 2019 at 4:53 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks so much for all your great ideas for using this spice mix! I’m inspired!

      Reply
      • Kelly says

        August 27, 2019 at 7:53 pm

        Hooray! Thanks so much for reading Elaine!

        Reply
    10. Kristen says

      September 03, 2019 at 11:44 am

      5 stars
      Homemade chai spice is the best!!! I used to look around for a chai blend but there was always so much sugar and other stuff in it that didn’t need to be there. This is way better and we use it all the time. I will be giving yours a try, because its always nice to switch it up now and again.

      Reply
      • Kelly says

        September 03, 2019 at 6:33 pm

        That’s awesome Kristen! It’s so hard to go back to store bought once you realize how easy it is to make it at home. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂

        Reply
    11. kevin says

      July 02, 2021 at 12:29 pm

      love the site..
      but you do know, that Chai means Tea and Masala means mix, right?
      so, a Chai Tea is really tea tea..
      but i do love the site, and seeing as how i from across the harbour originally, i give full props to the down east flavour of your project..

      Reply
    12. Barb says

      November 19, 2022 at 2:53 pm

      5 stars
      Wow I had no idea that this combination was a ‘Chai’ mix. I make very similiar except I don’t add Allspice and use less Cardamom. I also use ground White pepper.

      I always put my combination into anything Gingerbread I make. Next time I will add some Allspice and up the amount of Cardamom, since Cardamom is one of my favs!

      Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply

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