You reach for the ground mace and—you're clutching at air! Can you still make the recipe you wanted to?
Of course, you can.
This guide is going to give you the lowdown on the ideal mace substitute for each occasion. You may know that nutmeg is a natural stand-in for both sweet and savory dishes, but can create an alternative mace seasoning with cinnamon? How about allspice?
Could apple and pumpkin pie spice mixes have more applications than you'd imagined?
Prepare to be amazed. Let's go!
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What is Ground Mace Used For?
Mace has a rap sheet of flavor that reads like a spicy-sweet dream, making it the secret handshake of many chefs.
This underdog of spices comes from the lacy outer layer surrounding nutmeg seeds. It brings more punch than its inner sibling—think nutmeg with an extra kick. Chefs adore it for this bolder profile, which sings through even when mixed with other strong flavors.
As with any kitchen staple, it's worth knowing the best substitutes for that one time you forgot to put it on your shopping list.
Here they are.
My Top 8 Mace Substitutes to Try in Your Recipes
Here's how to replace mace using 8 different kitchen staples. The best substitutes for mace match its flavor profile closely, but depending on the use case, you might want to reach for more outlandish options.
1. Nutmeg
Need a natural substitute for mace? Nutmeg is the closest you can get because, hey, they're family.
Mace is actually just the nutmeg seed covering - they're from the same tree (the nutmeg tree, just so you know who the favorite child is) and share the same slightly spicy flavor.
Picture nutmeg as the less flamboyant sibling of mace, offering a similarly warm and spicy flavor but with an earthier undertone. When you're fresh out of mace for that creamy béchamel, homemade sausage recipe, or festive eggnog, nutmeg steps in seamlessly.
What makes it such a great stand-in? Well, they come from the same plant. Nutmeg is the seed itself, while mace is its outer lace-like covering Myristica fragrans.
Although mace has a slightly more pungent flavor, they share enough characteristics to pass for one another in dishes where spice needs to be more than just background noise.
When substituting nutmeg for mace spice powder, you can swap at a 1:1 ratio.
Best for: You can safely substitute nutmeg for mace in cream or butter pasta dishes. Nutmeg is a great choice for eggnog and also benefits baked goods with a warm flavor profile, like apple pie or bread and butter pudding.
2. Allspice
Ground allspice is a lifesaver when you're out of ground mace.
This powerhouse spice, often mistaken for a blend, is actually the dried berry of the Jamaican pimento tree, sometimes called the allspice tree. It's like Mother Nature's own little mash-up of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
The flavor profile? Warmth with a kick. Think sweet meets savory with hints of pepperiness that can stand up to heartier dishes.
From jerk seasoning to gingerbread cookies to air fryer carrot cake, allspice doesn't just fill in; it shines.
If you're looking at baked goods or spice rubs calling for that hint-of-nutmeg taste but need an alternative stat, reach for allspice. A 1:1 swap will do wonders without throwing off your kitchen groove.
Best for: Allspice is a perfect stand-in for mace in spicy cakes and pumpkin pie. It's superb in glazes and Caribbean dishes - a top choice for spice rubs. It also works really well in warm, creamy sauces.
3. Cinnamon
This familiar spice can save the day in both sweet and savory dishes when ground mace is missing from your rack. It brings a sweet warmth to dishes, but it's got a spicy flavor and earthy kick, too.
While mace offers a more delicate piquancy with citrus notes, cinnamon has a robust profile. When replacing mace in savory dishes or baking recipes, start slow—cinnamon packs a punch, and you want just enough to whisper 'exotic,' not shout it. A 1:2 cinnamon-to-mace ratio will work just fine.
This powerhouse isn't just about taste—it has health benefits up its sleeve, too. Healthline observes that from reducing inflammation to managing blood sugar levels, cinnamon turns each bite into more than mere indulgence.
So go ahead and sprinkle some magic onto those cookies or stews and watch them transform.
Best for: Cinnamon is a lovely alternative to mace in cookies, cakes, pumpkin pie, and apple pie. It's a must-have for sweet pastries and (when used sparingly) adds depth to lamb dishes.
4. Ginger
Ginger has a bold, piquant kick with a peppery note and a sweet undertone that sneaks up on you. While mace offers warmth, ground ginger brings heat—making it perfect for recipes where you want to turn things up a notch.
Using ginger as a substitute for mace isn't just about matching flavors; it's about embracing its versatility. From cookies to curries, this spice plays well with both sweet and savory dishes.
In practice, start small—a little goes a long way here—and taste as you go because too much heat can overpower subtle flavors. A 1:1 replacement is typically fine, but tread lightly.
But get it right? You'll give your dish an unexpected twist that leaves everyone reaching for seconds.
Best for: Ginger is a fantastic mace alternative in hot pasta dishes and adds power to spice rubs. Ginger is a favorite in cookies and spicy cakes.
Related: Easy Gingerbread Men Cookies
5. Pumpkin Pie Spice
Imagine the quintessential flavors of fall, all wrapped up in one aromatic blend; that's pumpkin pie spice for you.
You know it in pumpkin pie. But it's got far more to it than that.
It’s a cozy mix, usually starring cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sometimes allspice. Now let's talk turkey—or rather pumpkin—in terms of replacing mace.
Mace brings warmth and complexity to dishes, but when it’s missing from your pantry, don't sweat it—pumpkin pie spice steps up to the plate and can safely be swapped in equal parts.
Pumpkin pie spice isn’t just a one-trick pony limited to lattes and desserts; use it as an ace in stews or roasted veggies for depth only matched by a well-curated playlist of chill tunes on a crisp evening walk through fallen leaves.
Best for: Pumpkin pie spice can stand in for mace in—you guessed it—pumpkin pie, but it's also good in other pies and pastries and pumpkin cake. It's appropriate for sweet spice rubs and vegetable roasts, though may need some tweaking here.
6. Apple Pie Spice
Imagine the classic American dessert, apple pie, and you'll get a whiff of what apple pie spice brings to the table.
This cozy blend usually stars cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice—sometimes with dashes of cloves or ginger thrown into the mix. It's sweet with a bit of kick; think warm sweaters and fall leaves in flavor form.
While mace has its own distinct warmth and sweetness with a peppery twist, apple pie spice can step in beautifully for that similar profile. You can swap it out 1:1, but adding a little of the spice mix at a time is advised.
If you're whipping up something savory or sweet where mace plays second fiddle rather than leads, give apple pie spice a go. Its multifaceted nature will lend depth without overpowering—a harmonious balance perfect for dishes from roasted veggies to custard pie to coffee cake.
Best for: You can replace mace with apple pie spice in many sweet pastries, cakes, and cookies. It also has a place in spice rubs (especially for pork).
7. Garam Masala
With its roots in Indian cuisine, garam masala is one of the world's best-known spice blends. It typically includes cinnamon, ground cumin, coriander, cardamom, black pepper, cloves, and sometimes more.
It's this robust profile that makes garam masala an excellent substitute for mace.
While they're not identical twins by any stretch—mace is more singular and subtle—garam masala carries some of the same warm undertones along with added depth from its varied ingredients. When you use it instead of mace, start with just a pinch because this mix packs a punch.
It can typically be swapped out in a 1:1 ratio in savory meals, but you may want to stick to swapping 1 part garam masala for 2 parts mace in sweeter dishes.
Best for: Garam masala shines as a mace alternative in spice rubs & grilling. It's wonderful in stews and meaty sauces. You can also use garam masala as a substitute for mace in cakes and cookies (use very sparingly).
8. Ground Cardamom
If mace seasoning had a cousin who loved to travel, it would be ground cardamom.
It's a rare character. That's why finding a cardamom substitute is so tricky.
Cardamom brings an aromatic bouquet of sweet and spicy notes with hints of lemon and mint, which makes it a brilliant 1:1 stand-in for mace's warmth in many dishes.
This versatile spice can give savory dishes like curries and rubs an unexpected twist. The trick is using just enough to add a heady kick without shouting over other ingredients, which is why I prefer cardamom to ground cloves.
Next time your recipe calls for mace and you find yourself out, reach for ground cardamom: your passport to global flavors right from your own pantry.
Best for: Cardamom works surprisingly well as a mace replacement in cakes & cookies (use sparingly. It tastes amazing, but it's different!). It also has applications in grilling, invigorating meaty dishes, and enlivening roast vegetables.
Tips for Substituting Mace
- Mace is more potent than nutmeg, so you may need to use a little more nutmeg to achieve the same results.
- Cinnamon is a very powerful spice! If you're using this as a substitute, tread lightly and add a pinch rather than doing a 1:1 replacement.
- Garam masala is a fantastic substitute in savory recipes. It's also useful in baked goods, but be careful - it contains many savory spices, so too much can overpower a dish.
- Ground cardamom and ground cloves offer depth and punchiness to certain recipes. Their flavors are quite distinctive, though, so consider making them part of a spice blend instead of a full-scale replacement.
FAQs About Mace Substitutes
Nutmeg is a good substitute for mace because they're both part of the nutmeg fruit. It works in savory and sweet dishes such as eggnog truffles.
Cinnamon and allspice are both close to that distinctive mace taste, although you may only want to use half as much cinnamon in some dishes as it's a powerful flavor.
No. Allspice is an aromatic spice used widely in Caribbean cooking and grows on the allspice tree. Mace is made from nutmeg seed. However, you can substitute mace with allspice in a spice blend as they have a similar flavor.
Nutmeg is the closest answer, although it has a slightly more bold flavor. If in doubt, add a little less nutmeg. Also, bear in mind that freshly grated nutmeg is more potent than store-bought powder.
It depends on what you're using it for! The strong flavor of mace is sometimes preferred in rich, creamy, buttery dishes, as it cuts through more effectively. However, nutmeg is often considered more delicate and is a fantastic choice for both savory and sweet recipes.
Wrapping Up
Even if nutmeg's not your thing, there's always allspice, cinnamon, and a plethora of other spices to warm things up.
You'll ace every recipe with these swaps under your belt. Whether it’s baking or cooking, each mace substitute brings its own flair without missing a beat on flavor.
Don’t let an empty jar hold back your culinary adventures—these eight substitutes for mace are here to help you nail those flavors every time!
Recipe
Best Mace Substitutes
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Nutmeg - You can swap at a 1:1 ratio.
- Ground allspice - A 1:1 swap will do wonders without throwing off your kitchen groove.
- Cinnamon - Use a 1:2 cinnamon-to-mace ratio.
Notes
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