Making your own pumpkin pie spice at home is a game-changer. With just a few basic spices, you can create a blend that’s fresher and more flavorful than anything you’ll find at the store. I love knowing exactly what’s in my spice mix, and it’s a great way to add a personal touch to all my Fall and holiday recipes.
This post contains helpful tips and tricks! If you’re in a rush, please use the “Jump to Recipe” above!
💭 Why you’ll love this recipe
- Add it to your favorite recipes. Pumpkin pie spice can be used in just about anything, not just pumpkin pie. Whether you’re adding it to a homemade pumpkin spice latte, baking a pumpkin cookie, or whipping up a chili or stew, it’s a great spice blend to keep handy for all your autumn cooking.
- Keeps for a year. No need to buy or measure every time you need pumpkin spice. Store it properly, and it stays fresh for over a year.
- Easy to customize. Unlike store-bought pumpkin pie spice, you can customize this homemade version as you like. You can change the measurements and add more of the spices that you like, or add other spices like cayenne or black pepper.
📋 Ingredients and notes
To make a homemade pumpkin pie spice blend, you’ll need ground cinnamon, ground ginger powder, ground nutmeg, allspice, and ground cloves.
Variations and Substitutions
- Cinnamon. Cinnamon is the main component of pumpkin spice, so make sure not to substitute it for any other ingredient, and use fresh, good-quality cinnamon powder.
- Spicy variation. If you’re looking to add a kick of heat to the traditional pumpkin pie spice blend, add cayenne pepper or black pepper.
- Cardamom. Experiment by adding a small amount of cardamom for a unique twist on the classic blend. It adds citrusy and floral notes, balancing the earthy flavors.
📖 How to make pumpkin pie spice
Step 1:
Add all the individual spices into a small mixing bowl and use a whisk or fork to combine them well.
Step 2:
Transfer to an airtight container (like a spice jar) and store until ready to use! Use it for drinks, desserts, and even savory recipes.
Shruthi’s Top Tip
Sift the spices together to ensure an even mix, avoiding any clumps.
- Adjust the proportions to suit your taste; more cinnamon for warmth, extra nutmeg for a sweeter touch.
- Toast whole spices lightly in a dry pan before grinding them to enhance their flavors.
- Add a pinch of white pepper for a subtle heat that balances the sweetness of the other spices.
- Use a dedicated coffee grinder or spice grinder to avoid cross-contamination with other flavors.
👩🏽🍳 Troubleshooting FAQs
A common ratio is 3 parts cinnamon, 2 parts ginger, 1 part nutmeg, and 1 part cloves, but feel free to adjust to your taste.
Yes, but make sure to grind whole spices finely and measure after grinding to get the correct proportions.
It’s perfect for pies, cookies, breads, lattes, roasted vegetables, and even oatmeal. Add it to any recipe where you want a warm, spicy flavor.
Absolutely! Cardamom, allspice, or a touch of black pepper can add interesting flavors. Adjust the blend to your liking.
🍴 How to use homemade pumpkin spice blend
Having a pumpkin pie spice mix on hand is so convenient for Fall baking, cooking, and even whipping up drinks. During that time of year when it starts to get chilly, I love making pumpkin spice latte, and I never have to spend on Starbucks since making this recipe. I also love making Fall desserts with this spice blend, like pumpkin cookies, pumpkin white chocolate cookies, and pumpkin muffins.
🍴Storage and reheating suggestions
To store pumpkin pie spice, transfer it to an airtight container, like a sealed jar. Place it in a cool, dry place, like a pantry or cupboard, to maintain its flavor and avoid exposure to heat, light, and moisture.
Label and date your spice mix to ensure freshness. Homemade spice blends are best used within six months to a year.
🍴 More Fall recipes
If you’re looking for even more recipe ideas, take a look at our extensive collection of recipes:
Apple Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
Vegan Pumpkin Banana Bread (with chocolate chips!)
Pumpkin Muffins (with Crumb Topping!)
Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you tried this recipe, don’t forget to comment and rate! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a small mixing bowl and use a whisk or fork to combine them well.
- Transfer to an airtight container (like a spice jar) and store until ready to use!
Notes
- Pumpkin pie spice is not just for sweet dishes or beverages! Add a quarter teaspoon of cayenne and you can make delicious, spicy coffee or season vegetables with it to extend how you use the spice!
- Allspice is the one spice in this blend that folks might not have on hand as readily. But never fear: if you don’t have allspice, you can make a solid substitute. Whisk 3½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1¼ teaspoons ground nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves. Then, use 1 teaspoon of this mixture in the recipe and store the rest.
- You can customize this with any other warm spices too – for instance, you can add cardamom (quarter to half teaspoon to start).
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
