This Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute makes it easy to flavor your pumpkin desserts, coffees, baked goods, and even certain savory dishes with the warm fall spices we commonly think of as “pumpkin spice”. You can even use it as a swap for grocery store apple pie spice!
Use this homemade pumpkin pie spice blend in place of the spices in our favorite Pumpkin Scones or this delicious Spiced Pumpkin Bundt Cake. You can even use a bit in soups and stews, like Easy Slow Cooker Chili to really turn up the fall vibes. And of course, it’s a must-have for a homemade pumpkin spice latte.
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If you’ve ever found yourself baking something that calls for pumpkin pie spice and find that you’re out of it, never fear!
You can make your own pumpkin pie spice substitute with the individual spices. This homemade spice blend is easy to make with common spices used in baking and tastes just as good — for less!
What is Pumpkin Spice?
Pumpkin pie spice blend is just a combination of ground spices, like our other homemade spice blends. It does not contain actual pumpkin, but it used to flavor pumpkin recipes.
This diy pumpkin pie spice is great replacement for the spices in your favorite chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and other baking recipes, like pumpkin bread or pumpkin bars.
You can mix up a small batch of this homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe with a quick dive into your spice cabinet.
Why Make This
It saves money. A stroll down the spice aisle can cost you a pretty penny. Save money when you make just as much (or as little) of this pumpkin spice recipe as you like. Rather than buying one more pricey blend, you can purchase individual spices that can be used on their own in lots of other ways as well as in your own spice blend.
It’s convenient. Having the spices all mixed together means less measuring and quicker baking. This homemade pumpkin spice mix is a one-stop shop for fall flavor! Add your own blend of pumpkin pie spice mix for all the flavors of fall.
You can customize your blend. If you’re accommodating for allergies or flavor preferences, you can adjust the amounts of each spice in your pumpkin spice blend so that it’s exactly how you like it! Adjust the ratio of cinnamon to the blend of spices based on what you like best.
Ingredients
Here are the simple spices you’ll need to make Homemade Pumpkin Spice Mix:
ground cinnamon – made from the inner bark of certain trees, cinnamon is used in both sweet and savory recipes and has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. It’s a must for Cinnamon Rolls and adds an interesting twist to our Greek Spice Blend.
ground ginger – also known as ginger powder, ground ginger is made from fresh ginger root that has been dehydrated and ground into a fine powder. It is often added to sweet spice mixes as well as savory curry powders and garam masala.
ground nutmeg – the ground seed of a certain species of trees, nutmeg is earthy and slightly sweet with a nutty flavor. Often added to holiday sweet recipes, it conjures feelings of Christmas. I love the earthy flavor it gives to Chicken Bowties Pasta.
ground cloves – cloves are from the buds of another type of spice tree and are used for sweet and savory recipes as well as in fragrances. A little goes a long way so you don’t need a lot in your pumpkin spice mix. A pinch does wonders to White Bean Chicken Chili!
ground allspice – also known as Jamaican pepper, allspice is the dried fruit of a plant. It imbues flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, so it’s perfect in pumpkin pie spice.
Money-Saving Tip
Aromatic spices can be expensive and they don’t last forever. Only buy as much fresh spices you can reasonably use within the next 6 months for the best value and flavor. Consider buying larger containers of spices you use often, like cinnamon and ginger. Visit a health food store to buy smaller quantities (as little as a teaspoon!) of the lesser used spices and store them in a small jar at room temperature.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how to make Homemade Pumpkin Spice Mix:
- Measure the spices in to a clean, dry container. Stir well to combine. Sift to remove any clumps.
- Store in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place, for up to 6 months.
- Use in recipes such as pumpkin muffins, as you would commercial pumpkin pie spice, adding an equal amount of your own pumpkin pie spice blend for what the recipe calls for in store-bought pumpkin pie spice.
FAQs
Similar to mixed spice in the UK and Commonwealth, a jar of pumpkin pie spice typically contains cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. Some recipes also include black pepper, white pepper, star anise, mace, and/or coriander. It’s a warming spice blend with a flavor profile that can be used in both sweet and savory recipes.
Allspice is its own spice, also known as myrtle pepper or Jamaican pepper. It is used in Caribbean and Middle Eastern cuisine as well as in pickling and sausage making.
You can transform any dish into a pumpkin spice version by adding a small amount of this spice mix to it. Consider adding pumpkin spice to whipped cream, yogurt, coffee creamer, frosting, coffee, donuts, or savory soups, stews, or sauces. It’s perfect in your favorite pumpkin pie recipe.
Great Fall Recipes
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Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute
Equipment
- fine mesh sieve
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Measure out the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice into a fine mesh sieve. Sift until all the clumps are removed.1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, 1 tablespoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- Stir in the cloves which are usually too large to fit through the holes of a sieve.1 teaspoon ground cloves
- Store the mixture in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Use as you would commercial spice.
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