Make this easy homemade pumpkin pie spice mix for all your autumn baking needs! Warm and cozy, with just a hint of a kick, it’s the perfect flavor for fall!
Have I ever mentioned that I love pumpkin? Pumpkin Donuts, Pumpkin Larabar Bites, Pumpkin Swirl Black Bean Brownies…I could go on and on!
While pumpkin in and of itself is AMAZING, I think it’s the pumpkin pie spice that I really love. The warm rich flavors just make it feel like fall.
Since pumpkin pie is my favorite fall flavor, it makes sense to have the spice mix on hand for all my fall baking. And instead of running out to buy an expensive little container, I make pumpkin pie spice on my own!
WHY MAKE PUMPKIN PIE SPICE
So why make pumpkin pie spice yourself?
- It’s way cheaper! You can find store-bought pumpkin spice blends like McCormick on the shelves at Walmart. But honestly, you don’t need to pay $5 for something you can make with individual spices you already have at home.
- Convenient. Instead of running out to the store for just one thing (which usually turns into more than one thing), you can mix up your own spice blend at home.
- Versatile. Add the cardamom or skip it, or throw in extra cloves if you like them. You control the flavor!
- Easy to make a big batch! If you’re like me and you love fall baking, make a triple batch (or larger!) and have enough pumpkin pie spice for the whole season.
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WHAT IS IN PUMPKIN SPICE MIX?
This homemade pumpkin spice recipe calls for 5 simple and common ingredients. If you don’t have one of the ingredients, you can always skip it this time around. But a true pumpkin spice substitute will include all of these ground spices.
- Ground cinnamon. This is the base of your pumpkin spice mix. It’s warm and delicious. Cinnamon is also a key player in my kids’ favorite Snickerdoodle Hummus.
- Ground nutmeg. Like its name, nutmeg has a slightly nutty flavor that rounds out the sharpness of the other spices.
- Cloves. You only need a small number of cloves to go a long way. If you find fresh cloves and want to grind them yourself, use a small coffee grinder like this one to do the job! You can also use dried ground cloves.
- Ground ginger. This adds a sweet and spicy flavor to the mix. I always have ground ginger on hand for sweet treats like Gingersnaps and main dishes like Egg Roll in a Bowl.
- Cardamom (optional). I’m personally not a huge fan of cardamom, but it does add a pungent sweet and peppery flavor to the pumpkin pie spice. Pick it up if you find it on sale!
If you look at the label of pumpkin pie spice at the store, you might also see ground allspice as an ingredient. This ground-up berry tastes like a mix of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
Since those flavors are already in this pumpkin pie spice recipe, I’m skipping the allspice – and saving money by NOT buying another ingredient! If you already have it, you can add ¼ teaspoon to your pumpkin pie spice along with the other ingredients.
HOW TO MAKE PUMPKIN PIE SPICE
Making your own spice blends is really one of the easiest things you can do in the kitchen!
Step 1. Combine all ingredients in a small glass jar and shake to mix well.
Store with your other spices in a repurposed jar (here’s how I remove labels).
Use within 6 months. Makes approximately 2 teaspoons.
USE PUMPKIN PIE SPICE IN PUMPKIN PIE OR OTHER RECIPES
Having this homemade spice mix in your pantry means you can use pumpkin pie spice in pumpkin pie or other yummy pumpkin recipes.
The classics are:
- Healthy Pumpkin Pie
- Pumpkin Donuts
- Overnight Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
- Pumpkin Bars Bites
- Classic Pumpkin Bread
- Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Black Bean Brownies with Pumpkin Swirl
- Pumpkin Pie Hummus
- Pumpkin Cake
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
MORE YUMMY PUMPKIN PIE SPICED TREATS
Try even more pumpkin pie spiced goodies with these beverages and snacks!
- Coffee Creamer: ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice + 1 Tbsp maple syrup + 2 Tbsp half & half
- Pumpkin Spice Tea: ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice + 1 cup of chai tea (serve over ice to enjoy cold)
- Hot Chocolate: ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice + single serving of Homemade Instant Hot Cocoa
- Kid-Friendly “Pumpkin Spice Latte”: ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice + 1 Tbsp maple syrup + 1 cup warmed apple juice/cider + 1 Tbsp half & half (serve over ice to enjoy cold)
- Yogurt: ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice + 1 cup regular or Greek yogurt
- Smoothie: use pumpkin spice mix in your favorite smoothie recipe, or make a high protein option found in my ebook High Protein No Powder.
- Pumpkin Spice Toast. Spread butter on a slice of toasted Sourdough Bread and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice. Yum!
You can also use a homemade pumpkin spice blend in any recipe that calls for ground cinnamon and one or more of the other spices in the mixture. Just substitute an equal amount.
PUMPKIN PE SPICE FAQS
What can I use if I don’t have pumpkin pie spice?
As I’ve just demonstrated here, you can whip up your own pumpkin pie spice mix quickly! If you don’t have one of the 5 spices listed, but you do have cinnamon and at least 1-2 of the others, you’re good to go!
What is the difference between allspice and pumpkin pie spice?
Allspice is a ground-up berry that tastes like a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, but it’s just one spice. Pumpkin pe spice is a mixture of 5 different spices.
How do you make 1 Tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice?
This recipe makes 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice, and there are 3 teaspoons in 1 Tablespoon. So, making a 1.5x batch will give you about a Tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice.
MORE HOMEMADE SEASONING MIXES
Here are some of my other favorite spice mixes:
- Homemade Taco Seasoning
- Dry Onion Soup Mix
- Homemade Ranch Seasoning
- Homemade Poultry Seasoning
- Seasoning Salt
- Homemade Italian Seasoning
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Make this easy homemade pumpkin pie spice mix for all your autumn baking needs! Warm and cozy, with just a hint of a kick, it’s the perfect flavor for fall!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 teaspoons 1x
- Category: Sauces/Condiments
- Method: Combine
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 tsp freshly ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp freshly ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp freshly ground cloves
- ½ tsp freshly ground dried ginger
- pinch cardamom (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small glass jar and shake to mix well.
Notes
- Use within 6 months. Makes approximately 2 teaspoons.
Nutrition
- Calories: 14
This is my go to! Saves money to just make your own. And I always have the individual spices on hand. I click on the 3x recipe and then multiply that again x3 or x6 so I have a good amount for the fall and winter seasons! Smoothies, muffins, pancakes, oatmeal, coffee here we come!
With the amount I go through, I will most likely have to get some premade, just a few servings per batch isn’t enough. Even if I times everything by 3.
Allspice is and actual spice in and of itself. The combination you suggest is a good substitute, but not exactly what allspice is!
I appreciate the insight, MaryBeth!
Marybeth you are correct!
“Allspice is the dried, unripened berry of the myrtle pepper tree, or pimento, which is native to Jamaica and much of Central America. The berries are briefly fermented, then sun-dried until brown. Often mistaken for a blend of spices, allspice is a single-ingredient seasoning with loads of unique flavor.”