Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe

Did you know you can make your homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe? This DIY pumpkin spice recipe combines ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves.

Use this homemade spice mix to make pumpkin biscotti, pumpkin muffins and so much more! 

Have you ever wondered what pumpkin spice is?

Pumpkin Spice, aka pumpkin pie spice, is simply a mixture of ground spices.

If you enjoy fall baking recipes, this is for you. 

I love to use this spice blend when making chocolate chip pumpkin muffins or pumpkin biscotti. It is also a great flavor when sprinkled on Apple Chips, baked apples, or this recipe for Arborio rice pudding.

For thousands of years, and still to this day, spices have always had great commercial value. During the last couple of years, this spice mix has become all the rage! 

I recently read an article stating that the demand for this spice is at an all-time high thanks to the marketing genius of Starbucks.  

What if I told you that you could easily make this blend of spices in the comfort of your own home?

Just like this allspice recipe, you will be amazed at how effortless this is.

So the next time you run out of the storebought variety, make your own!  

Evolution of pumpkin spice in popular culture: In the 20th century, pumpkin spice became associated with fall and the holiday season in the United States. In the 1990s, Starbucks introduced the Pumpkin Spice Latte, which became a cultural phenomenon and helped cement pumpkin spice’s status as a fall flavor.

 

How pumpkin spice became associated with fall and the holiday season:

The availability of pumpkins during fall and the seasonal use of traditional spices inspired the association of pumpkin spice with this season. The warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves are also well-suited to the cooler weather and holiday festivities of the fall and winter months.

Ingredients

• Cinnamon: A comforting spice available in sticks or ground.
• Ginger: It is one of the oldest and most popular spices used throughout the world.
• Nutmeg: If available, freshly grated nutmeg has much more flavor than the ready-prepared ground variety.
• Allspice: Such warm flavors!
• Cloves: Did you know this is the unopened flower bud of an evergreen tree from Southeast Asia? 

As far as accessories are concerned, you need a small jar with a tight-fitting lid. You will also need a spice sifter or a small whisk.

Are you ready to begin?

Instructions

This is one of the easiest recipes you will ever make!

Once you have all of your spices, measure the amounts, one at a time, and place them in a spice sifter placed over a jar (a small whisk can also be used).

More specifically, you will need 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon ground allspice, and ¼ teaspoon ground cloves.

Sift it into the jar, and there you have it! Your very own pumpkin pie spice mix. And it only takes a few minutes to make!

Tips

• The amounts indicated in this recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled, based on the desired quantity.
• Once your spice mix is made, give the jar a shake or two every time you use it to ensure the even distribution of the spices.
• This homemade spice version can easily be adapted if allergies are an issue. 
• Making your blend is a lot cheaper than any commercial product.
• This homemade spice mix makes the perfect hostess gift.

FAQ

Can this recipe be used as a pumpkin pie spice substitute? 

Yes! This is the best recipe for a homemade substitute for pumpkin pie spice! 

How can I use it?

Pumpkin spice is a great addition to homemade hot drinks, like coffee, tea or even hot chocolate. It is also great if you sprinkle it on your oatmeal.

How is it stored?

Store pumpkin spice in an airtight container alongside all your other spices at room temperature for up to 6 months.

Is allspice the same as pumpkin spice?

Not at all. Ground allspice (along with other spices) is a standard ingredient in making pumpkin spice. 

If ever you come across any recipe that requires a combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and/or cloves, replace it with equal amounts of this spice blend. Not only is it quicker to measure, but so convenient and adaptable to your tastes.

Recipe origins

I am forever reading food labels. As a mother and a dietitian, I have always felt that it is important to know where food comes from and what we eat.

There is another reason I like to read food labels. Unfortunately, I have a sensitivity to sulfites. Imagine my surprise when I realized that sulfites were being added to this commercially sold spice! 

Since I love fall baking, I started making my own. This spice combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves is something that I have perfected over the years to suit myself and my family’s tastes.

It’s so easy to customize this homemade spice recipe to suit your personal preferences. 

So, go ahead and make yourself that latte! Or, if you are like me, bake with it…

After all, it is the quintessential aroma of fall!

THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

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Ciao for now,

Maria 

★★★★★ If you have tried this substitute for pumpkin pie spice in your baked goods, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Recipe

This post was originally published on November 13, 2018 and republished on September 9, 2019 with updated content. Thanks for sharing.