This post was originally published on October 3, 2017.
Pumpkin pie spice is the famous flavor in many of autumn treats, most notably the pumpkin spice latte. But what if you're making pumpkin pie, and realize you have no pumpkin pie spice in your pantry? Don't worry--it takes just 4 ingredients to make your own!
What is pumpkin pie spice made of?
Pumpkin pie spice usually contains cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice, with cinnamon being the dominant flavor. Sometimes, ground cloves are also added.
Substitutes for Pumpkin Pie Spice
What if you don't have all the ingredients on hand to make this pumpkin pie spice? Don't worry; here are a few substitutions you can use.
- Simply use ground cinnamon instead of the pumpkin pie spice.
- If you have some nutmeg, mix together 2 parts ground cinnamon to 1 part ground nutmeg.
How much pumpkin pie spice do you put in pumpkin pie?
Anywhere from ½ to 2 teaspoons is a good amount. Most people use 1 ¾ teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice in their pumpkin pies.
10 Ways to Use Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Browned Butter Sauce (pour on pasta for a quick dinner)
- Roasted Veggies (sweet potatoes, squash, carrots)
- Nuts and Popcorn
- Coffee (use it in a homemade PSL or add a couple pinches to regular coffee)
- Whipped Cream (add before whipping the cream)
- Pancakes
- Granola
- Applesauce
- Smoothies
- Cookies, Scones, or Quick Breads
How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice
Measure out all four spices: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice.
Pour the spices into a bowl.
Stir them together until well blended.
Pro Tips
- Use the freshest spices you can. Old, stale spices won't have very much flavor, making your pumpkin pie spice bland.
- If you have the whole spices, grind them fresh yourself. Use a microplane grater for the nutmeg and cinnamon, and a mortar and pestle for the allspice. Grind frozen and dehydrated ginger in a blender or food processor to make your own ground ginger.
- Store the pumpkin pie spice in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, like a pantry or cupboard.
Let's mix up this pumpkin pie spice recipe and enjoy its autumn fragrance and flavor. In my opinion, you can never have too much pumpkin pie spice! 😋
Pumpkin pie spice is the star of these delicious pumpkin recipes.
- Easy Pumpkin Pie Bars: this classic Thanksgiving dessert in slab pie form couldn't be easier to make!
- How to Make a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte: make a Starbucks-quality PSL with real food ingredients.
- Easy Pumpkin Dinner Rolls for Thanksgiving: these fluffy, soft rolls can be made ahead.
Share your thoughts on this pumpkin pie spice recipe by leaving a recipe rating below.
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How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 14 ½ teaspoons 1x
Description
This homemade pumpkin pie spice will take your fall desserts to the next level! This DIY spice blend is super easy to make, and brings a beautiful flavor and aroma to your Thanksgiving desserts. You might want to give some to your friends as gifts!
Ingredients
- 8 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 4 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
Instructions
- Stir together the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice until well mixed.
- Put in an airtight container and store in a cupboard or pantry.
Notes
- It's key to use fresh spices for pumpkin pie spice. For optimal flavor, freshly grate the nutmeg with a microplane grater and grind allspice berries with a mortar and pestle.
- Store the spice blend in a cool, dry place, and use within 3 months for best taste.
- Category: Spices
- Method: Mixed
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade, diy, recipe
Alex
I like the smell of the pumpkin spice! I love it when there's a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice on top of warm applesauce. This is REALLY good!
Emma
Pumpkin spice makes everything nice!
Beth
I love eating pumpkin pie spice on applesauce. It adds such fallish flavor to anything.
Emma
Can't go wrong with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice!