Pumpkin Pie Spice

For Fall baking, mix up your own Pumpkin Pie Spice aka pumpkin spice! A famous American seasoning blend that is so easy to make at home.

You can use whole spices, and grind them at home or use preground spices. And we will cover 20 great recipe ideas to use it for all things pumpkin! When the leaves are falling, things slow down. It's time to sip hot drinks, go apple picking, and make pumpkin everything...

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Recipe

First, did you know that pumpkin spice does not actually contain pumpkin?

My first tip is to use fresh, quality pantry spices. It will taste so much better for our favorite homemade recipes throughout the pumpkin season. This spice blend has a place in our hearts and a spot in our spice cabinet for Fall recipes!

It is the perfect blend of cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. And creates a classic spice for our favorite pumpkin recipes like desserts, and flavoring for pumpkin pie. By the way, occasionally, mace is also part of the mix.

Seasoning Mix Simple Ingredients

• ground cinnamon
• ground ginger
• ground nutmeg
• ground allspice
• ground cloves

PRO TIP: Did you know that apple pie spice is also a good substitute for this recipe? It swaps in ground cardamon for the ground gloves, and is also a great mixed spice to keep on hand for baking!

Instructions

1. Add all the spices to a bowl, and mix well using a small whisk or small spoon.
2. Use a small funnel to fill the jars and store them in an airtight glass spice jar in a dry place.
3. Try grinding some of your own whole spices to make it taste even better! You can make fresh ground spices from whole cloves, whole allspice, whole nutmeg, and whole cinnamon sticks. Use a clean coffee grinder or a nutmeg grinder, specifically made for larger nutmeg nuts.
4. After mixing up homemade spices, store them in mini-ball jars! They are tiny versions of the classic pint or quart jars. Or clean an old spice jar and fill it with spice mixture using a small funnel to fill the jar.
5. Be sure the lid is airtight, and use within 3-4 months for peak flavor. Get all kinds of ways to use this mix in the printable recipe card below at the bottom of the post.

You can buy whole or ground spices from the grocery store. And look for a section in the store for bulk seasoning, there are great values there! Just be sure to have a way to grind them at home.

It is so fun to make smaller batches of your own blend at home for simple spices. Skip the spice aisle, and for savory dishes, try my easy recipes for Cajun seasoning, 5 Finishing Salt flavors, and the best BBQ Rub.

Grinding Whole Spices

Ground whole spices have more flavor intensity. Be sure to use fresh spices, not ones that have been around for a while! If you are a big fan of cloves, put those pantry staples to good use, and grind them into powder for this recipe!

PRO TIP: You can take any whole spices in your pantry and grind them in a coffee grinder for homemade spice blends. Simply wipe out after and grinding individual spices. Nutmeg is easy to grind with a Microplane or in a good nutmeg grinder.

Substitutes & Variations

Cinnamon is the leading ingredient in Pumpkin Pie Spice, and most important.

This will come close to the taste, won't be exact but will still be delicious.

PRO TIP: If you are low or don't have cinnamon the easiest way is for each tablespoon of cinnamon add at least 1-2 teaspoons of what you have on hand of ground spices like ginger, nutmeg, allspice, or cloves.

How To Store Spices

You can use mini Ball spice jars, small versions of classic jars. Or a clean old spice container with a small funnel to fill the whole jar.

Be sure the lid is airtight, store at room temperature in a dark place, and use within 3-4 months for peak flavor.

How Did Pumpkin Spice Get So Popular?

The global popularity of pumpkin spice all started with the "Starbucks PSL" in the Fall of 2003. Do you remember that? It became one of people's Autumn season favorite things. Try my home version that has easy ingredients. And it tastes like a coffee house Pumpkin Latte! Stay home and relax.

What Recipes Use Pumpkin Pie Spice?

• Add into soft butter for pumpkin butter on pancakes.
• Use it to make hot drinks like a Pumpkin Latte!
• Whip into heavy whipped cream, dollop on Apple Pie, Apple Crisp, pecan, or easy pumpkin pie.
• Sprinkle on Candied Pecans, try my recipe!
• Mix into pancake or waffle batter.
• Add some into your coffee grounds before brewing your morning coffee.
• Add to cookie dough to make pumpkin sugar cookies.
• Bake pumpkin bars with a warm spice flavor.
• Mix in pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
• Stir into an icebox pumpkin dessert.
• Bake into muffins.
• Sprinkle on top of a breakfast Yogurt Parfait.
• Add to healthy Pumpkin Bread or quick bread.
• Add a spoonful to hot cocoa.
• Stir into soft vanilla ice cream.
• Sprinkle on hot oatmeal for breakfast.
• Flavor homemade Granola.

Global Spice Trade

Pumpkin spice has early origins from the 16th-century Dutch spice trade. It is also similar to the British mixed spice. It has traveled around the globe and is used in many dishes, most sweet but some savory.

From secret islands, baked into Dutch shortbread, to British mixed spice, and to the New World, it has traveled around the globe in various forms for centuries.

All these different mixed spices come from different parts of the world and create the blend we love today.

Pumpkin Pie Spice FAQ

More Delicious Pumpkin Recipes & DIY Ideas

These Pumpkin Lattes have fresh ingredients, warm spices (this Pumpkin Pie Spice mix), and strong hot coffee. Create a coffee house in your own kitchen.

Save the seeds from Jack-o-lantern pumpkin carving this time of year! Roasted Pumpkin Seeds are great to top soups and sprinkle on salads. And they are a perfect low-carb keto snack idea.

A rich delicious Pumpkin Bread scratch recipe with warm Fall spices, fresh orange juice, and loaded with milk chocolate chips. This quick bread recipe comes together in minutes, with just a spatula and a bowl. And it will also make pumpkin chocolate chip muffins!

Thanksgiving Table Pumpkin Centerpieces are gorgeous on your table using bright fall-colored squash, pumpkins, flowers, and greenery.

Serve a "pumpkin-shaped" Everything Bagel Cheese Ball appetizer for your next Fall party, it's always a hit! Easy to make ahead in 15 minutes, chill, and take to a gathering. And how cute is it with a real stem?

Succulent Pumpkins are an easy Fall or Thanksgiving Centerpiece idea. These will last up to 2 months and are gorgeous for Autumn decorating.