Pumpkin Pie Spice

At a glance

What stands out: Learn how to make pumpkin pie spice to use in everything from pumpkin pie recipes to pumpkin spice lattes, and more. All you need is a few spices and a few minutes!

How long it takes: 5 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: measuring spoon, small jar
Servings: makes about ¼ cup

Fall In A Jar

Don’t you just love the fall season with rows of gleaming orange pumpkins, brilliantly colorful leaves, azure blue sky, and a crisp tinge in the air? And of course, there’s the food: mulled cider, cinnamon sugar-dusted apple cider doughnuts, and pumpkin everything.

When the days turn cool and crisp, use pumpkin pie spice in all your favorite fall recipes. This from-scratch spice is featured in everything from our lighter pumpkin bread to pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, from-scratch pumpkin pie, and more. Keep reading for straightforward ways to use pumpkin spice! (Mixed spice is another name for pumpkin pie spice and they’re interchangeable in recipes.)

What makes ours special:

• Better quality spices. Making your own seasoning mixes is budget-friendly and tastes way better than store-bought. This from-scratch pumpkin pie spice is straightforward to customize to your taste, and it’s free of any additives or preservatives.
• Straightforward ingredients. Chances are, you already have what you need in your pantry. Five simple spices and five minutes is all it takes.

Chey Said:

“Absolutely reliable blend!! You saved our baking day! Thank you so much for the recipe.”

See More Reader Reviews

What goes in

We've included some speedy notes on the short list of spices you’ll need to make your own pumpkin spice. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card below for the full ingredient amounts and recipe details.

• Cinnamon: Sweet and warm, ground cinnamon is the foundation of the blend.
• Nutmeg: Store-bought ground nutmeg works fine. But, we promise, once you try freshly grated nutmeg, you’ll never go back! The flavor of pre-ground just can’t compare. Buy whole nutmegs (they look like a hard, round nut in the dry goods section) and use a fine zester or grater to scrape off the amount you need.
• Ginger: Another warming spice, ground ginger packs a zesty punch reminiscent of gingersnaps.
• Allspice: Despite the name, allspice is just one spice. It’s a dried berry, also called Jamaica pepper, and ground into a fine powder.
• Cloves: You may be more used to whole cloves, but you’ll need ground cloves for this pumpkin spice blend. This dark brown spice has a powerful flavor, so use it sparingly. Take a sniff and if you’re not sure about it, start with a half teaspoon and add more to taste.

Handy Tool

We usually use our fine zester to grate nutmeg but there are other nifty little tools available. We're thinking about buying this cute little nutmeg grater. It’s inexpensive, too!

Buy it on Amazon

How it comes together

Combine ingredients. Use a measuring spoon to measure out each ground spice into a jar or container, put the lid on, and shake it.You can also stir the spices together in a bowl before transferring the mixed spice to a storage container.

Recipe Tips

• Use fresh spices. There’s no need to buy a bunch of brand-new spices for this recipe, just as long as yours haven’t been sitting in the cupboard for 10 years. If they have, our advice to you is to start fresh. You won’t be sorry!
• Double or triple the recipe. If you find that you’re using this spice blend often, it might be a good idea to make a bigger batch of pumpkin pie spice mix. Just keep the ratio the same.
• Make it the way you like it. If you’re not fond of a particular ingredient, simply omit it. You can also substitute extra cinnamon, or another warm sweet spice, such as cardamom.

How To Use Pumpkin Pie Spice

We're sure you’ll find loads of ways to use pumpkin pie spice in all your favorite recipes! Here are a few of our own ideas to get you started.

• Pumpkin pie. Of course! Your from-scratch pumpkin pies just got a whole lot more from-scratch, right down to the pumpkin pie spice.
• Fall baking. There are so many fall desserts and baked goods that call for pumpkin spice! Try pumpkin poke cake or these lighter pumpkin bran muffins.
• Snacking. Pumpkin spice candied walnuts are the reliable cozy snack with your pumpkin spice latte! We love this straightforward pumpkin dip with gingersnaps or graham crackers.
• Breakfast. Add a dash of this spice blend to your bowl of oatmeal. A teaspoon or so mixed in with your pancake or waffle mix will taste like fall.
• Hot drinks. Skip the lineup at the local coffee house and make your own from-scratch pumpkin spice lattes, hot apple cider, and more.
• Ice cream. Mix pumpkin pie spice into vanilla ice cream or use it to flavor from-scratch whipped cream.
• Savory. Add a sprinkle of warm spice to roasted sweet potatoes and other winter vegetables, like butternut squash.

How to Store

Use an airtight container. We like to recycle old spice jars to put our from-scratch spice blends in. We write up a speedy label and date it before stashing our pumpkin pie spice in the pantry. It’s important to store spices and dried herbs in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight, like inside a pantry or cupboard.

This pumpkin pie spice will keep fresh for two to three years if stored properly.

Browse All →Browse All →

• Yield: 44
• Prep: 5 minutes
• Total: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (see note)
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves

Method

1. Mix all ingredients in a small jar or airtight container. Makes a little less than a quarter cup.

Notes

Nutmeg: Use store-bought ground nutmeg if you need to but we promise once you try freshly grated, you’re never going back!

Storage: Store at room temperature in your pantry or cupboard. We like to use a clean dry jar, usually a recycled empty spice jar. Pumpkin pie spice keeps for two to three years if stored properly.

How to use: Use this spice blend for pumpkin pie, of course, but check out the post above for lots more ideas and recipes.