Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice is so easy to make with ingredients you likely have on hand, and it's uses go way beyond pumpkin pie. Once you make your own fresh and customizable blend, you'll never go back to buying it again!
Here's how to make your own homemade pumpkin spice blend and how to use it. Enjoy the freshness, the adaptability, and the savings.
It's fall, which means it's time for pumpkin everything. If you're like me, you've found yourself bookmarking or printing a number of of mouth-watering pumpkin recipes.
One thing you'll be using over and over again for all your fall baking is pumpkin pie spice.
I always say, if you can make it yourself, why buy it? And when it comes to spice blends, that's even more the case.
Making your own homemade seasoning blends is so easy, it's a great thing to do for anyone wanting to save money and be creative.
You only need 5 minutes and a handful of ingredients (which you likely have in your pantry right now), and you can have a freshly blended pumpkin spice mix ready in no time.
What Ingredients Are Typically In Pumpkin Pie Spice?
Pumpkin Pie Spice is a blend of delicious “warm” spices that are commonly used in pumpkin pie.
Cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice are the most common spices in pumpkin pie spice, but cardamom sometimes makes an appearance as well, giving the blend an unexpected sort of floral twist.
Why Make Your Own?
As I mentioned in my post on how to make your own spice blends, by making your own blend, you will:
- save money - spice blends cost more than single spice blends, plus by using what you have on hand you an avoid another trip to the grocery store. And you can more easily buy spices in bulk since you will use them up more quickly.
- skip additives - avoid questionable additives and flavor enhancers in some blends
- customizable - make your blend your way!
- family fun - it's a simple thing your kids can help with in the kitchen
So, what are you waiting for?
Ways to Use This Blend
This blend is about way more than just pumpkin pie!
- in pumpkin pie, of course (this sugar-free pumpkin pie is what we make every year!)
- in other pumpkin desserts like this Sugar free Pumpkin Custard
- as a stir in for coffee and coffee drinks (think Homemade Pumpkin Spice Lattes!) or this Coffee Substitute for those of you avoiding caffeine. It would be great in tea too!
- add to whipped cream
- in spiced nut mixes
- top popcorn with this a sweetened version of this blend for a fun pumpkin pie popcorn.
- on savory dishes like this Ground Beef Curry
- on pasta
- baked goods: Simply stir or whisk into batter of something like these before cooking or baking, or sprinkle on top with a little sweetener mixed in. It would taste great in these Eggnog Pancakes or on top of these Soft Pumpkin Cookies.
That's it! Now that you know how to make pumpkin pie spice, you're armed and ready for a pumpkin-baking fest.
Recipes That Use Pumpkin Pie Spice
If you love pumpkin as much as we do, you'll love the following recipes:
Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
Pumpkin Custard
Soft Pumpkin Cookies
White Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles
and loads of Healthy Pumpkin Recipes
NOTE: Not all of these recipes use pumpkin spice, but you can easily substitute the same amount of pumpkin spice for the total of the other spices in the recipe.
Other Homemade Spice Recipes
Want to try your hand at some of my other handy-dandy spice recipes? How about:
- Homemade Taco Seasoning
- Do It Yourself All-Purpose Seasoning | Vegetable Broth Mix
- Chaat Masala (a truly wonderful Indian spice mix that we put on [almost] everything!)
- The BEST Basic Chili Powder
- The BEST Popcorn Seasoning
Recipe Notes and Tips
Since it's your kitchen, you can make this pumpkin pie spice recipe your way. If you'd like a more warm blend, add more cinnamon. For more bite to your blend, up the ginger.
You can blend the spice in a bowl and add to your jar, or if you'd rather, add the spices right to a jar and shake to blend.
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a small bowl.
- Stir well to combine.
- Transfer to an air-tight container.
- Store out of the light in a cool place.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is merely an approximation. Optional ingredients are not included and when there is an alternative, the primary ingredient is typically used. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts since they have been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
The above nutrition facts are estimates only. Please read my Nutrition Disclaimer here.
Note that this post was originally published in October 2011. It was republished with new information and new images. Following is one of the original photos for reference:
Hope you enjoy this in all of your pumpkin baking and year round as well!
I happily made this homemade pumpkin pie spice, but I can’t find anywhere to give you the amount to use in one pie or pumpkin bread. So is it a tablespoon or teaspoon?
Hi there! Glad you made it! I think it depends on the recipe. Add up the spices that they use and use this accordingly.
I am not a fan of cloves, therefore avoiding pumpkin pie spice! Love fall desserts though, so has anyone made this without the addition of the cloves?
I'd just try it. Maybe add some more allspice, cinnamon or nutmeg instead:).
I adore pumpkin and this is a lovely pumpkin pie spice mix. It's going to be very handy this time of year!
You are so right, it is much better to prepare spice blends at home for cost and better ingredients. Thanks for sharing on Hearth & Soul Hop. 🙂
Thanks for sharing with us at Healthy 2Day Wednesdays! I love pumpkin stuff! 🙂
Thanks for this great post! I'm definitely going to make this, I've been getting so much pumpkins and squashes in my CSA box - I'm going to use this mix for crustless squash pie and maybe some pumpkin smoothies as well.
Thanks for sharing this at the Real Food Holidays Blog Carnival!
You're welcome, Lisa! Mmmmmm...crustless squash pie? Maybe you could share a recipe or two? Nice to find your blog. Happy Thanksgiving!
Oh, I love this! I love to make my own spices and always save empty containers so that I can reuse them for my own blends. I've never made pumpkin spice before but now I can whip up a batch. Thanks for sharing on Sweet Indulgences Sunday.
You're welcome, Kim!
Love this! I just ran out of pumpkin pie spice last week and keep forgetting to buy it. I have everything listed!
Thanks for linking up to Momtrends Friday Food!
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe/tip! I'm sharing a link with my Facebook and Twitter fans!
Jenn
You are welcome!
I love making all my own spice blends - I have several I keep on hand! I just recently made up a pumpkin pie spice blend myself for all my pumpkin recipes this fall. I need to start buying my spices in bulk!
Hi Lydia! It is unbelievable how much you can save making your own blends. One more way to stretch your dollars a little farther :-)!
I started making a few blends, not too long ago, when I came across one, I could not find anywhere. I realized, how easy and thrifty it turned out to be. Thanks for this one, I can add to my growing collection which is still small.
You are welcome, Bizzy!
Thank you for your submission on Nourishing Treasures' Make Your Own! Monday link-up.
Check back later tonight when the new link-up is running to see if you were one of the top 3 featured posts! 🙂
I never have "pumpkin pie spice" so I do the same thing you do. Just mix up some cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. I don't add the ginger, but I will now. Just never thought of it before. Thanks for linking up at A Little Nosh this week!
You're welcome, Amy! Thanks for stopping by!