Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe (2024)

The quick, simple recipe for making Pumpkin Pie Spice at home.

Hey, friend, if you’re here, I’m guessing you’re about to make a recipe that calls for pumpkin pie spice, and you realized that’s not something you keep in your cupboard.

No worries, I’ve got you covered.

Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe (1)

Quick DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute

If you need a quick batch of homemade pumpkin spice, here is the recipe for three different amounts you might need:

For 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 lightly heaping teaspoon ground cloves or allspice

For 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 lightly heaping teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 lightly heaping teaspoon ground ginger
  • Generous pinch of ground cloves or allspice

For 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin spice

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Generous pinch of ground nutmeg
  • Generous pinch of ground ginger
  • Small pinch of ground cloves or allspice

For anything less than 1/2 teaspoon or in between these measurements, make the nearest larger amount and measure out what you need from it.

Okay, now go finish your recipe. Or if you want to know a little more about pumpkin pie spice, read on…

Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe (2)

What is in pumpkin pie spice?

Pumpkin Spice is almost always made with the same 3 base ingredients:

  • Ground cinnamon: The main base flavor in pumpkin pie spice is always cinnamon.
  • Ground ginger: Ginger gives the spice mix a warming, slightly spicy little bite.
  • Ground nutmeg: Nutmeg has a nutty, almost sweet flavor that helps round out the flavors of the other ingredients. A little nutmeg goes a long way for some people. If you don’t like nutmeg, you can reduce the amount in your blend by half.

And some blends omit a fourth ingredient entirely, but most also contain either ground cloves or allspice.

  • Ground cloves: Cloves have a strong warm and slightly bitter flavor that adds a bit of depth to the blend.
  • Allspice: Allspice is so-named because its flavor is a combo of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with an extra peppery kick, so it intensifies nearly all the flavors in the blend.

I generally prefer using ground cloves, as allspice is a little peppery for my taste, but some people complain that cloves make their pumpkin pie spice taste too much like gingerbread.

If you have both of these spices, I recommend the very scientific process of smelling them, seeing which you prefer, and using that one. And if you don’t have either and don’t want to buy more spices, just go ahead and omit adding a fourth spice.

How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice

Simply stir all spices together in a small airtight container like a small jar or leftover empty spice container.

How to Store

Store your pumpkin spice in an airtight container away from heat. It will stay fresh for 3-4 months, so if you make a batch in September, it should last you through your holiday baking season.

Like all spices, it will start to lose its kick with time, so don’t make too large of a batch if you’re not sure you’re going to be able to use it within the next few months.

FAQ

What can I use instead of pumpkin pie spice?

If you don’t have all the ingredients for the full recipe, you can substitute any combination of ground cinnamon plus the ingredients you do have. It will be missing some of that true pumpkin spice flavor, but it will work in a pinch.

I wouldn’t try substituting for pumpkin pie spice without cinnamon.

Can I add pumpkin pie spice to coffee?

If you’re craving a Pumpkin Spice Latte, you can use pumpkin spice to make one BUT don’t just add spoonfuls of it to your morning coffee.

Cinnamon does not dissolve well into liquid, so you’ll just have lumps of it floating in your coffee. Instead, add it to your coffee grounds before brewing your coffee. The brewed coffee will pick up all the flavors of the pumpkin spices, and then you can stir in some warm milk, cream, sugar, and maybe a drop or two of vanilla.

To use pumpkin pie spice in coffee, add 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice per 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) of ground coffee.

Is allspice the same as pumpkin pie spice?

No allspice and pumpkin pie spice are not the same thing. While allspice is known for having a flavor similar to a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, which are all ingredients in pumpkin pie spice, it is its own separate spice.

It also packs a much stronger flavor punch than pumpkin spice, so you certainly don’t want to try substituting it for pumpkin spice in the same amount as the taste would be overwhelming.

Can you use pumpkin pie spice in apple pie?

Yes. Apple pie spice is usually a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and sometimes ginger and cardamom. The two have a pretty similar flavor and can be used mostly interchangeably if needed.

If substituting pumpkin pie spice for apple pie spice, use the amount called for in the recipe, and then add a little cardamom if you have it (about 1/8 teaspoon for every teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice used), as its herbal, citrusy flavor is delicious in apple pie.

Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe (3)

Recipes Using Pumpkin Pie Spice

  • Pumpkin Pancakes for Two
  • Pumpkin Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Pumpkin Donuts
  • Pumpkin Cupcakes
  • Small-batch Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
  • Small No-bake Marshmallow Pumpkin Cheesecake

Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe (4)

Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe

A quick, simple recipe for making Pumpkin Pie Spice at home.

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin

Course: Ingredient

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings (Hover or Click to Change Yield): 2 tablespoons

Calories: 9kcal

Author: Tracy

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves or allspice

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, stir together all ingredients. Use immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Notes

This will make a little over 2 tablespoons of pumpkin spice. For smaller amounts:

1 tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 lightly heaping teaspoon ground cloves or allspice

1 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 lightly heaping teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 lightly heaping teaspoon ground ginger
  • Generous pinch of ground cloves or allspice

1/2 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Generous pinch of ground nutmeg
  • Generous pinch of ground ginger
  • Small pinch of ground cloves or allspice

Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag @BakingMischief or hashtag it #BakingMischief.

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Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I use if I don't have pumpkin pie spice? ›

To get 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, use ¾ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon ginger, allspice, cloves or nutmeg, whatever you have! If you have two of the above spices, use ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon of whichever two spices you do have.

What is pumpkin pie spice made of? ›

What's In Pumpkin Spice? Pumpkin spice (a.k.a. pumpkin pie spice) is an aromatic blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Sometimes allspice is included. You can buy the spice blend at the store or use ingredients you already have on hand to make DIY pumpkin spice.

What is the crossword for pumpkin pie spice? ›

The shortest crossword solution for Spice in pumpkin pie is 4 letters long and is called MACE.

What does McCormick pumpkin pie spice have in it? ›

McCormick Culinary Pumpkin Pie Spice is a premium blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice delivering a warm brown-spice flavor. Delicious in pumpkin pie and so much more.

Can you use mixed spice instead of pumpkin spice? ›

They are both a mixture of spices and are interchangeable. So mixed spice is perfect for the cake recipe.

Is there a difference between pumpkin spice and pumpkin pie spice? ›

Pumpkin pie spice is the same as pumpkin spice, just under different labeling. These two are interchangeable and feature the same base ingredients. The ratio of the ingredients may vary slightly from brand to brand.

What is the actual flavor of pumpkin spice? ›

What Is Pumpkin Spice? Pumpkin spice, originally known as pumpkin pie spice, is typically made with a blend of ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and occasionally allspice. It doesn't actually have any pumpkin flavor in it — however, it is used to flavor a pumpkin pie, which is likely how it got its name.

What main two chemicals gives pumpkin spice its flavor? ›

The major and common ingredient in pumpkin spice lattes include: cinnamic aldehydes for cinnamon, eugenol for clove or allspice, terpenes such as sabinene for nutmeg, and zingiberene for ginger. They may also contain vanillin and cyclotene for the burnt butter or maple notes to round off the flavor.

Is allspice similar to pumpkin pie spice? ›

Allspice is a warm and cozy spice that tastes like a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, but pumpkin pie spice is a bit more robust and flavorful with all those spices plus ginger. Allspice alone, while delicious, won't give you that signature pumpkin spice flavor that you're looking for.

Is pumpkin pie spice the same as nutmeg? ›

Since it contains nutmeg and other similar spices, you can easily replace nutmeg with pumpkin pie spice in equal quantities in most recipes. Pumpkin pie spice is a spice blend made with nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, and ginger. It has a similar taste to that of nutmeg and can be swapped in at a 1:1 ratio.

What's the deal with pumpkin spice? ›

Some think it relates way back to our colony days where pumpkins were one of the only crops the settlers could sustain and so, subconsciously, pumpkin reminds us of our roots. Others believe that the seasonal appeal of the pumpkin-flavor is what creates the allure. Either way, the pumpkin spice craze is here to stay.

Who makes pumpkin spice? ›

For 86 years, McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice has been a holiday staple. And despite the unique Pumpkin Pie Spice flavored products that emerge every year, there's no doubt that this quintessential spice blend cues all things autumn.

What is a substitute for a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice? ›

Cinnamon + any of the other spices

Here are some various combinations. For 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, substitute: ¾ teaspoon cinnamon + ¼ teaspoon ginger, allspice, cloves, or nutmeg (whatever you have!) ½ teaspoon cinnamon + ¼ teaspoon each of any of the two above.

What is in store bought pumpkin spice? ›

A spice blend consisting of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves (and sometimes a bit more), pumpkin spice spent the last decade or so in a capitalist renaissance. These days, it's ubiquitous even in places you don't expect it, like cream cheese, SPAM, and noodles.

Is pumpkin pie spice healthy for you? ›

The spices in pumpkin spice have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to reduce chronic inflammation. Boosts the immune system: Some of the spices in pumpkin spice, such as ginger and cloves, have immune-boosting properties. This means that they may help to protect your body from infection.

What can I substitute pie pumpkin with? ›

Butternut, buttercup, honeynut and acorn squashes are all suitable substitutes. Each of these types of squash has a similar texture to pumpkin and some natural sweetness. To substitute these squashes for pumpkin, prepare them as you would pumpkin for fresh pumpkin puree: clean, roast, puree in a food processor.

Is ground allspice the same as pumpkin pie spice? ›

Allspice is a warm and cozy spice that tastes like a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, but pumpkin pie spice is a bit more robust and flavorful with all those spices plus ginger. Allspice alone, while delicious, won't give you that signature pumpkin spice flavor that you're looking for.

How do you add flavor without spice? ›

Use various cooking techniques like browning, smoking, grilling or braising in wine or vinegar or broth. A plain piece of meat will taste different (better) if grilled or smoked even without any spices or herbs.

What can I use if I don't have all spice? ›

Substitutes for Allspice include using a combination of cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon as well as similar spice blends such as pumpkin pie spice (with some added pepper to achieve the savory notes of allspice) or apple pie spice.

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