Author: Pumpkin pie spice is one of those pantry staples that's surprisingly easy to make yourself. If you've run out, can't find it at the grocery store, or live somewhere it's not sold, all you need are five common spices and about a minute to mix them together. Once you start making your own, you'll wonder why you ever bought the jar.
When I posted my recipe for Easy Vegan Pumpkin Pie a couple of years ago (which by the way is one of my most popular recipes), I soon found out that pumpkin pie spice isn't available in all countries. Why did I wait two whole years to post this homemade recipe? I have no idea. But it's finally here, my DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice!
Why Make Pumpkin Pie Spice From Scratch?
- It tastes fresher. Ground spices lose their aroma over time. If you're using spices you already cook and bake with, your blend is often more fragrant than the jar that's been sitting on a grocery shelf for months.
- You control the flavor. Most store-bought pumpkin pie spices are cinnamon-heavy, but some people want more ginger, less clove, or extra allspice. Homemade lets you adjust it.
- It's cheaper. If you already own the spices, you're essentially getting the blend for free instead of buying another jar that duplicates ingredients already in your cabinet.
- You never have to worry about running out. This is the biggest one. Thanksgiving morning is a terrible time to discover your jar is empty.
- You can make exactly as much as you need. One tablespoon? A whole jar? It's up to you.
What's Actually in Pumpkin Pie Spice?
Pumpkin pie spice isn't a spice at all, it's simply a blend of five warm baking spices that you probably already have in your pantry. Most store-bought versions use the same combination, but making your own lets you control the flavor and freshness.
Here's what you'll need:
- Ground cinnamon: The backbone of the blend, bringing warm, sweet spice.
- Ground ginger: Adds a gentle warmth and a little brightness.
- Ground nutmeg: Rich, nutty, and unmistakably cozy.
- Ground allspice: Adds depth with hints of cinnamon, cloves, and pepper all in one spice.
- Ground cloves: A little goes a long way, adding that unmistakable holiday baking aroma.
The best part? If you already bake during the holidays, chances are every one of these spices is already sitting in your cabinet. Mix them together once, and you'll have homemade pumpkin pie spice ready for everything from pumpkin pie and muffins to pancakes, oatmeal, cookies, and coffee. (See below for ways to use pumpkin spice.)
How To Make DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice
There isn't much to this recipe, and that's exactly the beauty of it. Add all of the spices to a small jar, put the lid on, and shake until the blend is evenly mixed. In less than a minute, you've got homemade pumpkin pie spice.
Done. Sprinkle away, my friends.
Ways to Use It
Once you have a jar of homemade pumpkin pie spice, you'll start finding excuses to use it well beyond pumpkin pie. Here are some of my favorite ideas:
- Quick breads and muffins: Stir it into chocolate chip bread, pumpkin muffins, zucchini bread, or coffee cake for extra warmth.
- Pancakes and waffles: Add a teaspoon or two to your favorite pancake or waffle batter for a cozy weekend breakfast.
- Oatmeal and overnight oats: Add it to a bowl of oatmeal, overnight oats, or baked oats along with chopped pecans or a drizzle of maple syrup.
- Coffee and hot drinks: Stir a pinch into coffee, lattes, hot chocolate, chai, or steamed milk for homemade coffee shop flavor. I love adding this flavor to Pumpkin Spice Lattes!
- Cookies and cakes: Add it to pumpkin cookies, snickerdoodles, sugar cookies, spice cakes, blondies, or cheesecake.
- Roasted sweet potatoes or squash: Toss vegetables with olive oil and a pinch of pumpkin pie spice before roasting for a sweet-savory side dish.
- Whipped cream & syrups: Fold a little into vegan whipped cream for topping pies, crisps, waffles, or pancakes. I use pumpkin pie spice for my Pumpkin Pie Spice Syrup and love stirring it into my Vegan Coconut Whipped Cream.
- Fruit: Sprinkle it over sliced apples, pears, or roasted fruit.
How to Store Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
Transfer the pumpkin pie spice to a small airtight spice jar or glass container and store it in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight. A pantry or spice cabinet is ideal. Avoid keeping it above the stove, where heat and steam can cause the spices to lose their flavor more quickly.
While the blend will keep for up to 1 year, its flavor is only as fresh as the spices you used to make it. If your cinnamon or cloves have been sitting in the back of the cabinet for years, your pumpkin pie spice won't be as aromatic. For the boldest flavor, start with fresh spices and give the jar a quick shake before each use, since some of the finer spices can settle over time.
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DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice
Servings:
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Ingredients
- 6 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoons powdered ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoons nutmeg
- 1 ½ teaspoons allspice
- ¾ teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Add all the spices to a small jar and shake until mixed well. Store with all of your other spices and use as needed.
Nutrition
⭐ Did You Make This Recipe?
I'd love if you left a rating and comment, it helps others find the recipe and makes my day! 💕Bon appetegan!
Sam.
Ekaterina says
Massive thanx!
But.. What's in "all spice"? Is it a mix, of what than..? Don't have it in Ru..
Sam Turnbull says
All spice is it's own spice. You can see it here on amazon
for example.Dana Lasswell says
Hmmm, I originally thought those are kind of odd measurements. But when I completed your recipe it all fit back perfectly in my empty pumpkin pie spice shaker. That made me smile! You are a Pro Sam!!! Thx
Sam Turnbull says
Awesome! So happy to hear that 🙂
Henriette says
What could I use instead of all spice what we haven’t got in Germany?
Henriette says
Just found it ♀️ Was expecting sind kind of a mix...
Cecelia Doucette says
My daughter brought over a jar of your spice mix last Thanksgiving and we made pies together. She forgot to take the jar with her when she left. She said I could just keep it 🙂 I've used it ever since, sprinkling some in my coffee, tossing some with granola before stuffing into apples for baking... the spice mix brings that cozy holiday feeling every time. Thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
So wonderful!
Kristi says
I have no idea how I missed this recipe before. I remembered that I added a favorite to your pumpkin spice syrup recipe to try, so I pulled that up today. Since it's September, therefore time for all things fall. I barely had any pumpkin pie spice, so Sam to the rescue with the link to this and I just happened to have a glass spice bottle from cinnamon that was almost empty. Made a triple recipe of this and just turned the stove off from my pumpkin spice syrup. 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful! Thrilled you were able to save a trip to the store! 🙂
Ana says
Hi Sam, a massive thank you from me, as I have wanted this mixture for ages and cannot find it anywhere on the shelf’s
Just found your site and am so verrrry happy I found it
Sam Turnbull says
You're welcome, Ana!! I'm so happy you found it too 🙂
Andy says
Hello! I feel dumb asking this but what's '' all spice''? Thanks and cheers from Costa Rica!
Sam Turnbull says
No problem! Allspice is a kind of spice. It's actually a berry that tastes as tho it is almost a combination of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg, hence the name "allspice". You can pick it up here on Amazon. Enjoy!
Marisa says
Can be hard
Nina says
Thank you for the Pumpkin Spice Mix recipe, cannot source here in the UK. Quite a lot of recipes feature it. Recipe very much appreciated.
Sam Turnbull says
Your most welcome, Nina! So glad you will find it handy 🙂
Bethery says
How about working on a taco seasoning next? Except you like HOT and I still have my taste buds. (Hee hee)
Sam Turnbull says
Hahahahah! I do like spicy food a lot. Did I fry off my taste buds you think? Hahaha. That's a great idea! I will add that to my list 🙂
Bev says
Thank you for working out the proportions for one of my favorite spice mixes! It's something I've always planned to do, and you just saved me the trouble! Fall is almost here with all the delicious warming flavors. Can't wait to try it in my old favorite recipes and new ones that you have created!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay! So happy you are looking forward to the recipe, Bev. Get ready for a new one to come this weekend 😉
Marisa says
Wow, even for the coffee! Thanks for helping my sweet tooth. In some countries veganism
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome!