How to make pumpkin spice blend for your pumpkin spice latte recipe, and any recipes that call for a pumpkin pie spice recipe! If you've wondered what is in pumpkin spice, or how to make pumpkin spice mix, this recipe is for you!
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And if you like this cake, you'll love my Strawberry Crunch Cheesecake, my Mini Red Velvet Cake, and my Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake!
Best Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe
Nothing says fall like pumpkin spice. And you can celebrate without waiting at coffee shops or buying pricey little jars at the grocery store. You can make your own pumpkin spice blend recipe in just minutes with spices you probably already have in your pantry! The best part? It tastes fresher, stronger, and you can tweak it to your taste.
You can add more or less of each spice depending on your preference, and you'll always have the most flavorful fall goodies because the flavor in this pumpkin spice mix is so much better than store-bought! Don't get me wrong -- McCormick pumpkin pie spice is great, but you can do even better at home.
Jump to:
- Best Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe
- What is pumpkin spice blend?
- Is pumpkin spice just mixed spice?
- How to Use Pumpkin Spice Blend
- What is pumpkin spice seasoning made of? (Pumpkin Spice Ingredients)
- Equipment
- How to Make Pumpkin Spice Blend
- Pumpkin Pie Spice vs. Apple Pie Spice
- Pumpkin Spice Syrup
- Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Tip
- Related
- Recipes Using Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
What is pumpkin spice blend?
You've heard of pumpkin spice season, with its pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin spice syrup, and endless pumpkin spice options at the store, but what is the actual flavor of pumpkin spice?
Well, pumpkin spice is also known as pumpkin pie spice, and it's the perfect blend of spices commonly used in pumpkin pie. So there isn't actually any pumpkin in it-- it's just the spices that are used to flavor pumpkin.
Is pumpkin spice just mixed spice?
It depends. Home bakers refer to pumpkin pie spice as just a mix of spices, because they use it along with pumpkin and other ingredients to create that amazing fall flavor you find in a classic pumpkin pie.
But commercially-available pumpkin treats often use "pumpkin spice" to mean a combination of a pumpkin spice flavor with actual pumpkin flavor, so that does cause confusion. But for the record, this pumpkin pie spice recipe is just the spices!
How to Use Pumpkin Spice Blend
This spice mix isn’t just for pumpkin pie. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use it:
- Use in classic pumpkin dessert recipes like pumpkin bread, pumpkin blondies, pumpkin muffins, or pumpkin donuts. If you've got a recipe that calls for pumpkin pie spice, you can use this as a pumpkin pie spice substitute!
- Make my pumpkin spice sauce to stir into your morning coffee or latte for a DIY pumpkin spice latte. Or try my pumpkin cold foam recipe!
- Add to pancake or waffle batter for a cozy breakfast.
- Mix into cream cheese frosting for fall cakes.
- Sprinkle over roasted sweet potatoes or butternut squash.
- It makes a great gift! Pack a small batches in a little jar and share with loved ones!
What is pumpkin spice seasoning made of? (Pumpkin Spice Ingredients)
The pumpkin spice blend ratio may vary, but most pumpkin spice seasoning blends have the same few ingredients. You can find the full list of ingredient measurements in the recipe card below, but here's a quick look at what you'll need for this DIY pumpkin spice recipe:
- cinnamon - the backbone of pumpkin spice. Ground cinnamon adds that sweet warmth and cozy aroma that makes fall baking irresistible.
- ginger - using ground ginger balances out the sweetness with a little zing, giving our DIY pumpkin spice seasoning its signature kick.
- nutmeg - brings a nutty, slightly sweet flavor that rounds everything out. I recommend freshly grated nutmeg over store-bought ground nutmeg -- it's easy! You'll just need whole nutmeg and a microplane!
- cloves - ground cloves add a bold, spicy note that deepens the flavor of the blend.
- allspice - despite its name, allspice is a single spice with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves all in one. It ties the blend together for a rich, full flavor.
All pantry staples that are easy to find, and when they're combined they create the perfect homemade pumpkin pie spice blend for fall recipes.
Equipment
You'll only need a small whisk to make pumpkin pie spice substitute, along with a small bowl! I highly recommend using freshly grated nutmeg, so a Microplane zester is also a useful tool for that.
Finally, you'll need somewhere to store your pumpkin spice mix. I love these swing-top canisters because they come with a funnel and labels for all your individual spices, and look so cute in your spice cabinet!
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Blend
The recipe card below will give you detailed step-by-step instructions and a recipe video! But here are the basic steps you'll follow to make pumpkin spice powder:
Add cinnamon and ginger to a small bowl.
Use a microplane zester to grate ginger, then measure and add to the rest of the spices.
Add cloves and allspice, then whisk mixture until smooth.
Transfer mixture into an airtight container and store in a cool, dark, dry place.
Hint: It's easier to get your homemade spice blend into your spice jar with a little funnel!
Pumpkin Pie Spice vs. Apple Pie Spice
Pumpkin pie spice is a bold combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice, made to balance the earthy flavor of pumpkin. Apple pie spice is a blend of cinnamon and nutmeg, sometimes with cardamom, that highlights the sweetness of apples.
You can definitely swap in one blend of spices if the recipe calls for the other, and I do all the time! I love to use this pumpkin spice mix in my Apple Mug Cake and my Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls!
Pumpkin Spice Syrup
You can use this pumpkin spice recipe to make a DIY pumpkin spice syrup for a pumpkin spice latte recipe or iced coffee! Check out my Starbucks Pumpkin Sauce copycat recipe for the easy instructions!
Storage
Your DIY pumpkin spice blend will stay fresh for about 6 months, but the sooner you use it, the stronger the flavor will be, so make good use of it throughout the holiday season. Keep it in a sealed jar at room temperature in your pantry, away from sunlight or heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nope! It’s all spices. The blend is made to season pumpkin, not made from pumpkin itself.
Absolutely. If you bake a lot of fall desserts, make a big batch and keep it on hand—it’s a great way to save time later.
Sure! If you don’t have allspice, just leave it out or add a little more cinnamon and cloves.
Starbucks doesn’t use a straight pumpkin spice blend like you would at home. Their Pumpkin Spice Latte is made with a pumpkin spice syrup that has pumpkin puree, sugar, and condensed milk, plus a pumpkin spice topping made from cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
If you want that same cozy flavor at home, a my Starbucks Pumpkin Sauce is made with this pumpkin spice blend and it's the perfect substitute.
You can make my pumpkin spice syrup to make your own pumpkin spice latte, or check out my pumpkin cold foam recipe for how to make a pumpkin cream cold brew at home!
Top Tip
Try to use your easy pumpkin spice blend within six months for the best freshness -- it's still okay to consume after then, but the flavor won't be as great!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this one? Try these:
Recipes Using Pumpkin Pie Spice
These are my favorite ways to use this pumpkin spice recipe:
10 cozy recipes. No stress. All the fall flavor.
Let’s make this your easiest, coziest baking season yet. Inside this ebook, you’ll get:
- 10 simple, foolproof fall dessert recipes
- Cozy flavors like pumpkin, chai, apple, and brown butter
- Step-by-step instructions made for beginners and busy bakers
- Bonus: fall flavor pairing guide and printable fall grocery list
If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!
📖 Recipe
Equipment you may need
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons (24 g) ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons (4 g) ground ginger
- 1½ teaspoon (3 g) ground nutmeg - preferably freshly grated with a Microplane
- 1½ teaspoons (3 g) ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) ground allspice
Instructions
- Combine cinnamon and ginger in a small bowl.3 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- Grate nutmeg and measure out into the cinnamon and ginger (or measure out ground nutmeg).1½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Add cloves and allspice and whisk well.1½ teaspoons ground cloves, 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- Transfer mixture to an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Chenée Lewis says
This pumpkin pie spice blend will definitely take your fall baking up a notch!!