Nothing says fall quite like the cozy aroma of pumpkin pie spice. This simple homemade blend brings together all the warm, fragrant spices we love in autumn baking. It’s perfect for stirring into your favorite pumpkin recipes, sprinkling into coffee, or keeping on hand for quick seasonal treats. Making your own just takes a few minutes and tastes so much fresher than store bought.
I love summer, but I have to admit, I’m a big fan of fall too. September always feels like a fresh start, almost like a mini new year. The air turns crisp while the sun still lingers, the kids head back to school, and suddenly there’s a little more time to catch up on the things we let slide over the summer. And of course, it’s the season for pumpkin pie spice.
This cozy blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and a few other warming spices is the flavor of autumn itself. For me, it’s a symbol of change – when we shift from sunny outdoor fun to cooler indoor gatherings. It’s also when I start thinking about trading my Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew for a Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Other great recipes you might enjoy as the weather changes are my Beef and Barley Soup, Marry Me Chicken Pasta, and Air Fryer Meatloaf.
Why I Like to Make My Own Pumpkin Spice (and why you might too)
- Customizable Flavor – You can adjust the balance of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and allspice to suit your own taste. I recommend starting with the recipe I’ve written and adjust from there if you like.
- Fresher Taste – Homemade blends often taste brighter and more aromatic than store-bought jars.
- Convenience – You always have a jar ready to go for baking, lattes, or sprinkling over oatmeal and yogurt.
- Versatility – Use it beyond pumpkin pie – try it in muffins, pancakes, coffee, roasted nuts, to name a few.
- Gift-worthy – A homemade spice blend in a cute jar makes a thoughtful seasonal gift.
- Consistency – You can recreate the same flavor every time, without worrying about brand variations.
- Seasonal Tradition – Mixing up a fresh batch at the start of fall can feel like a cozy ritual that kicks off the season.
Equipment Needed
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This recipe will require the use of measuring spoons to measure out the spices a bowl to mix it all together in and then a vessel to store the pumpkin pie spice in. I recommend a spice jar, or other airtight container.
Ingredients
Cinnamon – is one of the world’s oldest and most beloved spices, harvested from the inner bark of trees in the Cinnamomum family. It is the backbone of pumpkin pie spice and instantly brings that cozy fall flavor we all love.
Ginger – comes from the dried root of the ginger plant and adds a gentle heat with a slightly sweet, zesty flavor. It balances the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg, giving pumpkin pie spice that little kick of brightness and depth.
Nutmeg – made by grinding the seed of an evergreen tree native to the Spice Islands. With its rich, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor, it adds depth and a hint of indulgence to pumpkin pie spice rounding out the blend with cozy holiday warmth.
Cloves – are the dried flower buds of a tropical evergreen tree and are known for their bold, aromatic flavor. Just a pinch adds a deep, slightly sweet spiciness that gives pumpkin pie spice its signature richness and warmth.
Allspice – comes from the dried berries of the Pimenta dioica tree and gets its name because its flavor tastes like a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves all in one. It adds a warm, slightly peppery notes that ties the whole pumpkin pie spice mix together.
How To Make Pumpkin Pie Spice
Now the fun part and the easy part…
In a small bowl add in all the spices.
Mix together with a spoon.
Transfer into a spice jar or other air tight container, and you are done!
Notes
- All spices used are in their dried and ground up form. You certainly could grind your own for an even fresher flavor.
- Sometimes I don’t add allspice. Allspice is very similar to a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, but is a spice all unto itself. If you don’t have any in your cupboard you can give it a miss without having any problems.
FAQs
How long does pumpkin pie spice keep? This spice mixture will stay as fresh as the spices you have used to make it. It’s always best to use the freshest spices you have, and if stored in a good quality jar you can expect the spice to be great for a couple of years.
If allspice tastes like a combo of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, can’t I just use that in my recipes? Although allspice tastes like a combo of the same spices it doesn’t have the same taste in terms of proportions, depth and robustness of this pumpkin pie spice which also has ginger.
Ways to Use Pumpkin Pie Spice
Oh my goodness, the ways to use pumpkin pie spice are almost endless. It seems once fall arrives, it seems like pumpkin spice is fair game on just about anything! Here are a few tasty ideas:
- Whip it into cream for pumpkin pie spiced whipped cream. Dollop it on fall pies, ice cream sundaes, pancakes, French Toast, coffee or hot chocolate.
- Stir a teaspoon into your batter for pumpkin pie spice pancakes or waffles.
- Sprinkle a little over a chai latte for a cozy pumpkin chai spice latte, or over an iced latte for a refreshing pumpkin spice twist.
- Use it to make Pumpkin spiced Ice Cream, or Pumpkin Pie Spice Cookies.
So many delicious ways to enjoy pumpkin pie spice!
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Cinnamon
- 2 ½ teaspoons Ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoons Nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon Cloves
- ¼ teaspoon Allspice optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl add in all the spices.
- Mix together with a spoon.
- Transfer into a spice jar or other air tight container, and you are done!
Notes
- All spices listed are to be in their dry ground up form.
- Sometimes I don’t add allspice. Allspice is very similar to a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, but is a spice all unto itself. If you don’t have any in your cupboard you can give it a miss without having any problems.
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If You Liked This Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe…
If you liked this recipe, please consider rating the recipe and leaving a comment below – I love to hear how people get on with my recipes and I truly make an effort to respond to everyone who takes the time to comment. Other recipes you might enjoy include:
Love a good spice blend! Thank you!
You are most welcome!
This pumpkin pie spice blend looks amazing and so easy to make. I’m excited to save this and use it in all my autumn baking!
Great idea!
Love being able to make this at home! Great recipe!
Me too! It’s so easy and you can control the flavor, unlike the store-bought which changes flavor from brand to brand.
Glad I found your recipe just before the season! Definately going to make a big batch to use it for this fall season!
Great idea! There’s so many things you can add it to. Let me know what you make.
Such a good one for the whole season.
If you like baking, you will find all sorts of uses for pumpkin pie spice this time of year.
So great for so many recipes! What a perfect staple for this season!
I agree Cara, pumpkin pie spice is a must have in the kitchen this time of year! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
I love your recipe for pumpkin pie spice! I just used it with some pumpkin cookies, and it is delicious, thanks for the great recipe!
I find so many uses for pumpkin spice once I have it in my pantry. I’m glad you are enjoying it.