By Rebecca St.Clair

I almost can’t wait until the first day of fall to open up this homemade pumpkin pie spice. The warm spices instantly turns my kitchen cozy and comforting. This blend is perfect for pumpkin pie, fresh pumpkin bread, a dash in your coffee on cozy fall mornings, and all your favourite warm bakes in the oven.

This Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe is an easy way to make your own pumpkin spice blend from scratch using simple pantry spices. Although it’s not always included, I always add in a dash of cardamom, which gives this blend a subtle floral and citrusy warmth that pairs beautifully with pumpkin.

Once you make your own pumpkin pie spice, you’ll find so many ways to use it, other than your holiday pumpkin pie. Stir it into pumpkin muffins, apple crisp, pancakes, oatmeal, cookies, coffee, homemade whipped cream, and all your favourite fall baking recipes.

What Is Pumpkin Pie Spice?

Pumpkin pie spice is a fall-inspired spice blend used to season pumpkin pie and other autumn recipes.

It’s a delicious combination of warm, aromatic spices that complement the naturally sweet and earthy flavour of pumpkin.

The exact amounts and combination can vary. This is my favourite combination and uses cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and cardamom.

Cardamom isn’t included in every traditional pumpkin pie spice blend, but I love the subtle citrus-floral flavour that bring a brightness to the familiar pumpkin spice flavour.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons ground cinnamon

Cinnamon is the warm, sweet and familiar main flavour of this spice blend. It has a woody, slightly spicy flavour with a natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with pumpkin, apples, chocolate, warm drinks, and cozy baking.

2 teaspoons ground ginger

Ground ginger adds a gentle heat and a slightly peppery, zesty flavour. It helps balance the sweetness of pumpkin desserts and gives the spice blend a little extra brightness.

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Nutmeg has a warm, earthy and slightly sweet flavour with a delicate nuttiness. It’s one of those spices that instantly makes a recipe taste cozy and festive.

1 teaspoon ground allspice

Despite its name, allspice isn’t a mixture of several spices. It’s a single spice made from the dried berries of the allspice tree.

Its flavour is warm and aromatic, that pairs perfectly with cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.

½ teaspoon ground cloves

Cloves are intensely aromatic, warm and slightly sweet with a distinctive spicy flavour. Because cloves are quite strong, only a small amount is needed. This aroma instantly reminds me of Christmas.

½ teaspoon ground cardamom

Cardamom has a warm, fragrant flavour with subtle citrus, floral and slightly peppery notes.

A small amount adds beautiful depth and makes this homemade pumpkin pie spice taste just a little more special.

How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

This couldn’t be easier!

Step 1: Measure the spices

Measure the ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves and cardamom into a small container.

Step 2: Mix

Stir the spices together or gently shake in a sealed container.

Step 3: Store

Label the jar and store it somewhere cool, dry and dark, away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture.

How Much Pumpkin Pie Spice Should I Use?

As a starting point, use approximately 1½ to 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice for one standard 9-inch pumpkin pie. The amount can vary depending on the recipe and your personal taste.

For baked goods like pumpkin bread, muffins and cookies, use the amount called for in the recipe and adjust the next time you make it if you’d like a stronger spice flavour. Replace the spice called for in a recipe like 1 tsp of cinnamon with 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.

Remember, fresher spices or freshly ground spices will have a stronger more aromatic flavour. Keep that in mind when adding the spice to your baked goods.

How to Use Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

Don’t save this spice blend just for pumpkin pie!

Use your homemade pumpkin spice in:

• Pumpkin pie
• Pumpkin muffins
• Pumpkin biscuits
• Pumpkin doughnuts
• Pumpkin cookies
• Pumpkin pie bars
• Apple pie
• Apple crisp
• Pancakes
• Waffles
• French toast
• Oatmeal
• Homemade granola
• Coffee
• Hot chocolate
• Chai
• Whipped cream
• Homemade ice cream
• It can also be used in savoury recipes where warm spices complement the ingredients, such as roasted winter squash or creamy pumpkin soup.

What Does Pumpkin Pie Spice Taste Like?

This particular blend is warm, sweet, aromatic and gently spicy.

The cinnamon gives it its familiar warmth, while ginger adds a little heat. Nutmeg and allspice provide depth, cloves add an intense aromatic quality, and cardamom brings a subtle floral and citrusy finish.

The result is a balanced homemade pumpkin spice blend that’s cozy without being overwhelmingly strong.

Can I Adjust the Spices

Absolutely!

Any of the spices can be adjusted or omitted depending on your taste. One of the best things about making pumpkin pie spice from scratch is that you can make it exactly the way you like it.

If you love cinnamon, add a little more.

Prefer a spicier blend? Increase the ginger slightly.

Love cloves? You can add a small amount more, although I recommend being cautious because cloves can quickly overpower the other spices.

Tips for the Best Homemade Pumpkin Spice

Use fresh spices

Ground spices lose their flavour and aroma over time. For the best homemade pumpkin spice, use spices that are fresh.

Measure carefully

Strong spices such as cloves and cardamom can easily overpower a blend. A little goes a long way.

Mix thoroughly

Make sure all the spices are evenly blended before using.

Store it properly

Keep the spice blend in an airtight container in a cool, dry pantry. Avoid storing it beside your oven or another source of heat.

How Long Does Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Last?

Ground spices gradually lose their aroma and flavour.

For the best flavour, use your homemade pumpkin pie spice while the individual spices are still fragrant.

If you open the jar and the aroma is very weak, it’s probably time to make a fresh batch.

Ground spices don’t suddenly become unsafe when they get old. However, discard the spice blend if it develops signs of moisture, mould, insects or an unusual odour.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice as a Gift

A little jar of homemade spice makes a simple and thoughtful homemade Christmas or Thanksgiving gift. Even if that person isn’t a baker, this spice is great dusted on top of your morning coffee.

Pour the spice blend into a small glass jar and add a handwritten label. An easy little homemade gift for a friend, neighbour, teacher or fellow baker.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pumpkin pie spice the same as pumpkin spice?

Yes. Pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin spice is the same warm blend of spices used in pumpkin pie and other fall recipes.

Does pumpkin pie spice contain pumpkin?

No. Pumpkin pie spice is simply a blend of ground spices. It doesn’t contain pumpkin.

What is the main spice in pumpkin pie spice?

Cinnamon is the dominant spice in a pumpkin pie spice blend.

Why add cardamom to pumpkin pie spice?

Cardamom adds subtle floral, citrusy and warm notes. It gives this homemade spice blend a little more complexity while still allowing the traditional cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg flavours to shine.

Can I use whole spices?

Yes! If you grind your own spices, make sure they’re ground finely and mixed thoroughly before using.