Homemade pumpkin pie spice is ridiculously easy to make and adds the perfect fall flavor to all your baked goods! The best part is that unlike store-bought versions, you can adjust the spices to your liking.
As a bonus, I’m including four different free printable labels that you can use for your homemade pumpkin pie spice blend. It’s perfect for gift giving!
It’s that time of year again — pumpkin spice season! I know some people would rather just skip it, but I’m obsessed with all things pumpkin! Nothing beats the smell of fall spices, and of course I’m a fan of eating the results. 😋
I like making my own spice blends — have you tried my homemade taco seasoning? I also make my own cinnamon sugar and ranch dressing mix. I don’t know why it took me so long to make my own pumpkin pie spice.
For years, I just substituted cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger in any recipe that called for pumpkin spice. It’s silly that I waited so long. Don’t make my mistake, whip up a batch immediately!
The best thing about making it yourself is that you can adjust the seasonings to your liking. You may like a different combination than the one I’ve listed, and that’s just fine. Use my recipe as a base and customize it for your family!
Whether you’re making pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, pies, cookies, or your favorite pumpkin spice latte, this homemade blend is a must-have for your spice cabinet. Once you see how easy it is to make pumpkin pie spice at home, you’ll never need to buy it again.
Ingredients Needed for Pumpkin Pie Spice:
- Ground Cinnamon – An essential spice that adds that warm spicy fall flavor we all love.
- Ground Ginger – Ginger adds a nice zippy flavor that really makes your baked goods stand out.
- Ground Nutmeg – Like its name suggests, nutmeg adds an earthy nutty flavor.
- Ground Cloves – Cloves add a bold, rich spicy flavor.
Optional ingredients:
- Allspice – Many recipes call for allspice, but it has the flavor of a blend of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. To save space in my spice cabinet, I don’t buy it because I have the other three spices. You can of course add it.
- Mace – Feel free to add a bit of mace if you want a spicy, citrus undertone.
- Cardamom – You can add a bit of cardamom for a peppery, slightly minty undertone.
- Black Pepper – Just a pinch of black pepper can boost the spicy flavor of your spice blend. Just don’t overdo it; a little bit goes a long way!
How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
- SIFT – Remove any lumps from the spices, particularly the ginger, as it tends to clump. I like to use a small mesh strainer.
- COMBINE – Measure all the spices into a small bowl. Use a small whisk to stir them together until thoroughly blended.
- TRANSFER – Use a spoon or funnel to transfer the homemade pumpkin pie spice mixture into a little jar. I love using 4-ounce mason jars with plastic lids.
- STORE – If you have used fresh spices, your mix will last at least two years if stored in a cool, dry space.
- ENJOY – Use this spice mix in all your favorite fall recipes; it’s the perfect blend of warm spices!
In addition to all your baked goods, you can use pumpkin pie spice in cream cheese frosting, add it to overnight oats or yogurt, or even stir it into a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. There are so many different ways to use it!
Tips for the Best Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Use fresh spices. Fresh ground spices provide the best aroma and flavor.
- Sift out the lumps. Ginger has a tendency to clump up, so I like to press it through a mesh wire sieve. You should do this with any of your spices that have lumps.
- Mix thoroughly. Make sure the spices are evenly distributed so every spoonful tastes the same.
- Make a double batch. If you do a lot of holiday baking, prepare extra to last through the year.
- Adjust to your liking. Add a little extra cinnamon for a sweeter flavor or more ginger or cloves for a spicier blend. Experiment and come up with your own blend of spices.
- Label your jar. Use one of my free printable pumpkin spice labels so you’ll always know what homemade spice blend you’re grabbing off the shelf!
Free Printable Pumpkin Pie Spice Labels:
I whipped up four different pumpkin pie spice labels that you can use to attach to your jars. You can download them for free by clicking the button below.
Print them on cardstock, then cut them out and attach them to the lid of the jar. Or you can punch a hole in them and tie them around the jar. Not only do they make fantastic gifts, they will also look extra cute sitting in your spice cabinet!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is pumpkin pie spice made of?
Pumpkin pie spice is typically made with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Some blends use slightly different proportions or include additional spices, such as cardamom.
Is pumpkin pie spice the same as allspice?
No. Allspice is a single spice made from the ground dried berries of the Pimenta Dioica (allspice tree). Pumpkin pie spice is a blend of several spices, including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
Can I use homemade pumpkin pie spice instead of store-bought?
Yes! Homemade pumpkin pie spice can be used as a one-to-one substitute for store-bought pumpkin pie spice in all your recipes.
Does pumpkin pie spice contain pumpkin?
No. Pumpkin pie spice is a mixture of ground spices and does not contain pumpkin. It gets its name because it is commonly used to flavor pumpkin pie and other pumpkin recipes.
How long does homemade pumpkin pie spice last?
Your blend will generally keep for at least a couple of years if stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Its flavor will gradually fade as the spices age, but it won’t spoil or “go bad”.
Favorite recipes using pumpkin pie spice:
- Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles
- Pumpkin Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Pumpkin Bread with Streusel Topping
- Pumpkin Pie with Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies (with pudding mix)
- Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Healthy Pumpkin Muffins
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons ground cloves
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Whisk well until thoroughly blended together. (If the ginger or other spices have clumps, press them through a small wire sieve.)
- Spoon or pour the spice mix into a small mason jar (or other small jar). Add the lid (and one of my printable labels).
- Use as a 1:1 substitution for store-bought pumpkin pie spice.
Notes
- You can store your homemade pumpkin spice blend in an airtight container for at least a year, but probably two or more.
Use this easy recipe for homemade pumpkin pie spice in place of store-bought pumpkin pie spice in your favorite recipes!
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