A Little Background to this Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe

Have you run out of pumpkin pie spice and there isn’t any in the store? Or is the generic pumpkin spice not as good as you were hoping? Or perhaps you just want to make it yourself to save a little money. We will not only show you how to make pumpkin spice with this easy recipe, but also how to create your own blend.

We love McCormick pumpkin pie spice blend and highly recommend it when it is available in the stores. After all, they are oftencredited to be the original creators of pumpkin spice. Unfortunately, with today’s shortages and others hoarding, it’s getting harder to find when you shop for your groceries.

Step-By-Step Instructions

You will be amazed how simple it is to make your own pumpkin spice blend. Let’s look at how it is made.

Step 1: Gather your Ingredients

The first step to any good recipe is to make sure you have all the ingredients on hand. And for spices, you will want to check the date on the container. When it comes to most spices, they lose potency and flavor with age. Try to use spices within 6 months for best results.

Step 2: Measure your Spices

Measure out each of the spices. You can place them into a small bowl or better yet, a container with a lid to save dishes. This is the time to decide if you want to add cloves or not. Some people really love the taste of cloves, others are not a fan. Many of the pumpkin pie spice blends do not include cloves for this reason.

Step 3: Mix your Spices

We are going to skip the bowl and pour all the spices into a clean container using a scrap piece of parchment as a funnel. We are using a container that had sanding sugar in it. Anytime we empty a container that held sprinkles, sugar or mild spices, we wash it well and hold onto it. They are perfect for these kinds of projects and you get to recycle.

Screw on the lid and shake well for about 30 seconds. If you were mixing this in a bowl, simply stir the spices together until well combined. Store in an air tight container. That’s all there is to making pumpkin spice!

Substitutions and Tips

Here are some common substitutions and tips for this recipe.

• For best results, use spices that are new and unopened. Spices that have been sitting in your pantry for years collecting dust won’t be as flavorful.
• You can omit the nutmeg and cloves entirely and still have a nice pumpkin pie spice blend.
• If you aren’t a fan of one of the spices, leave it out! This is for you, after all.
• The key spices to use for pumpkin pie spice is cinnamon, ginger and allspice. If you can’t afford them all, these are the three we strongly recommend for a good flavor.
• Generic is great. Organic is great. Get what you can afford.

Storage

To store, place in an airtight container and store for up to 1 year in a cool dark place such as a pantry or cabinet. If your spices are older, the pumpkin spice is best used within 2-3 months of blending. Many spices will lose flavor as they age.

Pumpkin Spice Recipe

Learn how to make pumpkin pie spice with ease. This pumpkin pie spice recipe will give you two versions to try: the classic and the modern. With the addition or subtraction of one small but powerful spice, you'll be able to amplify this fall favorite.

Print Recipe

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Total Time10 minutes minutes

Servings33

Calories 0.1

Ingredients

• 4 tsp (8g) ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp (4g) ground ginger
• 1 tsp (2g) ground nutmeg
• ¾ tsp (1.5g) ground allspice
• ½ tsp (1g) ground cloves*

Instructions

• In a small bowl, stir together the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves until well blended. Carefully transfer into an airtight container. Store in a cool dark place up to 1 year.

Notes

*Cloves are optional and are not included in the original pumpkin pie spice blend.  If you do not like the taste of cloves, omit the spice entirely.

The most important spices to use are cinnamon, ginger and allspice.  If you do not have nutmeg or cloves, either or both can be left out.

As the blend ages, it will loose its flavor and potency.  Although it will store up to 1 year with freshly opened spices, if your spices are already opened, it is best used within 2-3 months of blending.

This spice blend has no significant nutritional value.

Nutrition Facts

Pumpkin Spice Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

0.1

% Daily Value*

Carbohydrates

 

0.1

g

0

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

* Calories provided as a courtesy and not guaranteed.