Homemade pumpkin pie spice is one of those pantry staples I like having ready as soon as fall baking starts. It adds that warm, cozy flavor to everything from pumpkin pie and muffins to lattes, pancakes, and other seasonal desserts.
Making your own also means you can control the balance of the spices. I like this blend with plenty of cinnamon, followed by ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves for a warm flavor that isn’t too heavy on any one spice.
I use it throughout pumpkin season in recipes like my keto pumpkin pie, keto pumpkin spice latte, and creamy keto pumpkin soup.
- 1 What Is Pumpkin Pie Spice?
- 2 Why You’ll Love Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 3 Pumpkin Pie Spice Ingredients
- 4 How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 5 How to Use Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 6 How to Store Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
- 7 Pumpkin Pie Spice vs. Allspice
- 8 What Can I Use Instead of Pumpkin Pie Spice?
- 9 Is Pumpkin Pie Spice Keto-Friendly?
- 10 More Pumpkin Spice Recipes
- 11 Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe
What Is Pumpkin Pie Spice?
Pumpkin pie spice is a blend of warm ground spices commonly used in fall baking and pumpkin recipes.
The exact combination can vary, but this homemade version uses cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
Despite the name, there is no pumpkin in pumpkin pie spice. It’s simply the spice blend traditionally used to season pumpkin desserts.
Why You’ll Love Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
- It’s easy to mix together at home.
- It uses simple ground spices you can keep in your pantry.
- It’s great for pumpkin pie, muffins, cookies, bread, drinks, and more.
- It’s made entirely with ground spices.
- You can easily adjust the balance of the spices to suit your taste.
- Making your own blend means you can prepare exactly as much as you need.
Pumpkin Pie Spice Ingredients
This homemade pumpkin spice blend uses five ground spices:
- Ground Cinnamon – Makes up most of the blend and gives it its warm, slightly sweet flavor.
- Ground Ginger – Adds a little warmth and a slightly peppery note.
- Ground Nutmeg – Adds a warm, nutty flavor that pairs especially well with cinnamon.
- Ground Allspice – Adds extra depth and warmth to the spice blend.
- Ground Cloves – A little goes a long way and gives the mixture a deeper, more aromatic flavor.
For the exact quantities, see the recipe card below.
How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice
Making homemade pumpkin pie spice couldn’t be much simpler.
- Measure all of the ground spices into a small mixing bowl.
- Whisk until evenly combined and there are no visible pockets of individual spices.
- Transfer the spice mixture to a small airtight jar or container.
- Keep it in a cool, dark, dry place until you’re ready to use it.
That’s it. There’s no need to use a blender or food processor because the spices are already finely ground.
How to Use Pumpkin Pie Spice
You can use homemade pumpkin pie spice anywhere you want to add warm fall flavor.
Try it in:
- Pumpkin pie
- Pumpkin muffins
- Pumpkin bread
- Cookies
- Pancakes and waffles
- Cheesecake
- Coffee and lattes
- Oatmeal or chia pudding
- Whipped cream
- Other fall desserts
It works especially well in my keto pumpkin pie, keto pumpkin spice latte, and keto pumpkin cheesecake muffins.
How to Store Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
Transfer the spice blend to an airtight jar or container and keep it in a cool, dark, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight.
For the best flavor, make sure the container is tightly sealed after each use.
It’s also a good idea to label the jar with the date you made it, especially if you prepare several homemade seasoning blends.
Pumpkin Pie Spice vs. Allspice
Pumpkin pie spice and allspice are not the same thing.
Allspice is a single ground spice.
Pumpkin pie spice is a blend of several spices. In this recipe, allspice is combined with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
Because their flavor profiles are different, they aren’t generally interchangeable in equal amounts.
Pumpkin Pie Spice vs. Apple Pie Spice
Pumpkin pie spice and apple pie spice have similar warm, cinnamon-forward flavors, but the exact blends can vary.
Pumpkin pie spice commonly includes cinnamon along with spices such as ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. Apple pie spice is also usually cinnamon-based but may use a slightly different balance of spices.
They can taste similar, but they aren’t necessarily identical.
What Can I Use Instead of Pumpkin Pie Spice?
If a recipe calls for pumpkin pie spice and you don’t have a premade blend, you can make a quick homemade version using the same spices in this recipe.
For the most balanced flavor, combine cinnamon with smaller amounts of ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves rather than replacing pumpkin spice with just one individual spice.
Is Pumpkin Pie Spice Keto-Friendly?
Plain pumpkin pie spice is simply a mixture of ground spices and can easily be used in keto and low-carb recipes.
If you’re buying a premade pumpkin spice blend, check the ingredient label because formulas can vary between brands.
Making it at home also lets you know exactly what goes into your blend.
More Pumpkin Spice Recipes
Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe
Description
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 ½ tsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp ground cloves
Instructions
- Place all of the spices in a small mixing bowl and whisk until evenly combined.
- Transfer the pumpkin pie spice to a small airtight jar or container.
- Store in a cool, dark, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight.
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.