Pumpkin Pie Spice (DIY Recipe + Substitutes)

What Makes This Recipe Work

Ground spices blend into a uniform mix in seconds, so there is nothing to cook. Mixing your own lets you dial the cloves up or down and guarantees the blend is fresh, which is what makes the pumpkin pie spice bread and muffins you bake taste lively rather than flat.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Pie Spice (DIY Recipe + Substitutes)

• 3 tbsp (22 g) ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp (5 g) ground ginger
• 2 tsp (5 g) ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 tsp (4 g) ground allspice
• 1 tsp (2 g) ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground cardamom (optional)
• 1/4 tsp ground mace (optional)
• 1/4 tsp finely ground black pepper (optional, for a spicier blend)

How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice (DIY Recipe + Substitutes)

1. Measure all the spices into a small bowl.
2. Whisk until the mixture is one even color with no streaks of any single spice, about 30 seconds.
3. For a single-use amount, remember that 1 tablespoon of this blend equals about 2 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp allspice, and 1/4 tsp cloves.
4. Transfer the blend to a clean, dry airtight jar using a small funnel or a folded paper slip.
5. Seal the jar and label it with the date so you know how fresh the batch is.
6. Store in a cool, dark cabinet up to 6 months, and stir or shake the jar before each use.

Tips for the Best Pumpkin Pie Spice (DIY Recipe + Substitutes)

• Smell each spice before you blend; if it smells dusty rather than fragrant, replace it for the best flavor.
• Make a double batch to fill a gift jar, and tie a small recipe tag around the lid.
• Keep the jar away from the stove, since heat and steam shorten a spice blend's shelf life.

Variations and Substitutions

• To substitute for a store-bought blend, use the per-tablespoon ratio above, or simply combine cinnamon with a pinch of ginger and nutmeg in a pinch.
• Stir the blend into Pumpkin Bread or Pumpkin Muffins, or use it to make pumpkin pie spice muffins and pumpkin pie spice bread.
• Use it in the base Pumpkin Pie, the Libby's Pumpkin Pie, or the condensed milk version for a consistent spice profile.
• For a bolder jar, add the optional cardamom, mace, and black pepper, which push the blend toward an old-fashioned, spicier flavor.

How to Store and Reheat

• Store the blend airtight in a cool, dark place up to 6 months.
• If the color fades or the aroma weakens, replace the batch rather than using more of a tired blend.

Pumpkin Pie Spice (DIY Recipe + Substitutes) FAQ