Making your own pumpkin pie spice blend is quick, easy, and so much more cost-effective than buying pre-made versions.
You just need 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time!
This homemade blend is perfect for your favourite fall recipes, like my pumpkin cheesecake bars, but you can use it in other ways, too.
Once you make it, you'll wonder why you ever bought the store-bought stuff.
Recipe Highlights
- Servings: Makes about ⅓ cup
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Effort Required: Very easy! Just measure and whisk.
- Special Equipment: Jar with a tight-fitting lid (for storing)
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What is Pumpkin Spice?
You might be surprised to learn that no pumpkin is in any pumpkin spice recipe!
We're actually referring to pumpkin pie spice, the warm spice blend that adds that distinct flavour to the iconic fall dessert.
Pumpkin spice blends usually include cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove, and sometimes allspice.
This homemade version is my favourite ratio of those spices. I use it in all my fall pumpkin desserts, including pumpkin pie crepes, pumpkin pie with a graham cracker crust, pumpkin cookie bars, and my pumpkin pecan waffles.
Ingredients
Pumpkin pie spice is simply a blend of warm, cozy spices. Here's what I like to put in my homemade spice blend.
Cinnamon: The star of the blend, cinnamon adds warmth and sweetness.
Ginger: Dried ground ginger adds subtle warmth and a hint of spice.
Nutmeg: This adds depth and a slightly sweet, nutty flavour.
Cloves: This spice adds a warm flavour that rounds out the blend. Be careful not to add too much if you change the ratios.
Allspice: This unique spice has notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves all rolled into one. It adds complexity to the blend. If you don't have allspice, that's ok! You can add more of the other spices (see instructions below).
This recipe has not been tested with all possible substitutions or variations. Making changes may alter the taste, texture, or overall outcome. If you try a different ingredient, please share in the comments!
See the recipe card for the complete ingredient list and recipe instructions.
How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Blend
This is one of the simplest recipes you can make.
Measure out your spices and stir them together until everything is well combined, and you'll have a great substitute for pumpkin spice from the grocery store.
Before you start, make sure your spices aren't stale. Spices rarely go rancid, but they do lose flavour over time.
Your spices should smell fragrant. If they barely smell, or if they smell funky or musty, replace them.
Allspice Substitute: If you don't have allspice, make my allspice substitute blend and use ½ teaspoon of it instead.
Whisk everything together; it only takes about 20-30 seconds.
Once everything is blended, you can use your homemade pumpkin spice right away or store it for later.
Recipe Variations
Customize this blend to suit your preferences.
If you love a certain spice more than others, or skip one you don't care for, adjust the amounts to suit your taste.
Here are some popular variations to try.
- Extra depth: Add a tiny pinch of black pepper (optional)
- Spicier blend: Add more cloves or ginger
- Sweeter version: Increase the cinnamon or allspice
How to Store
Store your homemade pumpkin spice blend in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight, like your pantry or a kitchen cupboard away from your oven.
Your blend will keep as long as the individual spices stay fresh, typically about 1 to 2 years. This recipe makes enough for my Fall baking, but not so much that I have to store it for long.
Tip: If you notice your spice blend has lost its aroma over time, it's time to make a fresh batch!
Ways to Use Your Pumpkin Spice
Of course, you can use this blend in any recipe that calls for pumpkin spice. But here are some other creative ways to use it throughout your kitchen:
- Morning beverages: Sprinkle a pinch into ground coffee for a cozy pumpkin spice vibe
- Toast topping: Mix with a bit of sugar and sprinkle on hot buttered toast
- Baked goods: Add to cookies, cakes, brownies, and quick breads
- Roasted vegetables: Dust over roasted squash or sweet potatoes for a savoury-sweet side dish
- Chili flavour-booster: A little pumpkin spice can add big flavours to any chili recipe.
Once you've mixed up a jar, this collection of cozy pumpkin desserts for fall offers lots of ways to use it. You'll find everything from chewy pumpkin bars to velvety pumpkin pies.
Once you make this pumpkin pie spice recipe, you'll find yourself reaching for it all autumn.
It's one of those simple kitchen staples that makes everything taste a little bit cozier.
Recipe Card
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Blend
Ingredients
- 1.5 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- .5 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- .25 teaspoon ground cloves
- .5 teaspoon ground allspice, (see note for substitution)
Equipment
- Jar with a tight-fitting lid, for storing
Instructions
- Measure all the spices into a small bowl.
- Whisk together until well combined.
- Use immediately, or transfer to an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place for later.
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Notes
- Allspice Substitute: If you don't have allspice, make my allspice substitute blend and use ½ teaspoon instead.
- Make sure your spices aren't stale before you make this recipe. If they smell funky, musty, or barely smell at all, replace them.
- If your spices aren't very fresh, you may need to add more to the blend.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, like your pantry or kitchen cupboard, away from the oven. Keep out of direct sunlight
- This blend will keep for about 1 to 2 years. If it loses its aroma over time, make a fresh batch.
- Feel free to adjust the ratios to suit your taste! Try adding a pinch of black pepper for extra depth, more cloves or ginger for more spice, or more cinnamon for a sweeter version.
- Use as a replacement for store-bought pumpkin spice, or sprinkle on buttered toast with sugar, add to your morning coffee, dust over roasted squash or sweet potatoes, or stir into chili.
Please read the full blog post for all of my tips, variations, and recommendations for this recipe.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate provided as a courtesy and will vary based on the specific ingredients used. For exact values, use your preferred nutritional calculator with the products you're using.
Private Notes
Have you made this recipe?
Let us know how it turned out in the comments!About Shareba
Shareba Abdul is a Trinidadian-Canadian recipe developer and food photographer with a Culinary Arts certificate from George Brown College and 15+ years of experience creating and testing recipes for home cooks. She is an active member of the International Association for Culinary Professionals and tests every recipe on this website in her own kitchen. Learn more →
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