Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe

This Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe is one of those easy pantry staples that makes fall baking feel a little simpler. It takes just 5 minutes and uses five familiar spices: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. Mix them together once, then you’ll have a warm, flavorful blend ready for pumpkin pie, muffins, quick breads, oatmeal, coffee, and plenty of other fall recipes.

I love keeping a jar of this in the pantry because I never have to stop in the middle of a recipe and realize I’m out of pumpkin pie spice. The ingredients are all spices I usually have on hand anyway, and it takes less time to make this than it does to dig through the cabinet looking for a half-empty store-bought jar.

The flavor is warm and balanced, with plenty of cinnamon and just enough ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves to make everything taste properly pumpkin-spiced. It’s especially good in pumpkin bread, muffins, donuts, and other fall baking. If you’re ever out of the store-bought jar, this homemade blend works as an easy pumpkin pie spice substitute. Use it measure-for-measure anywhere a recipe calls for pumpkin pie spice.

Is This the Right Recipe for You?

• Makes about 1/4 cup: That is enough for several recipes, so this is a good option if you plan to do more than one round of fall baking.
• The flavor is cinnamon-forward: Cinnamon makes up most of the blend, while ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves add warmth without taking over.
• You need five separate spices: This recipe is most useful when you already have the individual spices in your pantry and want to turn them into one ready-to-use blend.
• A substitute for store-bought: Use the same amount of this homemade blend whenever a recipe calls for pumpkin pie spice.
• The recipe takes about 5 minutes: There is no grinding, toasting, or special equipment. You only need measuring spoons, a small bowl, and a jar.
• Easy to double: Make a larger batch if you bake with pumpkin pie spice often or want enough to keep on hand through the season.

Pumpkin Pie Spice Ingredients

• Ground cinnamon: Forms the base of the blend and gives it that familiar warm, lightly sweet flavor.
• Ground ginger: Adds a little brightness and keeps the cinnamon from tasting flat.
• Ground nutmeg: Brings a deeper, slightly nutty flavor that works especially well in pumpkin desserts.
• Ground allspice: Rounds out the blend with warm notes similar to cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
• Ground cloves: Adds a strong, warm finish. A little goes a long way, so measure this one carefully.

How To Make Pumpkin Pie Spice

Step 1: Measure the spices

Add the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves to a small bowl. Level each measuring spoon so the stronger spices, especially the cloves, stay balanced with the cinnamon.

Step 2: Mix until evenly combined

Stir the spices together with a small whisk or spoon until the mixture is one even color and you no longer see separate streaks of any one spice.

Pro Tip: If you notice small clumps, press them against the side of the bowl with the back of a spoon before storing the blend.

Step 3: Transfer to a container

Spoon the pumpkin pie spice into a clean, dry spice jar or another small airtight container. Add a label and the date so it is easy to find and you know when it was mixed.

Pro Tip: A small funnel makes this step cleaner, but a folded piece of parchment paper works well too.

Expert Tips

• Smell each spice before mixing. Open the jars and make sure every spice still has a strong aroma. One older, faded spice can make the entire blend taste flat.
• Use measuring spoons instead of a kitchen scale. These spices weigh so little that many home scales won’t register them accurately, especially the smaller amounts of allspice and cloves.
• Stir the blend before each use. The finer spices can settle toward the bottom of the jar during storage, so give it a quick stir or shake before measuring.

Substitutions and Variations

• Make it more cinnamon-forward. Add a little extra cinnamon if you prefer a milder blend with less emphasis on the ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
• Tone down the cloves. Reduce the cloves slightly if their flavor tends to stand out too much for you. Avoid replacing them with an equal amount of another strong spice.
• Add a pinch of cardamom. Cardamom gives the blend a slightly brighter, more aromatic flavor. It isn’t traditional in every pumpkin pie spice mix, so start with a small pinch.
• Try a little black pepper. A very small pinch adds subtle warmth without making the blend taste peppery, especially when you use it in pumpkin bread, spice cake, or cookies.

Storage and Make-Ahead

Store homemade pumpkin pie spice in a clean, airtight container in a cool, dark cabinet away from heat and moisture. For the strongest flavor, use it within about 6 months.

You can make the blend well ahead of fall baking season, so it is ready whenever you need it.

Ways to Use Pumpkin Pie Spice

Use this homemade pumpkin pie spice anywhere you would use a store-bought blend. These recipes are a good place to start:

• Best Pumpkin Pie From Scratch: A classic pumpkin pie with a homemade crust and warmly spiced filling.
• Mini Pumpkin Pies: Individual pumpkin pies with a flaky crust and creamy spiced filling.
• Pumpkin Muffins with Pecan Streusel: Soft pumpkin muffins topped with a buttery pecan streusel.
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars: Creamy pumpkin cheesecake bars with warm fall spices and an easy crust.
• Baked Pumpkin Donuts: Soft baked pumpkin donuts finished with a cinnamon-sugar coating.
• Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies: Soft, cake-like pumpkin cookies filled with chocolate chips.

Frequently Asked Questions

What spices are in pumpkin pie spice?

Pumpkin pie spice usually contains cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. This homemade blend uses cinnamon as the base, with smaller amounts of the stronger spices so the flavor stays warm and balanced.

Does pumpkin pie spice contain pumpkin?

Pumpkin pie spice does not contain pumpkin. It is a blend of ground spices used to season pumpkin pie and other fall recipes. The pumpkin flavor comes from pumpkin puree, while the spice blend adds cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.

Is pumpkin spice the same as pumpkin pie spice?

Pumpkin spice and pumpkin pie spice usually mean the same thing. Both names refer to a warm blend commonly made with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves, although the exact ingredients and proportions can vary between brands and homemade pumpkin spice recipes.

Can homemade pumpkin pie spice be used as a substitute for store-bought?

Homemade pumpkin pie spice works as a substitute for store-bought pumpkin pie spice in an equal amount. If a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, use 1 teaspoon of this homemade blend. Stir or shake the jar before measuring so the spices are evenly distributed.

How long does homemade pumpkin pie spice last?

Homemade pumpkin pie spice has the best flavor when used within about 6 months. Store it in a clean, airtight container in a cool, dark cabinet away from heat and moisture. The blend may remain usable longer, but the aroma and flavor will gradually fade as the ground spices age.

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If you made this homemade pumpkin pie spice, be sure to leave a comment and a star rating below. I love hearing how it turned out for you!