This pumpkin spice substitute is perfect for when your out, but it's also far more flavorful than what you buy in the store. This easy pumpkin pie spice recipe can be used for your favorite Fall recipes!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This homemade pumpkin pie spice substitute is made with simple, whole spices that you probably already have in your pantry. It's easy to make and it will keep for up to 6 months in an airtight container.
So next time you're in the mood for some pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, or pumpkin bread, reach for your homemade pumpkin pie spice instead of the store-bought stuff!
- Made with simple, whole spices that you probably already have in your pantry.
- Easy to make and it will keep for up to 6 months in an airtight container.
- More natural and affordable alternative to store-bought pumpkin pie spice.
- Tastes amazing!
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute Ingredients
- Pumpkin Pie Spice vs Apple Pie Spice
- How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute
- Serving Suggestions
- Related Recipes
- Substitutions and Variations
- Equipment
- Storage and Reheating
- Tips for Success
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Food Safety
- Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- Connect with Smells Like Delish!
- 📖 Recipe
Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute Ingredients
This recipe is perfect for making in the fall when you're in the mood for all things pumpkin.
- Cinnamon - Use ground Ceylon cinnamon instead of Saigon cinnamon. Saigon cinnamon is actually cassia, an inexpensive relative of true cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon. Saigon cinnamon is best for savory cooking, Ceylon cinnamon for baking.
- Ginger - Ground ginger.
- Nutmeg - Ground.
- Allspice - Ground.
- Cloves - Ground. Use a light hand, as too much clove can make your pumpkin spice substitute bitter.
- Mace - Ground, optional.
PRO TIP: Nutmeg has a casing, that is dried and ground and sold as Mace. A pinch of Mace is transformative to your baking. You don't find it in many pumpkin pie spice blends anymore, simply because it's costly, and it has fallen out of fashion. But, you will LOVE it!
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Pumpkin Pie Spice vs Apple Pie Spice
What's the difference anyway, don't they use the same spices?
Apple pie spice and pumpkin pie spice are both popular spice blends used in fall desserts and baked goods. However, there are some key differences between the two blends.
- Pumpkin pie spice contains cloves, while apple pie spice does not. This gives pumpkin pie spice a slightly more warm and spicy flavor.
- Pumpkin pie spice often contains more ginger than apple pie spice. This gives pumpkin pie spice a slightly more earthy flavor, especially if you add a pinch of ground Mace.
- Apple pie spice may contain cardamom, while pumpkin pie spice does not. Cardamom has a citrusy flavor that can add complexity to apple pie spice.
In general, pumpkin pie spice has a more complex, warming, and spicy flavor than apple pie spice. This is due to the presence of cloves and ginger in pumpkin pie spice blend.
You can substitute pumpkin pie spice for apple pie spice in most recipes, but the results will not be quite the same. The cloves and ginger in pumpkin pie spice will give the dish a slightly different flavor.
How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute
Making your own pumpkin pie spice substitute is liberating. You can adjust the ratios to get your blend just the way you like it!
Not only that, but you can revive the Victorian use of Mace in baked goods. It's the outer casing of the nutmeg, but has a more pronounced and pungent or earthy flavor... perfect for ANYTHING pumpkin!
Prepare The Spices
- Measure all the spices into a bowl. Take notes if you make any changes to the recipe so that you can replicate it.
Mix To Combine & Store In A Jar
- Mix the spices together until well combined.
- Store the pumpkin spice substitute blend in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Serving Suggestions
When using pumpkin pie spice substitute in baking recipes, you can use the same amount of the store-bought spice. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, you can use 1 teaspoon of your homemade pumpkin pie spice substitute.
Here are some of our recipes using this pumpkin pie spice substitute:
- Crumbl Pumpkin Cookies
- Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte
- Carrot Mini Bundt Cakes
- Pumpkin Butter
- Oatmeal Raisin Pecan Cookies
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations using this pumpkin pie spice recipe.
- Mace is often overlooked. It's the outer covering of the nutmeg, and a small amount added to your pumpkin pie spice blend will elevate anything you bake. It's not included in store bought blends, as it's expensive compared to the other spices.
- You can add a little ground clove to your pumpkin spice blend also, but use a light hand, as it's very strong.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this substitution for pumpkin pie spice.
- Nitrile Gloves
- Disposable Face Mask
- Rounded Ball Canning Jars, 8 oz
- Quilted Mason Jars, small 4 oz
- Spice Jars and Label Set
Storage and Reheating
- Store your pumpkin pie spice substitute in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
Tips for Success
- You can also use this substitution for pumpkin pie spice in non-baking recipes, such as coffee, yogurt, or oatmeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
In some recipes yes. You can use pumpkin pie spice substitute in place of cinnamon in most baking recipes. However, keep in mind that pumpkin pie spice has a more complex flavor than cinnamon, so you may want to adjust the amount of spice you use accordingly.
If you want to make your pumpkin pie spice substitute more potent, you can add extra cinnamon, ginger, and a little mace to your spice blend.
Yes! You can change the spice ratios or add other spices to your pumpkin pie spice substitute to create your own unique flavor profile.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
Connect with Smells Like Delish!
📖 Recipe
Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute
Ingredients
- 7 tablespoon cinnamon ground Ceylon cinnamon
- 5 teaspoon ginger dried ground ginger
- 4 teaspoon nutmeg ground
- 2 tablespoon allspice ground
- 2 teaspoon cloves ground
- 1 teaspoon mace ground
Instructions
- Measure all the spices into a bowl. Take notes if you make any changes to the recipe so that you can replicate it.7 tablespoon cinnamon, 5 teaspoon ginger, 4 teaspoon nutmeg, 2 tablespoon allspice, 2 teaspoon cloves, 1 teaspoon mace
- Mix the spices together until well combined.
- Store your pumpkin pie spice substitute in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
Notes
- When using pumpkin pie spice substitute in baking recipes, you can use the same amount of the store-bought spice. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, you can use 1 teaspoon of your homemade pumpkin pie spice substitute.
- You can also use this substitution for pumpkin pie spice in non-baking recipes, such as coffee, yogurt, or oatmeal.
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