Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute
Ever wondered how to make pumpkin pie spice?
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon ground allspice
- FOR A LARGE BATCH OF PUMPKIN PIE SPICE:
- 1 cup ground cinnamon
- ½ cup ground ginger
- ⅛ cup ground nutmeg
- ⅛ cup ground allspice
- If you’re making a small batch for one recipe, just add all ingredients to whatever you’re making.
- To make enough to save and store, mix large batch ingredients in a jar. Stir to combine, seal and store in a cool, dry place for up to 1-2 years.
Ever wondered how to make pumpkin pie spice? Make a homemade pumpkin pie spice blend in under 5 minutes (either 1 teaspoon to substitute in a recipe or a big batch to have on hand all season). I usually need pumpkin spice way before grocery stores stock it, so knowing how to make it myself means I never have to skip a recipe!
Alternative to Pumpkin Pie Spice
Have you ever wondered what to use if you don’t have pumpkin spice and a recipe calls for it? Learn which single ingredients work best if you need a quick substitute and learn how to make a big batch! I’ve used this combination in pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pie (and so many other fall recipes). Cinnamon is the star, but I especially love using allspice in the blend because that warm flavor just smells and tastes like the holidays.
You can mix just enough pumpkin spice for one recipe (ever get to that point in a recipe where it calls for 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice and you only have the individual spices?) or you can make a larger batch to keep in your pantry. Once you know the basic proportions, it’s an easy baking shortcut that saves you from buying another spice blend when you might have everything you already need.
Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute Ingredients
- Ground Cinnamon is the largest ratio in the ingredients; it’s the star of the show.
- Ground Ginger is usually the second most in the ratio. It’s almost the color of mustard powder and is great in sweet and savory dishes.
- Ground Nutmeg: buy it already ground for ease, although you could ground whole nutmeg if that’s all you have.
- Ground Allspice or cloves: Sometimes you’ll see ground cloves instead of allspice but I absolutely love allspice in pumpkin (and gingerbread) treats. Allspice smells like fall and the holidays to me, so it wouldn’t be a pumpkin pie or dessert without it. If you don’t have allspice, cloves can be a good substitute.
- Spices last awhile when kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
- Add a bit of mace or cardamom if you wish.
How to use your homemade spice for fall baking:
- Try this in my pumpkin snickerdoodles recipe!
- Make Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pies are the perfect fall desserts.
- Of course pumpkin bread is one of the best fall recipes.
- Pumpkin Spice Popcorn is another way to have a pumpkin spice latte!
Is pumpkin spice just nutmeg?
No, pumpkin pie spice is made up of 4-5 different spices.
Where is pumpkin pie spice in the grocery store?
Any of the spices listed will be in the spice aisle – usually the baking aisle – of the grocery store.
What other spices can be added to the mix?
Homemade pumpkin pie spice often includes mace or cardamom. Just add a bit of those if you wish to do so.
