Pumpkin pie spice mix recipe & ideas to use it

My favourite recipe for making pumpkin pie spice mix at home. A great way to add warming spice to any sweet pumpkin bake, dessert or drink.

I love autumn – the cold mornings and warm hazy sun in the afternoons. It’s also a good excuse to start making comfort food and drink lots of hot chocolate with cream or a coffee with freshly milled coffee beans. And all of these yummy things can be always improved with a hint of pumpkin pie spice!

If your recipe calls for ‘pumpkin pie spice’ and you don’t have any in the cupboard, I want to show you how you can make the spice mix really quickly from spice that you probably already have at home.

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MORE SPICE MIX RECIPES

• Gingerbread Spice >>
• Mixed Spice >>
• Pumpkin Pie Spice >>

How to get the pumpkin mix spice recipe just right

One slightly confusing thing that I found (similarly like with my recipes for the gingerbread spice mix, mixed spice mix and apple pie spice mix) is that there are quite a few versions of the pumpkin pie spice mix and the final version depends on your personal preference. If you have a bit of a pumpkin pie spice emergency and you don’t have all the ingredients (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger), just use the one you have.

You might sometimes see all spice mentioned in the recipe mix, but I’ve checked shop-bought packaging and it’s not included. All spice (or mixed spice) is a similar mix of cinnamon and other warming spices.

There is always more of cinnamon than any other spice as it’s mild in flavour. If you want your spice to be more fiery, use an extra teaspoon of ground ginger, but don’t overdo it with ground cloves and nutmeg. These two are quite strong in flavour and you don’t want to overpower your taste buds.

A note on ingredients

One thing, I’ve found making this spice mix, is that it can be difficult to buy ground cloves. One guy at my local farmer’s market spice stall told me that cloves are very hard to grind and they don’t have the right equipment to make the spice mix very fine.

I managed to buy a packet of ground cloves in another health shop and I made sure I bought two packs as I knew that normal supermarket wouldn’t have them. All the other spice is easily available in ground form in your local supermarket.

MORE HOMEMADE MIX SPICES

• Apple Pie Spice >>
• Christmas Stollen Spice >>
• Oatmeal Spice >>

Recipes & ideas to use pumpkin pie spice mix

• Use as a topping for a cream on a hot chocolate drink
• Add a sprinkle to your morning porridge (especially good with apple or if you have a pumpkin puree)
• Use to bake cakes, buns and tray bake
• Make a pumpkin pie spiced hot milk
• Sprinkle on a morning yoghurt bowl
• Add to breakfast smoothies

MORE SPICE MIX RECIPES

• Chili Spice >>
• Guacamole Spice >>

Recipes with pumpkin pie spice mix

• Pumpkin & Oats Breakfast Smoothie >>
• Sweet Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls >>
• Cinnamon & Sugar Roasted Pumpkin Seeds >>
• Traditional Pumpkin Butter >>
• Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Muffins >>
• Pumpkin Pie >>
• Pumpkin & Biscoff Cheesecake >>
• Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Filling >>
• Gluten- Free Pumpkin Donuts >>
• Pumpkin & Chia Breakfast Smoothie >>
• Pumpkin Pie Spice Oatmeal with Greek Yoghurt >>
• Pumpkin & Banana Breakfast Smoothie >>

How to store and keep pumpkin spice

Once you are happy with your pumpkin pie spice mix, keep it in the small glass jar and use it within 3-6 months. You can of course keep the spice mix for longer, but the essences and flavours tend to disappear after a year or so.

Variations on my basic homemade pumpkin pie spice mix

I often make my basic pumpkin pie spice mix, but sometimes I either don’t have the right ingredients or want to make something slightly different. So, here are my favourite variations on the recipe you can also try.

Spicy Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix Recipe variation

To make your homemade pumpkin spice mix spicier, you can increase the quantities of the more pungent and stronger spices. This combination will give your spice mix a more intense and spicy flavor. Here are a few adjustments you can make:

• Increase the ground ginger to 1.5 or 2 teaspoons.
• Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground allspice, which adds a robust, spicy flavor.
• Add a pinch (about 1/8 teaspoon) of black pepper for an extra kick.

Your revised recipe could look like this:

• 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1.5 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

More unusual pumpkin spice mix recipe variation

To make your homemade pumpkin spice mix more interesting, you can add a variety of spices that complement the existing flavours. These additions will make your pumpkin spice mix more complex and aromatic. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Allspice: Add 1/2 teaspoon of ground allspice to enhance the complexity and warmth of the mix.
2. Cardamom: Add 1/4 teaspoon of ground cardamom for a sweet and floral note.
3. Black Pepper: Add a pinch (about 1/8 teaspoon) of ground black pepper for a subtle heat.
4. Star Anise: Add 1/4 teaspoon of ground star anise for a hint of licorice flavor.

Here’s how your revised recipe could look:

• 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground star anise

Mild pumpkin spice mix recipe variation

To make your homemade pumpkin spice mix milder in flavour, you can reduce the quantities of the stronger spices. This adjustment will maintain the essence of the pumpkin spice mix while making it milder and less intense. Here are some adjustments you can make:

• Reduce the ground nutmeg to 1/2 teaspoon.
• Reduce the ground ginger to 1/2 teaspoon.
• Reduce the ground cloves to 1/4 teaspoon.

Your revised recipe could look like this:

• 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

This recipe was originally written on 29 July 2020 and last tested and updated on 13 June 2024

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