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Have you ever wondered how to make your own pumpkin pie spice? This easy DIY recipe is perfect for making a homemade pumpkin spice mix. I love this homemade spice blend – I use it all year long!

spices on marble background with words on photo


Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute

Have you ever wondered what to use if you don’t have pumpkin spice and a recipe calls for it?

This pumpkin pie spice recipe is such a basic one and it’s one that comes in handy this time of year. It will help you whenever you’re making a recipe that calls for the mixed spice but not individual ones.

There are lots of different recipes and ratios out there for this pie spice blend. This recipe is my favorite, and the one I always use.

What is in pumpkin pie spice?

  • Ground Cinnamon – usually the largest of the ingredients
  • Ground Ginger – usually the second most in the ratio
  • Ground Nutmeg – buy it already ground for ease
  • 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.
spices in shot glass on marble background

Ratio of Spices in Pumpkin Spice

  • 2 parts cinnamon
  • 1 part ginger
  • 1/4 part each nutmeg and allspice

From that ratio, you can create however much you need. For example:

  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice recipe: you can use 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, and 1/8 teaspoon each nutmeg and allspice.
  • If you want 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice, use 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 3/4 teaspoon ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon each nutmeg and allspice.
  • If you’re making a big batch to store, you can use 2 cups cinnamon, 1 cup ginger, and 1/4 cup each nutmeg and allspice.

If you’re going the other route, as in, a recipe calls for individual spices and you only have pumpkin spice, look at how much cinnamon is called for. If it’s 1 teaspoon, then use about 1 1/2  to 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice mix, etc.

How to make Pumpkin Spice Mix

  • Measure out your ingredients.
  • Add them all to a jar and stir.
  • Use as directed in recipes!
spices on marble background

Tip From Dorothy

Expert Tips

  • If you’re making this in bulk just add it to a jar or airtight container and keep it in a cabinet for up to a year. Spices last awhile – be sure to check the dates on the spices you use to make it to make sure they’re fresh when you start.
  • Pumpkin Spice and pumpkin pie spice are the same thing – people often use them interchangeably in recipes.

FAQs

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.

overhead shot of pumpkin pie spice ingredients

DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe

4.56 from 9 votes
Have you ever wondered how to make your own pumpkin pie spice? This easy DIY recipe is perfect for making a homemade pumpkin spice mix. Next time a recipe calls for pumpkin spice you can make your own using this recipe!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Yield 2 cups
Serving Size 1 teaspoon

Ingredients
 

FOR ONE TEASPOON PUMPKIN PIE SPICE:

  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • teaspoon ground allspice

FOR A LARGE BATCH OF PUMPKIN PIE SPICE:

  • 1 cup ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup ground ginger
  • ¼ cup ground nutmeg
  • ¼ cup ground allspice

Instructions

  • 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 4 months.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

  • Spices last awhile when kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
  • Add a bit of mace or cardamom if you wish.

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1teaspoon | Calories: 106kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 359mg | Fiber: 9g | Vitamin A: 150IU | Vitamin C: 10.8mg | Calcium: 217mg | Iron: 3.3mg
Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate
Course Dessert
Cuisine American

How to use your homemade spice:

Learn how to make Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice! This recipe shows you how to make 1 teaspoon, 1 tablespoon and a big batch to store. This is the perfect DIY pumpkin spice recipe.

Last Updated on September 22, 2023



Dorothy Kern

Welcome to Crazy for Crust, where I share recipes that are sometimes crazy, often with a crust, and always served with a slice of life.

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12 Comments

  1. Sadly, way too much nutmeg and allspice, became analgesic because there is so much. Tried adding more cinnamon to thin out the amount of other spices in a serving but at this point I feel I’m just wasting more and more cinnamon.

  2. How can the nutrition be correct?
    106 calories in a teaspoon of unsweetened spices?
    28g cbs?
    Is it possible that the nutrition values were taken from a recipe for an actual baked good ta rather than just the spice mixture?

    1. Nutrition info is calculated by the recipe tool and is not guaranteed to be accurate, as noted at the bottom.

    1. I haven’t tasted or used that, so I’m not sure how strong it is, but I’d say about 1/2 tsp (but maybe do a taste test to be sure).

  3. Hey I was just wondering if there was any spice that would be a good substitute for ginger? I have a very good friend who is allergic but absolutely loves pumpkin spice. I want to make them some pumpkin spice scones for Thanksgiving but I can’t use ginger!

  4. can we also substitute ground cloves addition to these ingredients?? if yes, at what ratio? btw i searched on the int like one hour to find the most truthful ratio about the pumpkin spice cause i am obsessed with spices esp the ones for desserts like apple pie/gingerbread/pumpkin pie etc. and find this site love it so much, the treats are so close to me, thanks for these beautiful recipes <3

  5. I’m so ready for a pumpkin spice latte!! It’s never too early for pumpkin recipes in my opinion so bring them on!!!