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Have you ever wondered how to make your own pumpkin pie spice substitute? This easy DIY recipe is perfect for making a homemade pumpkin spice mix. Making your own spice blend is easy and perfect to make in bulk or just to use in a pinch when a recipe calls for it. I use this mix all day long!

A white bowl filled with ground pumpkin spice, a metal measuring spoon resting inside. Cinnamon sticks and small pumpkin decorations are nearby on a white surface.

Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute

Have you ever wondered what to use if you don’t have pumpkin spice and a recipe calls for it? I often need it but they don’t have it at the grocery store because it’s too early for pumpkin spice season. (Pumpkin Spice and pumpkin pie spice are the same thing – people often use them interchangeably in recipes.)

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. It’s a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves and it’s so easy to make your own pumpkin pie spice blend! 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.

A white dish holds four piles of ground spices labeled as cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and nutmeg—key ingredients in pumpkin pie spice. Cinnamon sticks and small pumpkin-shaped candies are arranged around the dish on a white surface.

Ingredients in Pumpkin Pie Spice

  • Ground Cinnamon is the largest ratio in the ingredients
  • 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.

Click to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions and below the recipe card for process shots.

A glass jar filled with ground cinnamon sits on a white surface, with cinnamon sticks and a small pumpkin decoration nearby.

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How to make Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute

The magical ratio for a jar of pumpkin pie spice is:

  • 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:

  • For a single recipe or 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice recipe: you can use 1/2 teaspoon of 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 a recipe calls for individual spices and you only have pumpkin spice, look at the amount of cinnamon is called for. If it’s 1 teaspoon, then use about 1.5  to 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice mix, etc., then use about 1 1/2  to 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice mix, etc.

How to Store DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice

  • Once you mix your spices together it will last 1-2 years if stored properly and if you’re starting with fresh spices.
  • Make sure to store the spice blend in a jar or airtight container in a cool, dark area, like a pantry or cabinet.
  • I love these mason jars for bulk spices or these small spice jars for pumpkin season.
A white plate with four piles of ground spices—cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves—surrounded by whole cinnamon sticks and small pumpkin-shaped decorations on a light surface.

How to use your homemade spice for fall baking:

A white bowl filled with ground pumpkin spice, a metal measuring spoon resting inside. Cinnamon sticks and small pumpkin decorations are nearby on a white surface.

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!

Recipe Video

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.
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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

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.

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.

4.56 from 9 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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12 Comments

  1. 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).

  2. 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!

  3. 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

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