DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice

Article by: Krissy Downey  

Pumpkin pie spice is the ultimate flavor for fall, adding a touch of coziness to everything from pies and cookies to roasted veggies and cocktails. Our recipe takes it up a notch with a few unexpected ingredients that will keep you warm and satisfied all season long. Read on for everything you need to know about how to make, use and store homemade pumpkin pie spice.

 What Is In Pumpkin Pie Spice?

Pumpkin pie spice (often just called pumpkin spice) is a mix of warm, aromatic spices typically associated with fall flavors. Traditionally, the ingredients for pumpkin spice blends are nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and ginger.

How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice Like a Pro

Check the freshness of your ground spices. We’ve all been there: checking the expiration dates in your spice drawer, only to realize they all expired months (or even years!) ago. In general, spices don’t technically expire, they just lose potency, so you want to make sure you’re always working with spices that are as fresh as possible. It’s a good habit to date spices when you buy them, and keep in mind that they lose potency after about a year.

Up the flavor. A typical pumpkin pie spice recipe of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and ginger is tasty, but we add allspice and cardamom to take it to the next level. Allspice is warm and peppery, and cardamom is sweet and citrusy, making our pumpkin pie spice particularly autumnal and delicious.

Make a big batch. Our pumpkin pie spice lasts for up to three months, so you can make a big batch on the first day you feel a crisp in the air and keep enjoying it all season long. With our spice blend in your pantry, you’re always just a few steps away from a seasonal meal, dessert, or drink.

Label and date it. Remember that scenario of finding out all your spices are long expired? Avoid that by dating your jar of pumpkin pie spice clearly, so you’re aware of its shelf life every time you use it.

Store it correctly. Store your pumpkin spice seasoning in an airtight container, and keep it in a cool, dry place (like a drawer or cabinet) to avoid any sun or temperature damage.

How to Use Pumpkin Pie Spice

The obvious way to use pumpkin pie spice is in, well, pumpkin pie of course, but there is so much more you can do with this versatile blend. Some of our favorites include:

Pumpkin spice lattes: They’re so easy to make at home, and our pumpkin pie spice is the perfect blend for your cozy drink.

Pumpkin snickerdoodles: What could be better than a warm, sugary pumpkin cookie? We especially love that this recipe uses pumpkin spice and pumpkin puree, creating fluffy, chewy and delicious snickerdoodles.

Pumpkin seeds: The best part of pumpkin carving is roasting and snacking on those delicious seeds! Our pumpkin pie spice quickly turns them into a tasty and addictive snack.

Pumpkin bread: With over 500 reviews, this pumpkin bread recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Just replace the dry spices in the recipe with two tablespoons of our pumpkin pie spice. You’ll come back to this recipe season after season.

Pumpkin martinis: Now we’re talkin’! Drink your dessert with this creamy, autumnal cocktail. It’ll be a welcomed surprise at your next dinner party, Friendsgiving or harvest dinner.