Homemade Pumpkin Spice Mix
This homemade pumpkin spice mix takes just minutes to make with four simple spices you probably already have in your pantry. Keep a jar handy for fall baking, oatmeal, pancakes, and cozy drinks, or package it up as an easy homemade gift.
Why You’ll Love My Recipe
- Homemade pumpkin pie spice gives you complete control over your spice blend so you can customize it just the way you want.
- It’s much more economical to make your own than it is to buy a seasonal blend.
- Fantastic for gifting as part of a little fall hostess gift.
If you love all things pumpkin spice and you’re not making your own spice mix at home, consider this your sign! This mix is just as good as my apple pie spice mix, but it’s tailored to complement the earthy flavor of pumpkin (of course, you can use it even if there’s no pumpkin!)
Skip the extra trip to the store and make your own pumpkin spice mix right at home. This simple mixture of spices comes together in minutes and lets you control exactly what goes into the jar.
Make a little for your favorite fall recipes or mix up a larger batch to use all season. It also makes a cute and inexpensive gift for teachers, neighbors, hosts, and friends.
What Is Pumpkin Spice Mix?
Pumpkin spice mix is a warm spice blend most commonly used in pumpkin pie and other fall recipes. Despite the name, the mixture contains no pumpkin.
Most blends include cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Some versions also include allspice or cardamom.
You can use homemade pumpkin pie spice anywhere a recipe calls for it. It is also an easy way to add warm fall flavor to breakfast, desserts, drinks, and snacks.
Ingredients
- Ground Cinnamon: It’s fragrant, a little woody, and gives a strong but warm flavor to everything you add it to! Cinnamon is usually the most prominent spice, so use one you enjoy. If you love cinnamon, you can add a little extra.
- Ground Cloves: These are bold and slightly sweet, but a little goes a long way. Too much clove can overpower the other spices, so measure carefully. If you want a milder blend, reduce the cloves slightly.
- Ground Ginger: We need something to balance the cinnamon’s sweetness, and ground ginger does a good job because it’s a little spicy.
- Ground Nutmeg: This brings a warm, nutty flavor that ties everything together. I like to use freshly grated nutmeg if it’s one of my only spices in a recipe, but here, a store-bought finely ground nutmeg is perfect.
Variations: This recipe is easy to customize. You can add optional spices to customize your blend. Ground allspice adds another layer of warm flavor. Ground cardamom adds a slightly floral, citrusy note. Start with a small amount of either spice and adjust from there. Some recipes even call for a pinch of black pepper.
This mixture is very forgiving, so feel free to experiment a little. (You can also experiment with the ratios until you find the blend your family likes best. Be sure to write down your changes so you can recreate your favorite version next time.)
Serving Suggestions
You can use this homemade pumpkin spice recipe for so much more than making pumpkin pie! It’s the ideal substitute for pumpkin pie spice. Of course, it’s perfect in my famous pumpkin cheesecake truffles and pumpkin butterscotch cookies (pictured above). I bet you’d be surprised to know that it even works in savory recipes like brown sugar sweet potatoes and butternut squash casserole with pecans!
Here are some other ways to use your homemade pumpkin spice blend:
- Stir it into oatmeal or overnight oats. Sprinkle it over buttered toast. It’s perfect for adding to pancake or waffle batter.
- Mix it into muffins, quick breads, cookies, cakes, and homemade granola.
- Try adding a pinch to hot chocolate, apple cider, tea, or your favorite fall latte.
- You can even stir some into whipped cream, cream cheese, or use it to make a version of cinnamon butter for a quick seasonal spread.
Love all things pumpkin? Check out this collection of delicious pumpkin recipes!
You’ll find recipes for staples like pumpkin bread and pumpkin sheet pan pancakes, plus hearty pumpkin chicken chili and more.
Make It Ahead
This recipe is perfect for making ahead because the spice blend stores well in your pantry.
Mix up a batch before fall baking season starts so that you can just grab one jar instead of measuring several spices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pumpkin spice mix contains spices traditionally used to season pumpkin pie, but it contains no pumpkin.
Yes, in most recipes, the terms pumpkin spice and pumpkin pie spice refer to the same general combination of warm spices. Exact ratios can vary by brand and recipe.
Cloves have a strong flavor, so you can reduce them or leave them out if you do not care for them. Your mixture will taste a little milder but will still have plenty of warm fall flavor.
Yes. This is such an easy little homemade gift.
Add the mix to a small spice jar or glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Add a label and ribbon, then tuck it into a fall gift basket.
You could even pair it with a loaf of homemade quick bread with a handwritten recipe card, a cute fall kitchen towel, or a sweet little autumn mug.
Before You Make the Recipe
If you make this pumpkin spice mix, I would love to hear how you use it. Share the recipe with a friend, save it for fall baking season, and come back to leave a comment and tell me what you made with it.
Pumpkin Spice Mix
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Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons cup ground cinnamon
- 4 teaspoons ground ginger
- 3 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons ground cloves
- 2 teaspoons ground allspice optional
Instructions
- Add all of your spices to a small bowl.6 tablespoons cup ground cinnamon, 4 teaspoons ground ginger, 3 teaspoons ground nutmeg, 2 teaspoons ground cloves, 2 teaspoons ground allspice
- Whisk everything together until the spices look evenly combined. Break up any small clumps as you mix. (Mix gently so they don't go flying all over the kitchen!)
- Transfer the pumpkin spice mix to a clean, dry jar with a tight-fitting lid (or other air tight container).
Notes
Ang’s Recipe Tips
- Mix thoroughly. Nutmeg, ginger, and cloves can settle into little pockets. A small whisk works well for creating an even blend.
- Break up clumps before storing your mixture. Moisture can cause spices to stick together.
- Taste and adjust your mix. (I think the easiest way to do this is to sprinkle a little on a piece of toast or a slice of apple).
- Make a double batch if you bake often during the fall. It takes almost no extra time and saves you from measuring four different spices every time you make a recipe.
- Label your jar with the name and date. This makes it easier to keep track of how fresh your mixture is.
Storage
Store your pumpkin spice mix in an airtight jar in a cool pantry for up to 6 months for the best flavor. (These are my favorite airtight containers.) Find all my favorite products for making my own spice blends.Similar Recipes
If you love making your own seasoning blends, you have to check out this collection of all my best homemade spice mixes!
You can find our super-popular cowboy spice mix, versatile pork rub, and so much more.
