A recipe for your very own homemade pumpkin pie spice. Combining cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and allspice into an aromatic blend, to add to all sorts of delicious treats. Not to mention a great way to celebrate Halloween, pumpkins and the season of fall no matter where you are!
This spice blend can be used in all types of ways including stirred into coffees, added into baked goods such as bread and pastries, used in breakfast items (aka french toast, waffles and pancakes!), sprinkled over/ mixed into whipped cream for an interesting change, traditional style in a classic pumpkin pie or even to flavour roasted vegetables!
What’s Pumpkin Pie Spice?
Pumpkin pie spice surprisingly contains no actual pumpkin or pumpkin flavour at all. It’s a blend of all the spices used in making a pumpkin pie and pops up plentiful in October when the fall season settles upon America.
It’s not exactly that common here in the Southern Hemisphere where we are right in the middle of spring, which is why making your own is a treat! Rather than longing for all those treats, we can make them ourselves with this homemade blend.
Pumpkin spice deliciousness here we come…
How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice?
Pumpkin pie spice simply blends the following 5 ground spices…
- Cinnamon: The predominant spice in this mix. Cinnamon is the base for pumpkin pie spice and provides a lovely warm flavour. It’s also such a versatile spice that works particularly well with other spices.
Learn more about the flavour profile of cinnamon and other essential spices here
- Ginger: The second most important spice in this mix. Ginger gives this mix some richness and pairs well with the other aromatic spices.
- Nutmeg: A warming spice with a slight nuttiness. If you can use freshly grated whole nutmeg for the best flavour, otherwise ground nutmeg works just as well.
- Cloves: If you too have difficulty finding any form of ground cloves you can grind up your own from whole cloves. Which is also great for the freshness and flavour. Cloves are quite pungent so only a small portion gets added to this mix.
TIP: Grind up whole cloves in either a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder to make a fine powder.
- Allspice: a warm aromatic spice that derives from dried green unripe berries (source). As allspice has such a strong flavour profile, a little goes a long way. Therefore, you’ll only require a small amount.
What is Pumpkin Spice Used for?
Pumpkin pie spice can be used for so many different things other than just in a pumpkin pie…
Here are a few ideas and suggestions…
- In coffee! Get into the pumpkin festivities, by stirring in a small amount of pumpkin spice in with your coffee. It’ll give it an extra burst of flavour and a festive variation on your regular. And you can even add in a bit of pureed pumpkin to make it authentic!
- Or make a pumpkin spice latte without the coffee, for a caffeine-free alternative! Just stir together pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, maple syrup and a dash of hot milk. Then you have yourself a wonderful drink, which could even be served chilled over ice with a bit of whipped cream!
- To make pumpkin pie spice french toast! Tastes as delicious as it sounds and is certainly a great way to spice up your morning.
- Whisk together eggs, pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Then soak pieces of bread in your mixture and pan-fry until golden. Serve with your favourite toppings including honey, maple syrup, fruit, cream cheese or cream.
- Sprinkled over vegetables just before baking in the oven! Particularly amazing if you’ve got kumara, potatoes, carrots, parsnips, yams or pumpkin. Cut vegetables into manageable chunks toss in some oil, salt, pepper, a drizzling of honey and a sprinkling of pumpkin pie spice. Then bake until cooked through, golden and crispy. Such a great side dish to pair with anything you like!
- Give it away as a gift, to a friend, colleague or family member. Anyone could benefit from a lovely glass jar full of pumpkin spice in their lives! Plus it’s something a little different, you could even make it part of a hamper – October or even Halloween edition, full of pumpkins, candies and all kinds of goods.
When Does Pumpkin Pie Spice Expire?
Pumpkin pie spice does not so much expire, as it does have a best-before date. And that is generally within 6 months of being made. This is because after this point the aromatics and flavours are generally lost over time. Even more so if they are pre-ground.
The spices themselves will last for over a year, however, they may not deliver such punch, nor provide the taste that they once could have. Therefore, it’s best to use it up while you can! Hence why the 6-month rule was suggested.
Storing
The best way to store your homemade pumpkin pie spice blend is either in a clean glass jar or an airtight container somewhere cool and dry, like your pantry.
I like to keep mine, right next to the other spices on my spice rack! Making it easy to find and access when you’re feeling like a pumpkin spice latte or any other delicious October-esk treats.
Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tbsp ground ginger
- 2 tbsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ground allspice
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl, until thoroughly combined.
- Pour contents into a glass jar or airtight container.Store in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
If you give this homemade pumpkin spice recipe a go, don’t forget to tag @theculinaryletter and #theculinaryletter, so I can see all your wonderful creations!
Until next time, stay curious!
Stay connected!
