Pumpkin pie spice mixes aren't just overpriced; they often include fillers and additives. As a holistic nutritionist and a mom (who does a love of cozy fall baking), I want that fresher, flavorful spice mix that I feel good giving to my kids.
This pumpkin spice mix ratio is what takes my fall recipes from good to incredible, like in my pumpkin cheesecake(dairy-free), pumpkin seed granola bars, and my pumpkin snack cake. Make your own mix, it's so simple!
My homemade pumpkin pie spice mix
I started making my own spice mix when my sister, who lives overseas, asked me to mail her some... The small spice containers were so expensive, I knew I could make a more cost-effective version! Then I realized it's so simple to make, I could send her this recipe to make it too.
These flavours are not just for pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving! Honestly, as soon as cold evenings and mornings show the start of fall I start baking and making drinks with this spice (which is usually the first week of September in Alberta!).
Jump to:
- My homemade pumpkin pie spice mix
- Can I substitute cinnamon instead of pumpkin pie spice in recipes?
- What is pumpkin pie spice?
- Ingredients needed for pumpkin spice mix
- How I make a homemade pumpkin spice mix
- Perfect as a fall gift
- Top tips to take note of
- Customize your spice blend
- My recipes using pumpkin pie spice
- Pumpkin Pie Spice Ratio
- Danika Vanderpyl, C.H.N
Can I substitute cinnamon instead of pumpkin pie spice in recipes?
If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, you can substitute it for cinnamon, but it won't have the same 'pumpkin flavor'. I recommend making your own spice blend with a few warm spices.
However, I do swap it the other way around - anything made with cinnamon I often will use this spice mix all fall long (swapping cinnamon with a 1:1 ratio of pumpkin spice works perfectly)!
What is pumpkin pie spice?
It is a mixture of warm spices to flavor pumpkin pie, pumpkin lattes, muffins, pumpkin cheesecakes, or anything to reflect the taste of pumpkin pie!
In McCormick, pumpkin pie spice blend is cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice. Other blends also include cloves or pepper.
Ingredients needed for pumpkin spice mix
Once you understand the flavors of each spice, you can really adjust the ratios of the homemade pumpkin spice mix to your liking. It's a mix of 4-5 spices; most people have the majority of these spices already in their kitchen!
Basic pumpkin pie spice ratio
A common pumpkin spice mix follows this basic ratio:
- 4 parts cinnamon
- 3 parts ginger
- 1 part nutmeg
- ½ part cloves (optional)
- ½ part allspice (optional)
Follow the recipe below for the best pumpkin pie spice mix.
This blend creates a well-rounded flavor with cinnamon taking center stage, while the ginger adds a subtle warmth, and nutmeg and cloves bring a cozy, slightly spicy depth.
Nutrition note from Danika: Warm spices bring a physical warmth inside the body. These spices are great for digestion and your immune system as the weather becomes colder.
How I make a homemade pumpkin spice mix
Step 1. Place all the fresh spices into a jar, secure the sealing lid and shake well. That's all! You have a lovely spice blend. Store in the sealed jar for up to 2 years.
Perfect as a fall gift
Swing top spice jars are perfect for making this spice mix into a present or the cutest take-home gift from a wedding or a fall party.
Pair it with gingerbread pumpkin muffins or fall granola!
Top tips to take note of
- Check to see that all the spices you are using are still fragrant and flavorful, sniff sniff!
- Store this mix in a sealed jar with a label. It's important to keep the spice fresh and fragrant. You also want to remember what you have in your mix, write out the ingredients and record if you made a special ratio.
Customize your spice blend
- For a spicier kick: If you enjoy a little more heat, increase the ginger to 4 parts instead of 3. Ginger provides that slight zing, which can balance the sweetness in desserts.
- For a milder mix: Tone down the cloves by reducing them to half a part or even omitting them entirely. Cloves can give quite a punch, so if you’re not a fan of that bold flavor, go easy on them.
- Sweet and subtle: To bring out more warmth and sweetness without making the mix too overpowering, keep cinnamon dominant, increasing it to 5 parts.
- A secret ingredient: Expert baker Sally likes to add a pinch of black pepper to her pumpkin spice recipe! Add a little kick with some pepper.
My recipes using pumpkin pie spice
- Pumpkin spice energy balls
- Pumpkin seed granola bars
- Pumpkin seed cookies with orange
- Pumpkin smoothie
- Fall granola
- Dairy-free pumpkin cheesecake bites
Did you use this ratio for making your own pumpkin pie spice? Please take a minute to let me know what you think of this recipe and give it a star rating. I read every comment, and it helps this tiny blog grow!
Pumpkin Pie Spice Ratio
Equipment
- sealing jar
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place all the spice ingredients into a sealed jar. Shake everything together so it mixes well.
Notes
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- Spicier: Increase the ginger to 4 parts instead of 3.
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- Milder mix: Tone down the cloves by reducing them to half a part or even omitting them entirely.
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- Sweet and subtle: Keep cinnamon dominant, increasing it to 5 parts.
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- A secret ingredient: Add a pinch of black pepper for a little kick.
Nutrition
Danika Vanderpyl, C.H.N
I create snack recipes with healthy ingredients that are mostly already in your kitchen. I'm certified in Holistic Nutrition and I care about giving my kids real food. Let me share my nutrient-dense easy snacks with you.
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