My homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice recipe is rich and sweet and extra robust, with a secret ingredient that adds elevated flavor and the coziest warmth. Use this custom spice blend in all your favorite fall pumpkin recipes, from pumpkin muffins to pumpkin lattes, to pumpkin pies!
You know me. I aim to amp up flavor whenever I can. And that’s where my recipe for homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice comes in so handy. The warm, sweet spice mix has a little extra zing from a couple big pinches of ground black pepper, which definitely makes it stand out from other recipes. It gives your pumpkin pie and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies — not to mention your Pumpkin Pancakes and Pumpkin Spice Latte — that little extra something that makes them unforgettable!
Why I Love This Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe
I always used to gravitate toward Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Pie Spice. And when I finally took the time to compare ingredients labels, it became obvious to me why. The Trader Joe’s one included some black pepper. Of course – I love black pepper!
- That fabulous black pepper. I add just add enough black pepper to spark an interesting, more complex flavor note. But you certainly could add more, since you are the ultimate decision maker when it comes to making your own homemade blend.
- Customizable. I use this recipe as a foundation, and encourage that same belief system for everyone. Sometimes I add more or less of an ingredient, to suit my needs for whatever I’m making.
- Make as much as you need. If you’re the kind of person who adores all things pumpkin spice, and enjoys those cozy flavors all year ’round, then go ahead and double, triple, etc. the quantity each time you make this. It’ll save you some in the long run.
Enjoy!
What You’ll Need
Here are the ground spices you’ll need to make your own pumpkin pie spice. Scroll down to the printable recipe card to find the exact ingredient quantities and full recipe instructions.
- Cinnamon – The dominant flavor in pumpkin spice, cinnamon brings sweetness and warmth, with a touch of earth-woodsy flavor. There are many different varieties of cinnamon – I always aim for one with pronounced flavor and aroma.
- Ginger – This spice is also warm, but it has more of a peppery bite to it. I also add it to my homemade Apple Pie Spice.
- Nutmeg – Another warm spice (are you seeing a pattern here?!), nutmeg is also nutty and earthy, but pungent too — a little goes a long way!
- Allspice – While it’s not made with a blend of spices, this single dried berry does have the flavor of a lot of common spices.
- Cloves – Cloves are quite strong, with a robust aroma and spicy, slightly bitter flavor.
- Black pepper – While we know black pepper for its earthy warmth and bite, if you examine it a little closer, you’ll also notice some notes of citrus. This spice is the added special something in this pumpkin pie spice recipe!
A Note About Buying Spices
The best way to make sure your pumpkin pie spice packs the most punch is to grind your own spices. You can use a coffee grinder or a dedicated spice grinder to do it. This really does make a difference.
The next best option is to head to your nearest spice shop or grocery aisle. A popular spice shop can have higher turnover of product, and oftentimes a higher quality of product. Otherwise pay attention to expiration dates and look for the freshest spices possible.
My Favorite Ways to Use Pumpkin Spice
This spice blend is so very versatile. If a recipe doesn’t call for pumpkin pie spice, and calls for a single spice or a few other spices instead, just substitute those with the same amount of pumpkin pie spice.
- Muffins and breakfast rolls. My Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins are a must-make. Also try my mom’s famous Caramel Rolls and swap out the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice.
- Pancakes, waffles, and French toast. Whisk some pumpkin pie spice right into the pancake or waffle batter – try my Buttermilk Pancakes or Classic Homemade Waffles. Or stir some into the egg mixture when making French toast.
- Pumpkin desserts. You just can’t go wrong adding pumpkin pie spice to recipes like Pumpkin Cheesecake, a pan of layered Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars, or this delightful No-Bake Pumpkin Pie in a Jar recipe. Also add it to Pumpkin Ice Cream or No-Bake Pumpkin Icebox Cake!
- Whipped butter. Make some Cinnamon Honey Butter and swap out cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice. Serve it with warm Popovers or Honey Cornbread Muffins – SO GOOD!!
- Coffee. A homemade Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew is a favorite, very deserving of your spice mix. Or simply add a pinch to your cup of coffee with a splash of cream. I like to sprinkle it over my morning latte for instant cozy fall flavor.
- Oatmeal. Stir it into your morning bowl of oats, along with some maple syrup.
- Granola. Add it to any granola recipe, like this Almond Coconut Granola.
- Caramel. Stir it into caramel sauce and drizzle it onto ice cream or a slice of pumpkin pie.
How to Make & How to Store
How to make pumpkin pie spice: Whether you’re grinding your own spices or using individual containers of already-ground spices, it’s super easy to make. Just measure out each individual spice and stir together until evenly incorporated.
How to store pumpkin pie spice: Keep your pumpkin pie spice in a sealed jar or other airtight container and store it in your pantry or a cabinet, away from heat and light. Assuming you’ve used very fresh spices, it will keep really well for about 6 months before the flavor starts to fade. But you can still use it after that; the flavor just won’t be quite as vibrant as when you first mixed it together.
More Homemade Spices and Seasonings
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Ingredients
- ¼ cup ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 big pinches ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, stir all ingredients until evenly incorporated.
- Store in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid, to use in all your favorite recipes that call for pumpkin pie spice!
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