With just 4 ingredients, this homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice recipe couldn’t be easier to make (or taste more like the original). This pumpkin spice blend is based on my all-time favorite — McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice. The balance of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice makes a perfect addition to all your fall baking, including pumpkin bread, banana bread, pumpkin pie, and even curries. Plus, it’s inexpensive and it makes great holiday gifts.
When I was leaving NYC for China, I took a suitcase full of spices with me including two containers of McCormick’s Pumpkin Pie Spice. When the last bottle was almost empty, I made this homemade version using the original blend for a direct comparison. The goal was to get as close as I could to the flavor of McCormick’s — and I’m pleased to say, couldn’t be happier with the final ratio. Try it for yourself next to a bottle of the original.
What is Pumpkin Pie Spice?
Pumpkin Spice or Pumpkin Pie Spice is a combination of ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice typically used for adding flavor to pumpkin pies, cakes, and other fall desserts. Sometimes you’ll find a blend that may also include cloves, cardamom, or even mace. These mostly Indonesian spices made their way to the New World when The Dutch East India Trading Company took control of the Spice Islands in the early 17th century. This is where the first spice blends that we think of today as “pumpkin spice” come from.
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Ingredients
The great thing about making your own pumpkin pie spice is that if you do want to add ground cloves or a little more ginger or nutmeg, you can. If you’re a fan of McCormick’s use this copycat pumpkin pie spice recipe for all your holiday baking and spiced lattes.
- ground cinnamon
- ground ginger
- nutmeg
- allspice
How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice — Measure, Whisk, Seal.
The great thing about making your own pumpkin pie spice is that if you do want to add ground cloves or a little more ginger or nutmeg, you can. If you’re a fan of McCormick’s use this copycat pumpkin pie spice recipe for all your holiday baking and spiced lattes.
- Measure the spices in a small bowl.
- Whisk the spice blend until combined.
- Seal it in a jar or other airtight container and use it for making pies, cakes, lattes, or even as a substitute for Garam Masala in your favorite curry and, Enjoy!
Ways to Customize Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
There are lots of ways to customize homemade pumpkin pie spice. Here are a few ideas to help you build your own house blend. Be sure to taste and measure as you go, recording the amounts used so your next batch will be even easier to make.
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- add 1/4 teaspoon Vanilla bean Powder to give pumpkin pie spice a hint of sweet vanilla
- add 1/8 teaspoon Cardamom to add intense, sweet floral notes (don’t add too much because it can become stringent)
- add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon ground Cloves if you love the warm spicy directness of cloves
How to Use Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
Although Pumpkin Pie Spice is perfect for pumpkin and apple desserts of all kinds, it can be used in so many other desserts and even in a good Indian-inspired curry. Here are a few of our favorite ideas to help inspire your next pumpkin-spiced kitchen project.
- Spice up a White Chocolate Caramel Cheesecake
- Kabocha Pumpkin Pie Tart w/Pecan Crunch (from scratch)
- Spice up Fall Meringue Cookies
- Very Berry Frutti di Bosco Muffins (w/Crackle Top)
- Apple Rum Cake with Pecan Crunch
- Bakery Style Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Bread (w/Toasted Walnuts)
- Granny’s Perfect Pumpkin Bread w/Toasted Pumpkin Seeds (a Vintage Recipe)
Let’s get started!
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Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice (McCormick’s Copycat)
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 Jar 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
With just 4 ingredients, this homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice recipe couldn’t be easier to make (or taste more like the original). This pumpkin spice blend is based on my all-time favorite — McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice. The balance of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice makes a perfect addition to all your fall baking, including pumpkin bread, banana bread, pumpkin pie, and even curries.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
Instructions
- Measure the spices in a small bowl.
- Whisk the spice blend until combined.
- Seal it in a jar or other airtight container and use it for making pies, cakes, lattes, or even as a substitute for Garam Masala in your favorite curry and, Enjoy!
Notes
Ways to customize Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend
- add 1/4 teaspoon Vanilla bean Powder to give pumpkin pie spice a hint of sweet vanilla
- add 1/8 teaspoon Cardamom to add intense, sweet floral notes (don’t add too much because it can become stringent)
- add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon ground Cloves if you love the warm spicy directness of cloves
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Spice Blends
- Method: Mix & Stir
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 teaspoon
