Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

With a few common spices, you can make your own Pumpkin Pie Spice blend for that unmistakable warm spiced flavor in all your favorite cozy fall desserts.

Don’t be afraid to sprinkle this delicious spice blend into our favorite pumpkin recipes like pumpkin spice hot chocolate, pumpkin pie, pumpkin butter, and pumpkin bread.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice 

Do you ever feel like you have a pantry full of spices, but never seem to have the right ones for the recipe? It never fails that every year I go to make my pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, and I am somehow out of pumpkin pie spice. What hurts even more than realizing I’m out, it realizing I have to brave the crazy Thanksgiving crowds and drop almost $5 for the smallest jar of pumpkin pie spice. 

Once I finally found out you can make your own pie spice, everything changed! Homemade pumpkin spice is super simple to throw together and is an inexpensive alternative to buying the tiny premade jar. Odds are you already have all the ingredients in your spice rack! 

Now, when a recipe calls for fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, I will often replace it with this homemade pumpkin pie spice.

What is Pumpkin Pie Spice?

Guess What? There’s no pumpkin in pumpkin spice! Pumpkin pie spice is just a perfect blend of warm spices that come together to make that magical spiced flavor we all love in every pumpkin dessert, specifically pumpkin pie.

While you can use it to flavor your pumpkin spice latte, pies, and other baked goods, you can also add it to pumpkin chili, sprinkle it over roasted butternut squash, spice up some whipped cream, or mix it into ice cream or yogurt— it’s such versatile spice blend which is why we see pumpkin spice “everything”.

Why Is It called Pumpkin Pie Spice?

It got its name because it is the traditional blend of spices that are used to make a good ol’ fashioned pumpkin pie taste, well, like pumpkin pie. Without it, we would live in a world full of bland and boring pumpkin pies. 

Is Pumpkin Pie Spice Different Than Apple Pie Spice?

Pumpkin spice and apple spice mixes are extremely similar. The only main difference is that pumpkin pie spice has the addition of cloves and allspice, whereas apple pie spice is made up of only cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. 

If you’re in a pinch, you can always substitute one for the other, but there will be a slight change in flavor. 

How To Store Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

Since you are just mixing the spices together, the mixture can still be kept at room temperature with all the other spices on your spice rack. To keep the ingredients in this homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe fresh, I suggest using a small jar with a lid, or cleaning out an old spice container and putting the homemade version in there. 

How Long Does Pumpkin Pie Spice Keep?

When stored properly, at room temperature, in an airtight container, your pumpkin spice mixture will last you about two to three years. 

Just a reminder, though, that the freshness will depend on the quality of the spices you put into it. If you use this as a way to “clean out the spice rack” and use containers, then the shelf life will be much shorter.  It’s best to use fresh ingredients, and if possible, even use freshly ground nutmeg. 

Recipes To Make Using Your Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles – A soft, cinnamon-sugar cookie with just the right touch of pumpkin and spice. A fall twist on a classic favorite.

Baked Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal – All the cozy flavors of pumpkin pie, baked into a warm and easy breakfast.

Pumpkin Icebox Cake – a delicious no-bake dessert that comes together in no time. The hardest part is leaving it in the refrigerator overnight.

Snickerdoodle Bars – All the cinnamon-sugar goodness of the classic cookie, baked into soft bars with a rich frosting or crunchy cinnamon topping.

Pecan Pumpkin Pie French toast Roll-Ups – Sweet Hawaiian bread rolled with pumpkin filling and pecan cream cheese. Perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Skillet Blondie – Pumpkin, cheesecake, and blondie layers baked into one rich, decadent skillet treat.

Tools Used To Make This Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

Mini Glass Jars With Gold Lids

To make sure your homemade spices stay as fresh as possible, try out these mini jars! I love them for storing spices or any small ingredients I want to keep fresh. 

Glass Bowls 

I know I talk about this glass bowl set all the time, but that just proves how much they are worth it. Everyone needs a good clean set of glass mixing bowls for all their cooking needs.