Simple recipe to make homemade pumpkin pie spice

Absolutely! Homemade pumpkin pie spice is not only a quintessential flavor for fall dishes like pumpkin pie, but it also brings a warm and aromatic touch to various other recipes. This spice blend typically includes cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and sometimes cloves, allspice, or cardamom.

Beyond its delightful taste, each component of pumpkin pie spice offers health benefits. Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves are rich in antioxidants and possess anti-inflammatory properties, making them excellent additions to your diet.

When purchasing ingredients for your homemade pumpkin pie spice, opt for organic ground spices whenever possible. This ensures quality and freshness, enhancing the flavor of your spice blend. Additionally, consider making your own pumpkin puree by roasting an organic pumpkin in the oven for added health benefits.

Creating your own pumpkin pie spice mix is a simple and rewarding process. Feel free to adjust the ratios of spices to suit your personal preferences and experiment with additional spices for a unique flavor profile. Enjoy the cozy and comforting flavors of homemade pumpkin pie spice throughout the holiday season and beyond!

Why make your own pumpkin pie spice?

Indeed, despite its name, pumpkin spice flavoring often contains more than just spices and sugar. According to the Institute of Food Technologists, pumpkin spice flavoring can include high fructose corn syrup, cane sugar, and synthetic chemicals designed to mimic the taste of pumpkin pie.

These synthetic chemicals, such as cinnamic aldehydes for cinnamon, eugenol for clove or allspice, terpenes like sabinene for nutmeg, zingiberene for ginger, and vanillin and cyclotene for burnt butter or maple notes, are used to recreate the complex flavor profile of pumpkin pie.

While commercial pumpkin spice products may offer convenience, they often contain added sugars and artificial ingredients. Making your own pumpkin pie spice allows you to control the ingredients and avoid unwanted additives, ensuring a more natural and flavorful result.

Commercial pumpkin spice flavored syrups may indeed contain additional ingredients such as condensed skim milk, carrageenan (a thickening agent that has raised health concerns), as well as artificial colors and preservatives. These additives are often used to enhance texture, flavor, and shelf life but may not align with everyone's dietary preferences or health goals.

For those looking to avoid these additives and have more control over the ingredients they consume, making homemade pumpkin spice syrup can be a healthier alternative. By using natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, along with real pumpkin puree and a blend of spices, you can create a delicious syrup that captures the essence of fall without any unwanted additives.

How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice

For this pumpkin spice pie recipe, I recommend only five or six ingredients, all healthy spices. Ingredients include cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cloves and, if desired, cardamom, which can add another layer of flavor.

Indeed! Once you've combined all the spices thoroughly, transfer the pumpkin pie spice mixture to a small glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Make sure to seal the jar properly to keep the spices fresh and flavorful. Store the jar in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and use the homemade pumpkin pie spice blend as needed in your favorite recipes. Enjoy the delicious fall flavors!

How to Use

Absolutely! Using this homemade pumpkin pie spice blend as a substitute for individual spices in your favorite recipes is a fantastic idea. Here's how you can incorporate it into various dishes:

Pumpkin Pie or Pumpkin Bars: Simply add up the measurements for all the individual spices listed in the recipe, and replace them with an equal amount of the homemade pumpkin pie spice blend. This makes it easy to achieve the same delicious flavor profile with the convenience of a single spice blend.
Oatmeal: Sprinkle a teaspoon or two of the pumpkin pie spice blend into your morning oatmeal for a flavorful and cozy start to your day. It adds warmth and depth to the oats, making them even more satisfying.
Pumpkin Butter: Cook down a batch of spicy pumpkin butter using the homemade pumpkin pie spice blend. It makes a delightful spread for toast, muffins, or pancakes, and it also makes a thoughtful homemade gift during the holiday season.
Desserts: Sprinkle the pumpkin pie spice blend onto pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin cheesecake, or any other pumpkin-flavored dessert for an extra layer of flavor and aroma. It enhances the pumpkin flavor and adds a touch of warmth to your sweet treats.

With this versatile spice blend on hand, you can easily infuse all your favorite pumpkin-inspired dishes with the warm and aromatic flavors of fall. Enjoy experimenting with different recipes and savoring the delicious results!

Sprinkling this homemade pumpkin pie spice directly into your favorite beverage can add warmth and depth to it, creating a delicious chai-like flavor profile. Unlike commercial pumpkin spice flavored lattes, which often contain added sugars and artificial ingredients, using this homemade spice blend allows you to enjoy a healthier alternative.

If you have a spare 10 minutes, you can whip up a delightful and good-for-you pumpkin spice latte using coconut milk, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, fresh-brewed coffee, and of course, this homemade pumpkin pie spice blend. It's a cozy and comforting drink that's perfect for chilly fall mornings or cozy evenings at home. Yum indeed!

By making your own pumpkin spice latte at home, you can control the ingredients and adjust the sweetness and spice level to your liking. Plus, you get to enjoy the wonderful aroma and flavors of homemade pumpkin pie spice in every sip. Cheers to delicious and healthier beverages!

If you tend to be short of time, however, make a batch of pumpkin spice infused syrup to have on hand for quick latte assembly.

In a small saucepan, combine one tablespoon of this pumpkin pie spice recipe, two tablespoons of pumpkin puree and one cup water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer it very gently for 10 minutes.

Strain the cooked mixture through a cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Mix the flavored water (you should have about a cup; add a little water if you are short) with one cup of raw honey or maple syrup. Stir until the honey or maple syrup dissolves. Store your finished syrup in a covered glass jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Add a shot of pumpkin spice infused syrup to a mug of half coffee, half plant milk (oat, almond or light coconut milk) for a quick and healthy pumpkin spice latte.

If you tend to be short of time, however, make a batch of pumpkin spice infused syrup to have on hand for quick latte assembly.

Add a shot of pumpkin spice infused syrup to a mug of half coffee, half plant milk (oat, almond or light coconut milk) for a quick and healthy pumpkin spice latte.