Would you believe that most of the “pumpkin” flavor in pumpkin spice comes from the spice? It’s true. Pumpkin on its own can be a little ho-hum. It needs some warming spices to meet its true potential.
I’m sharing my go-to pumpkin spice blend recipe in the hopes that it saves you a trip to the grocery store this fall. It’s super quick and easy.
You don’t need a store-bought pumpkin spice blend if you have these basic spices in your drawer: ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice or cloves. Simply stir them together, and you’re ready to bake up all your pumpkin spice treats.
The only trick is knowing the proper ratio, which you’ll find in the recipe below. This recipe intentionally yields a small amount (two tablespoons), in case you just need enough pumpkin spice to bake, say, a pie. You can easily multiply the recipe to yield a full spice jar, if you’re planning to bake up a storm this season.
Pumpkin Spice Uses
You can use this homemade pumpkin spice blend in any recipe that calls for pumpkin spice. You can also add some “pumpkin spice” flavor to any recipe by simply adding a teaspoon or two of this blend. Any recipe that already calls for cinnamon (or could benefit from it) is fair game for a pumpkin spice spin.
If you’d like to simplify a recipe that calls for multiple spices (including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg or similar), replace the sum total of spice with the same amount of pumpkin spice blend.
- Baked treats: Pumpkin Pecan Polvorones (Mexican Wedding Cookies) and Pumpkin Pecan Scones with Maple Glaze
- Pancakes and waffles: Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pancakes, Whole Wheat Pumpkin Pancakes, and Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles
- Quick breads: Healthy Pumpkin Muffins and Healthy Pumpkin Bread
- Warm drinks: Homemade Pumpkin Chai Latte
Please let me know how this recipe works for you in the comments! Tell me, what pumpkin treats are you craving this fall?
Pumpkin Spice Blend
- Author:
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 tablespoons 1x
- Category: Spice Blend
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: American
This pumpkin spice blend recipe is so easy to make. Combine ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice or cloves. Stir them together and make your favorite pumpkin recipe! Recipe yields 2 tablespoons. You can easily double or triple the recipe (3 teaspoons is equivalent to 1 tablespoon).
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice or cloves
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, combine all of the spices. Stir to combine.
- Pumpkin spice will keep well in an airtight container for up to 1 year. Fresh spices are generally more potent, however.
Vegetable enthusiast. Dog lover. I'm probably making a big mess in my Kansas City kitchen right now. 
Janet Fazio
Good to know! I have all these spices already. No need to have another jar in the spice cupboard.
Kate
I’m glad you liked this post, Janet!
Kairle Oaks
Pumpkin pie spice is unreasonably expensive. I’ve looked for recipes in the past, but they made ridiculously large amounts. This is perfect! Thank you!
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome, Kairle!
Emily
Love how easy this is to make! Now I no longer need to go buy pumpkin spice. I had no idea that I have all the ingredients in my pantry!!!
Kate
It’s easy, right! Thanks for your comment, Emily.
Marilyn Kay
Really good mix, thanks! Even good just topping pumpkin with this spice mix, butter and a bit of maple syrup. Heat in microwave for fast dessert.
★★★★★
Trudie
I’m allergic to cinnamon any thoughts on modifying this?
Kate
You could try adding a blend of the other spices, however I’m afraid they might be too overpowering. How do you usually substitute cinnamon?
Trudie
Typically I use allspice and a dash of cayenne and black pepper for the “heat” cinnamon has. I was just hoping someone might have a brilliant alternative I had missed!
Jan G.
How do you think adding a teaspoon of this pumpkin spice blend to coffee with some cream would work?
Kate
I think that sounds delicious! I’m not sure on the quantity without trying it, but that seems right. You could always add less and increase with more. If you have a milk frother, you could add that with your creamer then add to your coffee!
Jan G.
I made a batch of the pumpkin spice blend this morning. Since I already had a full pot of coffee made, I added just a sprinkle of the spice blend to my cup of coffee with my creamer. It was delicious. The next time I make a new pot, I will experiment by adding some to the ground coffee in the coffee maker. Maybe I’ll start with a half teaspoon or just go for it and add a teaspoon for a full pot. I will let you know how it turns out! In the meantime, I can’t wait to try your pumpkin muffins! Thanks for the pumpkin spice blend recipe. It sure beats the store-bought pumpkin spice blend! Btw, I want you to know that I have not yet made one of your recipes that wasn’t delicious! The pimento cheese recipe that you recently posted in your blog should carry a warning with it that it is addicting. I also just made the everyday red salsa recipe from your cookbook, and that was amazing, too. I made homemade baked tortilla chips to go with that, but I can’t figure out why some of them came out chewy. (Those weren’t your recipe.) Thanks again, Kate!
Kate
Thank you for sharing! I’m so glad you are loving so many recipes, Jan.
Lauren Gardiner
really good, thank you!!
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome!
Merie Ismahane
wow ! I love it thank you !!
Kate
You’re welcome, Merie!
Julia
So, I’m curious if you would substitute this blend for the spices in your Pumpkin Bread?
Kate
You could try it!
ABHI mArketing
best recipe,…thanks a lot
★★★★★
Kate
Thank you!
Brian Aber
GOING TO TRY OUT PUMPKIN CHAI LATTE.
GET BACK 2 U LATER
BRIAN
Kate
I hope you enjoy it!
Nancy
I had to double/triple the cinnamon in order to tone down the other spices. But at least it got me to the spice rack to mix my own blend.
★★★★
Kate
I’m sorry you didn’t love it, Nancy! But I’m happy it provided a guide for you.
m
Yum, a keeper. Simple and good. Merci beaucoup!!
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome!
Colleen Kelly
I have a lot of dehydrated pumpkin.I would love some recipes for using it.
Kate
Sorry, I don’t have any for you! But if you come across some, I would be interested!
Velda Stewart
Am always looking for spice blends to add to my cooking or baking am going to try this I use all those spices already this one is going to be very interesting thk u
Marie Suchla
EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT! EXCELLENT!. This recipe will be used often in my dessert repertoire. Not too sweet. Thank you.
Marie Rose
Marisa
Oh my God! This is SO delicious!!! We loved this recipe, and easy to make. The puree and the cream cheese topping are so smooth and delicious! So happy I didn’t have to buy the pumpkin spice because I had all the ingredients to make it from scratch (So 5 stars for that recipe too). Definitely will make again for Thanksgiving. Also, these are so cute looking. Each serving is very small, so I ate 2 LOL Thank you for this fantastic recipe!!!
★★★★★
Angela Strickland
Hi Kate. I was looking for a substitute for pumpkin spice instant pudding. The pudding is hard to find in stores. So I decided to substitute with vanilla instant pudding and your pumpkin spice blend. What are your thoughts on the substitute?
Kate
Hi Angela, I’m not sure without trying it. You can always add more spice if you need it.
Will
I’m making mead using pumpkin spice. How much of this mix should I put in a gallon?
Toni
love this – I make and use on repeat all year long! thanks for publishing this one!
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome, Toni!
SAA
It was fantastic – thank you!!
★★★★★
Kate
You’re welcome! Thank you for your review.
Catherine
Turned out great!use it to make PSL at home.
★★★★★
Janet Johnson
Finding this recipe online has saved me a trip to any store which is at least 13 miles away or more! Thank you for posting this. Haven’t used it yet, but will today! You’re a blessing!