Hello, homemade pumpkin pie spice!
While I was digging through Mother Lovett’s recipes yesterday, I was looking for one particular thing. I quickly lost track of my original search because I spotted a handwritten note for homemade pumpkin pie spice. It felt like a small treasure.
I was excited — maybe a little silly about it. I celebrated with chocolate and then tried to decipher Mother Lovett’s nearly illegible handwriting. Her notes are charming but often hard to read, which made me smile and sigh at the same time.
It had never occurred to me to mix my own pumpkin pie spice. I usually pick up a jar at Trader Joe’s, and I was curious to see how a homemade mix would compare. Spoiler: it’s just as good — and you can easily tweak it to suit your taste.
I used the homemade blend in a pumpkin recipe I’ll share soon, and I honestly couldn’t tell the difference between my mix and the store-bought version. It worked beautifully and felt more personal to use a blend I put together myself.
After checking the ingredient list on the Trader Joe’s jar, I noticed they include cardamom. I decided to add just the tiniest pinch of cardamom to my blend for a subtle, aromatic lift.
Because Mother Lovett’s notes are more of a guideline than a strict formula, I felt comfortable adjusting quantities. I reduced the cloves slightly since I’m not a huge fan of their dominant flavor. Cloves bring back cozy memories for me — my mother used to stud pineapple with cloves for a holiday ham — but I don’t usually want that strong clove note in sweet baking.
That said, you can balance the spices however you prefer. If you love cloves, leave them at the suggested amount. If you want a lighter, sweeter mix, ease back on the cloves and add a touch more cinnamon or nutmeg.
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
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Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- a pinch of cardamom
Instructions
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Measure and combine all spices in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly until evenly blended. Transfer the spice blend to an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place. Use as you would any pumpkin pie spice blend.
Did you make this recipe?
Share a photo of your pumpkin pie spice or a recipe you made with it. Tag and celebrate your baking — it’s a small, satisfying way to add homemade flavor to your fall favorites.
Now go make your own pumpkin pie spice — it’s quick, economical, and you can tailor the blend to match your baking preferences.