It's that time of year to keep a few things on hand for all your fall baking needs: pie pans, pumpkin puree, and, of course, a jar of pumpkin pie spice. But if you reach into your pantry halfway through making a pumpkin spice cake only to realize you're out of the warm and cozy blend, don't panic! Save yourself a mad dash to the supermarket by using an easy pumpkin spice substitute. You'll be back on track to pumpkin dessert heaven in no time.
One of the most asked questions about pumpkin pie spice is whether there's actual pumpkin in it. Nope! It's called pumpkin pie spice because its flavor perfectly compliments pureed pumpkin in seasonal sweets like pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin bars. In fact, if you think you love pumpkin, what you probably love is the clever spice blend that brings so much flavor to these fall desserts. It's simply made of spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. That means if you have a well-stocked spice cabinet, you can easily mix up your own using our pumpkin pie spice recipe.
Making your own pumpkin pie spice is pure genius for several reasons. First, it's less expensive than store-bought blends. Secondly, it allows you to personalize your blend based on your favorite flavors. Sprinkle in an extra dash of cinnamon or a touch more ginger if you're into that sort of thing! Keep reading for more easy pumpkin spice substitutes.
What is pumpkin pie spice?
Most pumpkin pie spice blends are comprised of a big dose of ground cinnamon followed by smaller increments of ground ginger, nutmeg and allspice, though some blends call for cloves in place of or in addition to the allspice. A standard recipe for pumpkin pie spice calls for 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon, 2 teaspoons each ground ginger and nutmeg, and 1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice—add 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves if you like or already happen to have some. Whisk together, then store in an airtight container, such as an empty spice jar. This mix can be your go-to pumpkin pie spice substitute—use it as a one-for-one swap.
What can I use if I don't have pumpkin pie spice?
For the best flavor, mix up your own pumpkin pie spice! It's quick and easy and is guaranteed to give you the pumpkin spice flavor that you know and love. However, if you're in a bind, you can always simply use cinnamon in place of the spice blend. You won't get quite the same complexity of flavor as you would from pumpkin pie spice, but it's close enough to work in a pinch. You can also use another fall baking hero—apple pie spice!
What's the difference between pumpkin pie spice and apple pie spice?
These two spice blends share a lot of similar ingredients including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. The major difference is that apple pie spice contains cardamom. Cardamom has a piney, sharp flavor that is ideal for balancing the sweetness of apples in pie and other apple desserts. The good news is, it's perfectly delicious with pumpkin too! Since the two spice blends have so many similarities, apple pie spice is an excellent substitute for pumpkin pie spice.
How do I substitute pumpkin pie spice for individual spices?
Whether you make your own or buy a store-bought jar of pumpkin pie spice, you can use the blend in so many delicious ways. That's right, it isn't just for pumpkin desserts! Say you're baking a cake that calls for ground cinnamon—you can swap in an equal amount of pumpkin pie spice, plus more to taste, to give the cake a deeper, cozier flavor. Keep in mind, though, that pumpkin pie spice contains stronger spices like ginger, nutmeg, and allspice that can be a touch overwhelming in some recipes, so don't go overboard.
