Pumpkin Pie Spice vs Pumpkin Spice
Pumpkin pie spice vs pumpkin spice: same blend, two names. It’s cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, and most jars add a little allspice. If a recipe calls for one and you only have the other, swap them spoon for spoon.
Is pumpkin pie spice the same as pumpkin spice in every brand? Pretty much. The only difference between pumpkin spice and pumpkin pie spice is the name. “Pumpkin pie spice” came first, and “pumpkin spice” is the shorter name that took over with lattes. My homemade pumpkin pie spice takes about 2 minutes to stir together.
For more pumpkin spice recipes, be sure to also try my pumpkin spice protein bars or healthy pumpkin bars recipe.
What You’ll Love About This Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice:
Ingredient Notes
Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon is the base of the blend, so it’s worth buying a good one. I like Simply Organic ground cinnamon. It’s organic and easy to find at most grocery stores.
Ground Ginger: It adds a little warmth and bite. Use ground ginger here, not fresh. Fresh ginger is too wet for a dry spice mix.
Ground Nutmeg: Pre-ground works fine. Want a stronger flavor? Grate a whole nutmeg on a microplane right before mixing.
Ground Allspice: Allspice tastes like cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove all at once, which rounds out the blend. If you don’t have it, see the variation below.
Ground Cloves: A little goes a long way. Measure it level, because too much clove makes the whole jar taste bitter.
Some brands sell it as “pumpkin pie seasoning.” Same mix, different label. Whatever your recipe says, pumpkin spice vs pumpkin pie spice, this jar covers both. In the UK you’ll see “mixed spice,” a similar sweet blend that also has coriander, and it works in a pinch.
Pumpkin Pie Spice Variations
Without Allspice: For a pumpkin pie spice recipe without allspice, skip it and add 1 extra teaspoon of cinnamon and ½ teaspoon of extra nutmeg. It still tastes like pumpkin pie.
Add Cardamom: Stir in 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom for a chai-style blend. It’s really good in coffee.
A Pinch of Black Pepper: Add ¼ teaspoon of finely ground black pepper. You won’t taste it. It just makes the other spices pop.
Small Batch: Need just 1 tablespoon? Mix 1½ teaspoons cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ginger, ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon allspice, and ¼ teaspoon cloves.
Extra Cinnamon: For kids who like it sweeter, add another tablespoon of cinnamon. The blend comes out milder and less spicy.
How to Make Pumpkin Pie Spice
Here are quick visual instructions. Be sure to check out the full instructions with exact ingredients in the printable recipe card below.
Step 1: Measure: Add the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves to a small bowl.
Step 2: Whisk: Whisk until the color is even and there are no streaks or clumps.
Step 3: Store: Spoon the blend into a small airtight jar and label it with the date.
Pumpkin Pie Spice vs Allspice
They sound alike, but they’re different. Allspice is NOT a blend. It’s one spice, a dried berry from the allspice tree. It tastes like a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, which is how it got its name. Pumpkin pie spice is a blend of four or five spices, and allspice is often one of them.
Can you swap them? In a pinch, yes. For each teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, use ½ teaspoon allspice and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Going the other way, pumpkin pie spice can stand in for allspice one for one. The flavor will be a little more cinnamon-forward.
How Much Pumpkin Pie Spice for a Pumpkin Pie
For one 9-inch pumpkin pie, use about 1½ to 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice. Start with 1½ teaspoons if you like a milder pie. Go up to 2 if you want it bold and spiced. Making a full Thanksgiving dessert table? My list of healthy thanksgiving dessert ideas has lighter pumpkin options, too.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Whisk, don’t just stir. Ground cloves and nutmeg like to clump, and a quick whisk spreads them out. You’ll get the same flavor in every spoonful.
Check your spices first. Ground spices lose their flavor after about a year. Give each jar a sniff; if it barely smells, replace it before you mix.
Store it in a cool, dry place. Keep the airtight container away from the stove and the dishwasher, where heat and steam make the blend clump.
Use a shaker jar. You’ll love having your pumpkin spice mix in a jar with a shaker lid; it sprinkles over oatmeal or coffee without measuring. Bonus: a shake in your coffee is one of my favorite tricks for how to sweeten coffee without sugar.
How to Use Pumpkin Spice
It’s not just for pie. This blend goes in pumpkin bread, muffins, cookies, and baked oatmeal. Stir ½ teaspoon into oatmeal or the batter for pancakes and waffles for a fall breakfast. A pinch in your coffee or a homemade chai tea latte is my favorite way to use it.
It works on savory food, too. Toss roasted butternut squash or sweet potatoes with a little olive oil and ½ teaspoon of the blend. For more baking ideas, try this Pumpkin Pie Recipe or these Pumpkin Muffins.
Frequently Asked Questions
The easiest pumpkin pie spice substitute is the individual spices. For each teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, use ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ginger, and ⅛ teaspoon each of nutmeg and cloves. Only have cinnamon? Use it alone. The flavor is simpler, but your pie will still taste great.
No, but they’re close. Apple pie spice is mostly cinnamon with a little nutmeg and allspice, and it usually skips the ginger and cloves. You can use pumpkin pie spice in an apple pie; it’ll just taste a little warmer and spicier.
Nope! It’s only spices. The name comes from the pie it was made for, not from pumpkin itself. That’s also why a pumpkin spice latte doesn’t always have any pumpkin in it.
If you mix up a jar of this, leave a comment and star rating below. Tell me what you sprinkled it on first!
More Pumpkin Recipes
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
Ingredients
For the spice blend
- 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons ground allspice
- 2 teaspoons ground cloves
Instructions
- Add the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves to a small bowl.
- Whisk for about 30 seconds, until the color is even and no clumps are left.
- Spoon the blend into a small airtight jar, seal it, and write the date on the lid.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional details for recipes are estimated using MyFitnessPal and can vary with different products, measurement accuracy, and source reliability. We aim to provide accurate information but cannot guarantee the precise accuracy of the nutritional data