If you only use pumpkin pie spice once or twice a year, buying another jar can feel like one more expense and one more spice container taking up room in the cupboard. The good news is that pumpkin pie spice is simply a blend of spices many home bakers already own.
Our homemade pumpkin pie spice blend is shown in the graphic below. It takes only a minute to mix, and you can make a small batch so it stays fragrant and fresh for your fall baking.
Is It Cheaper To Make Pumpkin Pie Spice?
That depends on what is already in your spice cupboard. At the time of writing, Walmart Canada listed a 35 g jar of Club House Pumpkin Pie Spice for about $4.37 and a 45 g Great Value jar for about $4.47. Grocery prices change, so consider those examples rather than permanent prices.
If you already have the four spices used in our blend, making pumpkin pie spice at home is usually the better value because you are using ingredients you already paid for. You can mix only what you need instead of buying a separate jar that may sit untouched for most of the year.
On the other hand, if you have to buy every individual spice just to make one small batch, purchasing a ready-made pumpkin pie spice may cost less up front. The homemade option makes the most financial sense when cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger are already pantry staples in your kitchen.
What Does Pumpkin Pie Spice Taste Like?
Pumpkin pie spice is warm, aromatic and slightly peppery. Cinnamon gives it the familiar sweet-smelling warmth, nutmeg adds a deeper nutty flavour, ginger adds a little heat, and cloves bring a strong, fragrant finish.
Despite the name, pumpkin pie spice is not sweet on its own and it does not contain pumpkin. It is simply a spice blend designed to complement pumpkin and other fall flavours.
Homemade vs. Store-Bought Pumpkin Pie Spice
Store-bought blends are convenient, but the ingredients and ratios can vary by brand. Some commercial blends include allspice, while our homemade version uses the four spices shown in the graphic.
Making your own also gives you control over the flavour. If your family loves cinnamon, you can lean a little more heavily into it. If cloves are too strong for you, make the next batch slightly milder.
Another advantage is freshness. Instead of keeping a specialty spice blend in the cupboard year after year, you can make a small amount when pumpkin season arrives. Keep it in a clean, airtight jar away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight. I prefer making enough to use within about six months so the flavour stays bright.
Ways To Use Pumpkin Pie Spice
Pumpkin pie may be the obvious choice, but this spice blend is useful far beyond pie. Try a small amount in pumpkin bread, muffins, scones, pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, granola, cookies, cheesecake, coffee, hot chocolate or a homemade latte.
It can also work with apples, pears, sweet potatoes and squash, so you do not have to wait until you are baking with pumpkin to use it.
Try It In These Canadian Budget Binder Pumpkin Recipes
- 35+ Best Pumpkin Recipes for Fall
- Pumpkin Spice Pound Cake With Brown Butter Buttercream
- Pumpkin Scones With Pumpkin Spice Icing
- Italian Pumpkin Biscotti With Icing
- Chocolate Frosted Pumpkin Brownies
- Simple Keto Pumpkin Bread Recipe
- One-Bowl Keto Pumpkin Muffins
- The Best Keto Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
Is Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Worth It?
If the spices are already in your cupboard, absolutely. It takes almost no time to make, costs very little per batch, reduces the need for another specialty spice jar and lets you make only as much as you need.
If you bake with pumpkin flavours often, keep a small jar ready for fall. If you only need it once, mix just enough for the recipe and put the individual spices back in the cupboard. Either way, you are using what you already have before buying something new.
Do you make your own pumpkin pie spice, or do you prefer to buy it ready-made?