What Is Pumpkin Pie Spice
Before diving into substitutes, it’s helpful to understand what pumpkin pie spice actually is. This blend typically includes the following spices:
- Cinnamon: The most dominant spice in pumpkin pie spice, bringing warmth and sweetness.
- Nutmeg: Adds a sweet, slightly nutty, and earthy flavor.
- Ginger: Contributes a spicy, slightly peppery heat.
- Cloves: Provides a rich, sweet, and somewhat bitter taste.
- Allspice: Offers a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove flavors. Not all store brands include this, so you can omit if you don’t have on-hand.
Most pumpkin pie spice blends contain these spices in varying proportions, however you will find some that call for no allspice or cloves. The cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger and quintessential, however.
Pumpkin Recipes
Here are a few of my pumpkin recipes these substitutes for pumpkin pie spice can be used in:
- Pumpkin Dump Cake
- Pumpkin Bread With Cream Cheese
- Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars
- Pumpkin Pie Bites
It would also make a great substitution in my popular carrot cake jam recipe!
Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitutes
If you find yourself without pumpkin pie spice on hand, don’t worry! There are plenty of easy substitutes using spices you likely already have in your pantry. Whether you’re baking a pumpkin pie or making a batch of seasonal cookies, here are some simple ways to replace pumpkin pie spice.
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
The easiest substitute for store-bought pumpkin pie spice is making your own blend. If you have cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice in your pantry, you’re set! Here’s a simple recipe to whip up a batch of homemade pumpkin pie spice:
- 3 tablespoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1.5 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
Mix these spices together and store them in an airtight container for future use. This blend will give you the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and earthy flavors for any recipe calling for pumpkin pie spice.
- Substitution Ratio: Use an equal amount of homemade pumpkin pie spice in place of the store bought mix.
Apple Pie Spice
If you have apple pie spice on hand, it makes a great substitute for pumpkin pie spice. Apple pie spice contains similar ingredients although the proportions may be different. It tends to have more cinnamon and less of the other spices, but it works well in most fall-inspired dishes. Here’s a list of Apple Pie Spice Substitute.
- Substitution Ratio: Use an equal amount of apple pie spice in place of pumpkin pie spice.
Cinnamon + Nutmeg + Ginger
If you don’t have all of the individual spices from the traditional blend, a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger will still work wonderfully as a pumpkin pie spice substitute. These three spices capture the core flavors, and while cloves and allspice add depth, you won’t miss them too much in most recipes.
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- Substitution Ratio: For every 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, use ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon ginger.
Cinnamon + Nutmeg
For a quick and easy substitute when you’re short on ingredients, you can simply use cinnamon and nutmeg. This combination brings warmth and sweetness to your baked goods and is great for recipes where a milder spice profile is acceptable.
- Substitution Ratio: Use ¾ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg for every 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.
Cinnamon + Allspice
Allspice on its own is often compared to pumpkin pie spice due to its mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove-like flavors. Paired with cinnamon, it becomes a great alternative.
- Substitution Ratio: Use ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ½ teaspoon allspice for each teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.
Chai Spice Blend
Chai spice, often used in Indian tea and desserts, contains many of the same spices as pumpkin pie spice, such as cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and allspice. The addition of cardamom in chai spice adds a floral, slightly sweet note, making it a fun and flavorful twist on the classic pumpkin pie spice.
- Substitution Ratio: Use an equal amount of chai spice in place of pumpkin pie spice.
Gingerbread Spice
Gingerbread spice, commonly used in holiday baking, is another close substitute for pumpkin pie spice. It contains cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, providing a similar depth of flavor, though it may lean slightly spicier due to the higher concentration of ginger.
- Substitution Ratio: Use an equal amount of gingerbread spice as a replacement for pumpkin pie spice.
Only Cinnamon
If you’re really in a pinch and don’t have any of the other spices on hand, you can use cinnamon as a last resort. While it won’t provide the complexity of a full spice blend, cinnamon is the backbone of pumpkin pie spice and will still give your recipe a hint of warmth and sweetness.
- Substitution Ratio: Use 1 teaspoon of cinnamon for every 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.
FAQs
You can, but your dish may lack the warm, spiced flavor that pumpkin pie spice provides. It’s best to substitute with a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
Apple pie spice, chai spice, and gingerbread spice are good store-bought alternatives that can be used in place of pumpkin pie spice.
Yep. No substitution is required. Just leave it out all together.
These easy pumpkin pie spice substitutes will ensure your autumn baking goes off without a hitch!
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice (Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitutes)
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1½ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp ground allspice (*Note 1)
Instructions
- Add all the spices to a small bowl and mix to combine. Store in an air-tight container or plastic bag.