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    Home » Meal Type » Seasoning Blends » Substitute Pumpkin Pie Spice For Individual Spices

    Substitute Pumpkin Pie Spice For Individual Spices

    Published: Oct 20, 2021 . Modified: Jan 12, 2022 by fitmealideas ·

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    Here you will learn how to substitute pumpkin pie spice for individual spices, how to make your own pumpkin spice with just four spices, variations, and how to use it in different recipes in the fall season.

    Just imagine you are about to make waffles or latte or pancakes, and there is no spice blend available. This happened today and I realized how important it is to have a list of BEST substitutes for pumpkin spice to use immediately.

    Also, this is your DIY homemade pumpkin pie spice that you can use anytime in fall recipes especially in fall desserts like pumpkin mousse, overnight pumpkin spice oatmeal & pumpkin spice chia pudding.

    overhead shot of homemade pumpkin pie spice in glass jar.

    The post contains helpful tips and tricks to make a successful recipe on your first attempt. Please use the link above to jump to the recipe card at the end if you want to skip.

    Jump To Recipe
    • What is Pumpkin Pie spice
    • Ingredients & Notes
    • Variations
    • Substitute for individual spices
    • How to make Pumpkin Pie Spice at home
    • FAQ's & Tips
    • How To Store
    • How To Use
    • Recipe

    What is Pumpkin Pie spice

    Have you wondered what is pumpkin spice? Is pumpkin a part of it? Is it dried and mixed with other spices to make pumpkin spice seasoning. Definitely, the pumpkin is not a part of it.

    Pumpkin pie spice (AKA pumpkin spice) is an American spice blend of warm spices mostly used in the fall/winter season with pumpkin puree to create recipes like pumpkin pie, waffles, latte, mousse, pancake, cheesecake, and much more. It is a blend of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. Fall baking is incomplete without it.

    What is in Pumpkin spice

    It is a complex blend of spices, therefore there are many variations available to this. Let see first from different brands (by looking at the labels) what do they include in their pumpkin pie spice:

    • Simply organic- Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves
    • Spice hunter- Cinnamon, ginger, lemon peel, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, star anise, fennel, black pepper
    • McCormick- Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Allspice and Sulfiting Agents
    • Frontier Co-op- Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves for pies, custards and eggnog

    Looking at this we can easily notice that cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, & clove are common ingredients in every brand and are ordered with the quantity that means from largest to smallest.

    Ingredients & Notes

    Please check the recipe card for the full ingredient list and measurements.

    cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove are placed in smal glass bowls on grey board with names.

    Here is my four-ingredient pumpkin pie spice without allspice. It is made with all ingredients that are sitting on your kitchen shelf already. This DIY will result in a little more than 2 tablespoons of pumpkin spice:

    • Cinnamon
    • Ginger
    • Nutmeg
    • Clove

    Variations

    Other variations contain a few other spices combinations like mace, cardamom, black pepper, white pepper, fennel, and allspice.

    If you like a little spicy pumpkin spice blend then do add ¾ teaspoon black pepper + ¼ teaspoon cayenne in this recipe.

    Substitute for individual spices

    If you require an immediate substitute for pumpkin spice use cinnamon. Just replace the quantity of pumpkin spice called for with an equal amount of ground cinnamon.

    There are a few combinations of quick pumpkin spice mix you can create with cinnamon by adding a little quantity of any of the other spices (ginger, nutmeg, clove). The below-mentioned combination goes well when a recipe calls for pumpkin pie spice and you have cinnamon with any one of the other spices.

    If a recipe requires 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, you can substitute with:

    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon + ¼ teaspoon each any of two spice (ginger, nutmeg, or cloves in preference order)
    • ¾ teaspoon cinnamon + ¼ teaspoon any of ginger, cloves, or nutmeg in preference order (as per availability)
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon + ¼ teaspoon any of ginger, cloves, or nutmeg in preference + ¼ teaspoon allspice

    If a recipe calls for individual spices and you have access to pumpkin pie spice then simply adds up the volume (tsp or tbsp) of individual spices and use the pumpkin pie spice for that quantity. It works well.

    No Cinnamon

    Cinnamon is the main ingredient in any of the pumpkin pie spice blends and unfortunately can not be replaced with any other spices. It is a sweet, warming spice with woody and strong flavors. It comes in sticks as well as in powdered form. Grind the sticks to make fresh ground cinnamon to use in the spice blend. Ground cinnamon retains the qualities coming from cinnamon sticks.

    In case you do not have cinnamon and are forced to substitute it anyway, then Allspice, clove, and ginger are the best spices to replace cinnamon in baking.

    1 teaspoon cinnamon can be substituted with ½ teaspoon allspice

    1 teaspoon cinnamon can be replaced with ¼ teaspoon clove+¼ teaspoon ginger

    No Ginger

    Ginger is the second most important component in pumpkin spice. It adds lots of flavors and warmth along with cinnamon. Ginger tastes a bit spicy like black pepper and citrusy with a floral and earthy aroma.

    Allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg are good substitutes in baking. You can also use an equal amount of white pepper and cardamom for the amount of ginger a recipe calls for.

    1 teaspoon allspice is an alternative to 1 teaspoon ginger

    ½ teaspoon cinnamon+ ½ teaspoon nutmeg is an alternative to 1 teaspoon ginger

    No Nutmeg

    Nutmeg comes in the ground and whole spice form. It is a warm, and aromatic spice with a nutty flavor. It is used in sweet and savory dishes. Ground nutmeg also retains the warmth and aroma of whole spice. Allspice, mace, and clove are good substitutes for nutmeg in baking.

    1 teaspoon allspice replaces 1 teaspoon nutmeg

    ¼ teaspoon clove replaces ½ teaspoon nutmeg

    ¼ teaspoon mace replaces ½ teaspoon nutmeg

    For savory dishes, you can use dry coriander in place of it.

    No Clove

    Cloves have a strong and pungent flavor. Once you put it in your mouth you will taste a bit of sweetness, bitterness, and a noticeable amount of heat. Nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice are easy alternatives for clove.

    ½ teaspoon allspice can replace 1 teaspoon clove

    ¼ teaspoon cinnamon + ¼ teaspoon nutmeg can replace ½ teaspoon clove

    Without Allspice

    Allspice is a standalone spice with a similar profile flavor of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. That is why allspice can be replaced with any of them.

    swap 1 teaspoon allspice with ½ teaspoon cinnamon+ ½ teaspoon nutmeg or clove or mace

    How to make Pumpkin Pie Spice at home

    Homemade spice blends are preservatives free and can be made in the desired quantity, which ensures that it does not go to waste. They are just perfect in every sense and easily customizable.

    By making pumpkin spice mix at home, you can always be certain what goes into it. This DIY will show you how to make your own pumpkin seasoning in a few minutes

    Combine ground spices

    Mix all the ground spices in a bowl and combine nicely. Store in an airtight container and store in a cool dark place.

    In left, four ingredients piled up in a white bowl. Right pic, homemade spice mix in a glass jar.

    Homemade, 4 ingredient pumpkin spice is ready to use.

    FAQ's & Tips

    • This spice blend recipe can easily be scaled up like double or triple as per requirement. I quadrupled the recipe to make ½ cup of spice blend.
    • Once all spices are whisked together make sure to sift them through a seive. Clove has a tendency to clump up. Sifting will ensure to remove any clumps, evenly distribution of spices and remove any big particle if at all they are present.
    Can I substitute nutmeg for pumpkin pie spice?

    Yes, nutmeg is a good alternative for pumpkin pie spice. Use an equal amount of nutmeg in a recipe that calls for a spice blend.

    Can I use cinnamon instead of pumpkin pie spice?

    Substitute an equal amount of cinnamon a recipe calls for in place of pumpkin pie spice. It just works perfectly.

    Are pumpkin pie spice and all spice the same?

    Allspice is a standalone ingredient in itself and a part of pumpkin spice blend in some variations.

    Is pumpkin pie spice gluten-free?

    As per spices, normally pumpkin pie spice is gluten-free. However, before buying do check the labels that it is made in a secure facility without any gluten contamination.

    What is pumpkin pie spice made of?

    Typically pumpkin spice is made of four main ingredients cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove. However, some blends or DIYer's calls for mace, cardamom, fennel, and allspice to be added to the main ingredients.

    Can I substitute pumpkin pie spice for apple pie spice?

    You can easily swap both spice blends with each other. Keep in mind that pumpkin spice contains clove and ginger, which is not part of apple pie spice. So the end result will vary.

    How To Store

    Once you have prepared the pumpkin spice blend, transfer it to an airtight, clean, and dry jar and close the lid. Store it at room temperature for up to 6 months easily.

    How To Use

    Pumpkin spice is one of the versatile spice blends and you can use it on anything that contains pumpkin, and butternut squash.

    Fitmealideas shares some healthy, macro-friendly pumpkin spice recipes to enjoy in fall and throughout the winter season for extra warmth. This holiday season enjoys below healthy recipes with your family and enjoys the festivity to the fullest.

    • Pumpkin spice protein waffles
    • Protein pumpkin spice latte
    • Healthy protein pumpkin spice pancakes
    • Healthy pumpkin butter
    • Versatile pumpkin syrup
    close up click of spoonful pumpkin pie spice

    If you try this recipe, please consider leaving a comment and a star rating. Don't forget to tag  #fitmealideas20 on Instagram or @fitmealideas on Pinterest!

    Recipe

    pumpkin pie spice blend is in glass jar, spoonful spice blend is shown closely.

    Homemade DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice, Substitution+Variations

    FitMealIdeas
    4-ingredient homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe without allspice. It is made with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove that are sitting on your kitchen shelf already.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 5 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 7 teaspoon
    Calories 5 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4.5 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon ginger
    • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
    • ¾ teaspoon clove

    Instructions
     

    • Mix all the ground spices in a bowl and combine nicely. Store in an airtight container and store in a cool dark place.
      4.5 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, ¾ teaspoon clove

    Notes

    Tips
    • This spice blend recipe can easily be scaled up like double or triple as per requirement. I quadrupled the recipe to make ½ cup of the spice blend.
    • Once all spices are whisked together make sure to sift them through a sieve. Clove has a tendency to clump up. Sifting will ensure to remove any clumps, evenly distribute spices and remove any big particle if at all they are present.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 5kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 9mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @fitmealideas20 or tag #fitmealideas20. I would LOVE to see your creations!
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