Homemade Pumpkin Spice Recipe

This homemade pumpkin spice recipe takes just five minutes to make, and adds a hint of autumn to everything from pumpkin pies and cookies to dips, caramels, and simmer pots. Learn how to make pumpkin spice with this easy recipe!

Why Make This Homemade Pumpkin Spice Recipe?

After many years of bouncing between life in the UK and life in the US, I’m now the proud owner of a solid arsenal of recipes and workarounds for ingredients which aren’t readily available on both sides of the pond. For example, when I’m in the US I make my own mixed spice blend for baking British classics like bara brith, mince pies, and Christmas puddings.  And when I’m in the UK, I mix up this homemade pumpkin spice.

While “pumpkin spice season” has slowly crept into UK culture in recent years, this seasonal spice isn’t nearly as ubiquitous as it is in America. (Ie: You’ll find the occasional pumpkin spice latte in a coffee shop, but it hasn’t invaded everything from cat litter to mac and cheese!) And because it’s less common in British culture, you also won’t find find commerical pumpkin spice blends for sale in the supermarket.

The lack of pumpkin spice presents a challenge for American expats, as well as British bakers trying their hand at seasonal American recipes like pumpkin pie. And while you can sometimes purchase imported pumpkin spice online or at a specialty market like Partridges, it’s actually very easy to learn how to make pumpkin spice at home.

In addition to accessibility and cost savings (store-bought blends can be pricey!) making your own pumpkin spice allows more more control over the flavor, since you can adjust the spice ratios to suit your personal taste preferences. Stir homemade pumpkin spice into a cup of coffee, add it to oatmeal or yogurt, blend it into smoothies, or bake it into muffins or cookies for an instant hit of fall flavor.

Pumpkin Spice Recipe Ingredients

To make this homemade pumpkin spice blend recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Ground Cinnamon – Because I often use cinnamon in large quantities (looking at you, cinnamon ornaments…) I prefer to buy bulk ground cinnamon from Amazon. You can also find large bags in the international aisle at most supermarkets.
• Ground Ginger – Slightly more mellow than its fresh and candied counterparts, ground ginger represents a key component in pumpkin spice, as well as in seasonal baking recipes like my ginger snaps and ginger chai cookies. (Side note: save the extra ginger to make a Christmas gingerbread house!)
• Ground Nutmeg – Ground nutmeg is a warm, slightly nutty spice made from the dried seed of the nutmeg tree. While you can purchase whole nutmeg, I haven’t tested this recipe with the freshly ground stuff, so stick with pre-ground nutmeg.

• Ground Cloves – I always keep both whole and ground cloves in my kitchen cabinet. The whole spice works best for simmer pots and Indian recipes, but I turn to ground cloves for baking and homemade spice blends.
• Ground Allspice – Allspice features a warm, complex flavor reminiscent of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. You’ll find allspice in both sweet and savory dishes. I haven’t tested this pumpkin spice recipe with freshly ground allspice, so opt for store bought ground allspice and save the whole allspice berries for mulled wine instead.
• Ground Cardamom – While not a standard ingredient in pumpkin spice blends, I love the warm, spicy notes ground cardamom adds to the mix. (As a bonus, you can use the rest to make cardamom buns or a batch of my brown sugar palmiers with cardamom and orange!)

How to Make Pumpkin Spice

It only takes five minutes to make your own pumpkin spice blend, and it couldn’t be easier.

Just whisk all of the ingredients together in a bowl. That’s it! Use homemade pumpkin spice immediately (see my suggestions below), or store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

Tips and Tricks for Making Homemade Pumpkin Spice

• Adjust the proportions. You can tweak the spice quantities as desired to suit your personal taste preferences.
• Make a big batch. This pumpkin spice recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled.
• Give it away. Homemade pumpkin spice mix makes a lovely gift for baking enthusiasts! I suggest packaging it in pretty glass jars, decorated with your own personalized labels or homemade stickers.
• Keep it fresh. To keep your homemade spice blend fresh, invest in glass spice jars or airtight storage containers.
• Use good spices. Ground spices lose their potency over time, so while those ancient jars at the back of the cabinet may still be safe to use, they won’t add the same depth and complexity to your baking. For best results, purchase fresh, good-quality ground spices to make this homemade pumpkin spice recipe.

How to Use Homemade Pumpkin Spice

• Use it in baking recipes. You can make pumpkin pie, of course, but also pumpkin hand pies, chocolate chip pumpkin muffins, pumpkin whoopie pies, or pumpkin cream cheese cookies. You can even try it in pumpkin Rice Krispie treats!
• Spice up dips and sauces. Add pumpkin spice to pumpkin butter or pumpkin dip.
• Enjoy it for breakfast.  Make pumpkin spice smoothies , overnight oats, oatmeal balls, porridge, pancakes, or yogurt.
• Savor the scent. Enjoy the warm autumn notes of pumpkin spice by adding a teaspoon to simmer pots, like my star anise and orange simmer pot.
• Candymaking – Make pumpkin spice caramels, brittles, and toffees.
• Crunchy snacks – Add it to homemade granola and spiced mixed nuts, or use as a popcorn seasoning.
• Beverages – Stir homemade pumpkin spice into a mug of hot chocolate or coffee (I like to add a pinch to my coffee grounds before brewing) or use it in hot buttered brandy in lieu of individual spices.
• Savory sides – Sprinkle pumpkin spice over roasted sweet potatoes or roasted butternut squash.

Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions

Store homemade pumpkin spice in an airtight container at room temperature (a cool, dark place works best) for up to 6 months, and possibly even longer! This spice blend won’t spoil, but it will lose its potency over time.

Other pumpkin spice recipes you might enjoy:

Pumpkin Hand Pies
Spiced Pumpkin Butter
Pumpkin Oatmeal Balls
Pumpkin Spice Caramels

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!

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