For the past couple seasons, I’ve been on the hunt for pumpkin pie spice mix. And I’ve been slowly going crazy not being able to locate it in any local grocery stores. Don’t they know how many they would sell from me alone?! I longed for the day I would cross paths with it, making a mental note to buy 10 if I ever did. Only that day never came and I went about my life smiling on the outside, but secretly feeling like a piece of me was missing. Until that beloved day when a recipe just fell into my lap!
I feel like fellow bloggers and cookbook authors, Nicole Axworthy and Lisa Pitman, get me. They know that vegan staples aren’t always offered in grocery stores (yes, I just called pumpkin spice mix a “vegan staple”…let’s go with it), and sometimes we want or need to make things in our own kitchen. In their new book, DIY Vegan, you’ll find more than 100 vegan recipes showing home cooks just how easy it is to create knock-offs of common store-bought staples, only without the sometimes scary ingredient lists. For the most part, I try to limit the amount of prepared foods that I purchase due to the unpronounceable ingredients many contain. And really, these foods don’t always leave me feeling my best. Yes, more and more brands are coming out with simple, whole-foods ingredient lists (hooray), but sometimes these brands aren’t accessible or they’re just plain old expensive. So, I enjoy making my own staples when time allows; especially if I can make a huge batch and store it for several months, like with this pumpkin pie spice mix. Major kitchen win!
As Nicole and Lisa say, "Seriously, are you going to pay extra for someone else to stir your spices? We didn’t think so. Make your own in seconds, make some for your friends, start a business selling your own spice-stirring services. And then eat pie."
In DIY Vegan, you’ll find vegan recipes like Buttermilk, Cashew Coffee Creamer, Simple Sour Cream, Coconut Yogurt, Cultured Nut Cheese, Whole-Grain and Seed bread, Cheesy Crackers, Taco Seasoning, Spelt Pizza Dough, and many more. I went straight for the Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix of course, and after falling in love I made a triple batch to keep on hand. It’s just so easy and flavourful, and now I never have to go without. If you noticed that super cute jar at the top of this post, you’ll see that it also makes a fun gift for the pumpkin pie spice mix lover in your life. Just place the spices into a tiny jar (you can layer it for fun), add some baker’s twine, and loop on a homemade tag. Wouldn’t this be a cute idea for a housewarming gift or a party favour? Or maybe I’m just weird. Rest assured, if you ever brought me this I would light up like a Christmas tree.
Coming up soon, I’ll be sharing a baked good that I created using this very pumpkin pie spice mix. You don’t want to miss this one, folks. It’s the seasonal baked good I promise you’ll want to whip up all season long. So go on and make this spice mix then meet me back here for Part 2! Deal?
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Yield
2 1/2 tablespoons
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
Use this pumpkin pie spice mix in cakes, cookies, bars, oatmeal, smoothies, lattes, chia seed pudding, and more! I like to keep a large batch of it on hand and I find myself using it in just about everything. This recipe is reprinted with permission from DIY Vegan. Copyright © 2015 Nicole Axworthy and Lisa Pitman. Published by St. Martin's Griffin.
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (I pack it in the teaspoon)
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Directions
- Combine all the ingredients in an airtight container or jar. Attach lid and shake to combine. Store at room temperature for up to 6 months. Shake jar before each use.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Photography credit: Ashley McLaughlin Photography
A big congrats to Nicole and Lisa on this beautiful cookbook, and for allowing me to share this recipe with you today! DIY Vegan is hot off the press this Tuesday, October 27th so be sure to check it out online and in bookstores!
I’m not really a fan of pumpkin spice. Can you tell me the health benefits we can get from it?
When I am substituting the pumpkin pie spice instead of the ingredients individually how much pumpkin pie spice do I use???
Just made these muffins using whole wheat pastry flour (which I always use instead of white). Also used a tsp of ground ginger, a tsp of cinnamon, a pinch nutmeg and pinch allspice. I used less sweetener (molasses and brown sugar).They are really good and I’ll probably have to restrain myself from eating too many right out of the oven.
This is good idea. I’ve been making my own for each recipe fresh.
One time, a long long time ago – I ate a piece of sweet potato pie that had the traditional flavor, but the combination and ratio of spices were the best flavor I had ever had, I mean EVER. Many times the pies too brown with spices, this one was not. And many times I find the flavor overwhelming to the filling. But mostly the clove flavor predominates. Getting that perfect and amazing combination of spices is my goal. Just sayin….. That particular sweet potato pie haunts my taste buds, calling me back to it.
I couldnt helped bt try your pumpkin spice mix immediately and best of all I had all the ingredients on hand. Im hooked! I refuse to have my apple bannana green smoothie without it. Thanks a million
This looks delicious. If you are ever out and looking to buy some again, bulk barn sells it (IN BULK- so you can buy as much as you want!)
Thanks for the post
So good to,have the spice explained! It seems to be taken for granted in America but in Ireland….it is a case of looking this up and then we get to enjoy world foods too. I love to eat me us from different countries and often play the music to match too!
The ad I saw you on said there was a slimming drink but when you clicked on it it had all these recipes but nothing about the slimming drink. Was that a trick just for folks to see your website? I won’t sign up for it until I can get the information on the slimming drink.
This Pumpkin Pie Spice mix looks amazing. I have got to try it!! I love your blog, so many excellent, healthy recipes !!
Aw, you’re too sweet Colleen, thank you! It’s wonderful to hear how much you enjoy my blog. If you try the spice mix, I hope you love it!
I love this! I got addicted to Pumpkin Spice whilst working in the states then couldn’t find it over here! Now its going in everything…
Love this!!! I’m having a fall wedding…this would make great wedding favors!!!
Do we have to put allspice? Because allspice only contains nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves?
Hey there, Allspice, to my knowledge, is an unripe berry from a tropical tree. You might be thinking of “allspice substitute recipes” which some suggest using cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves if you don’t have allspice on hand?
Allspice is a spice of its own
Cannot believe the concern over whether to use the homemade or store-bought. The homemade is much better as you can control the various spices to get your favorite flavor…and do not have to worry about unknown additives to your food!
A big THANK TO YOU I love this spice mix as I’m a spice queen and blend my own as I’m an Indian and this pumpkin spice I used in pumpkin curry was absolutely amazing. I wish you were here to eat with routes.??
Hi Angela!
I’m a big fan of spice mixes! So, I just made this mix with freshly ground nutmeg and freshly ground allspice. (I have a hand carved copper spice grinder from Bosnia that I use exclusively for allspice because I love allspice berries so much!)
Can you please direct me to some of your recipes that call for Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix? I’d find that fun. Thx.
From sunny Vancouver Island.
Hey Laurie, You can find some of my recipes that call for pumpkin pie spice here: https://goo.gl/2Sj61J Hope this helps!
Hi, it would be any difference if I’d use freshly grated cinnamon instead of already grounded cinnamon?
B
Hi Angela! I am taking a course and choosing to write about veganism, so I hope you do not mind if I use your blog space to post an assignment. Thank you for all the amazing recipes!
Did you know that pies were not invented in the United States and they were not always sweet? Ancient Egypt actually gets the credit for bringing pies around! In medieval Europe, pies were incredibly popular as well, and were filled with all types of savory ingredients as a great way to use up leftovers. However, Americans have really given pies their momentum and made them what they are today.