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!
This is so useful; pumpkin pie spice is always so expensive at the store!
I was thinking the exact same thing! I paid 7 bucks for the tiniest bottle of pumpkin pie spice and was so frustrated! I feel like, I love trying new recipes, but spend so much on “extra” ingredients that I don’t have have on hand ~ that I don’t end up actually saving $$ by cooking at home. This is SO useful. Thanks Angela. (and easy!!!)
I can’t believe how easy this pumpkin pie spice is to make! & cheap!! Can’t wait to make this and use it, oh well, everything :) Thank you so much for sharing, Angela!
Why have I never thought to make my own mix?! Gah! Looking forward to the recipe!
No cardamom on the list? It’s heavenly in pumpkin pie.
Feel free to tweak it as you see fit! This is Lisa and Nicole’s fav version, but by all means create your own.
I like the way you think!
Hi can you please give a recommendation for how much cardamon to use? I don’t know how strong this is and don’t want it to overpower the other spices.
I like cardamom and also want to know how much to add to the pumpkin pie spice recipe. My mom had mace in pumpkin pie and I really liked that.
Will try this also. Thank you for the amounts. I was just guessing- like grandma a little of this and that
This is what I need, in England I can’t find pumpkin pie spice mix in any shop, thank you for this !
Outside of U.S. this is often called ‘mixed spice’, since it doesn’t have the strong association to a particular dish.
I can’t wait to give this a try!
Can I use ground nutmeg instead of fresh? If so, would I have to use less than a tsp?
That’s what I used… You’d still use a tsp!
Glad that worked out Sonya!
I tend to think that ground nutmeg is a bit stronger (and more compact) than freshly grated stuff. I would probably start with half the amount and then taste and adjust from there!
Can’t wait to make my own spice mix! Also, I think I heard allspice is a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves; is that true?
I think that’s “mixed spice”.
Allspice is not a mixture, it’s from a pimenta berry.
I’m actually on the fence about making my own chai spice. My husband is Indian so I’ve had some great chai when his family gets together. No tea seems to measure up and his cousin has a homemade chai masala that she adds in her black tea and it is PERFECT. I bought some at an Indian store and it’s not the same and definitely not as fresh so now I think I may have to whip up some of my own. Maybe this is a sign…. :)
Creeper me just read your blog post and actually thought of you while reading this one! LOL! Definitely post the recipe for the chai masala if you get it right!
The inner child in me had so much fun styling the first jar shot for this post. I was definitely a sucker for sand art growing up. Also, this pumpkin pie spice is totally on point! Love that I have a big jar of it ready to go now! :)
Yes! I love seasonal spices…especially right now, when the weather is cooling…I go through so much cinnamon, whole nutmegs, cloves, ginger….everything! I may have to whip up a batch of this to try it, as I am usually a believer in blending my spices to my tastes on the particular day. Thanks for the great idea :)
Is it super sad and naive of me to wish that there were more to this mix? Some bit of magic mixed in that cannot be created with simple spices??
Bailey |One Thousand Joys
pepper for a little black magic, perhaps? lol
Hey! I am about to order the cookbook and I am wondering if the quantities are also indicated for international ? Thanks!!
Hi Julia, I’m sorry it doesn’t!
Thanks so much for this post it’s just what I need to be encouraged to make my own spice mix and also take control of my spice drawer, which is chaotic at the moment! :)
This looks and sounds absolutely delicious. Great photos too, you definitely know how to make people hungry!
Charlotte xx
http://www.smudgeness.co.uk
This is such a cute idea and perfect for a present. I am definitely going to give this a go.
Beth x
www.hellobeth.co.uk
I’d love to make these for family and friends! Where did you get the spice jars to fill up?
I think they are from Crate and Barrel :)
Strange that you weren’t able to find pumpkin pie spice mix! But yes, it’s a very easy thing to mix up. I love to grind up my own cloves. They smell so delicious! Grinding coffee beans in the grinder after cloves is always a good idea :)
Ok, you’ve just added yet another cookbook to my Christmas wish list this year!! :) I totally hear you on the frustration of not being able to find pumpkin pie spice mix.. and when I do, it costs SO much for the tiniest little jar! I’m all for DIY and saving $$ so I’ll be making Lisa and Nicole’s version in a large batch for sure!
Mace is a necessary ingredient to be happiest – it adds something special. It’s actually the whole reason I keep Mace around my kitchen. (It’s part of the same plant as nutmeg – not anything like the concept of “mace the weapon”)
Ah yes, I have been meaning to try that! Will pick some up :)