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Learn how to make your own DIY pumpkin spice blend that is perfect for any autumn recipe! It's rich in flavour, only requires a few minutes to prepare, and is made of just 5 simple spices.
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There's nothing like the smell of pumpkin spice mingling with crisp autumn air. The rich warming blend has basically become the official flavour of fall. No longer only used for pumpkin pie, it's now an autumn staple for spicing up everything from lattes to cookies, muffins, and bread.
However, it can be difficult to find a clean and flavourful pumpkin spice blend on the market these days. Since it's become all the rage, many are filled with added sugars, preservatives and anti-caking agents.
Once I started making pumpkin pie spice at home, I quickly realized how much more flavourful it is. Plus, it's so simple and takes no time at all that I would never go back to store-bought.
What is In Pumpkin Spice Seasoning?
Traditional pumpkin spice is a simple blend of 5 warming spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice and ginger.
Is Pumpkin Spice Healthy?
When made with real spices, such as this homemade blend, pumpkin spice is rich in beneficial properties that can support digestion and immune function.
Health Benefits
Digestive-aid. Cloves, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger are all carminative herbs that can help to soothe the gastrointestinal tract, reduce inflammation, gas and bloating.
Antioxidant-rich. Cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg are rich in polyphenols and flavonoids, among other antioxidant compounds, while cloves and allspice are rich in eugenol.
Immune-supporting. Each spice in this blend contains antimicrobial properties that can support the body's natural defence mechanisms.
Anti-inflammatory. Eugenol and the many different flavonoids present in this spice blend can be beneficial for reducing inflammation.
Seasonal Benefits
Autumn is, of course, pumpkin spice season! The change of seasons is an ideal time to reap the immune-supporting, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It's also a great time to support the body with warming spices and foods.
Winter is also a great season to keep the body warm with this spice blend, while reaping the carminative properties to aid in digestion during the months when we typically eat heavier and heartier meals.
How to Make Homemade Pumpkin Spice
Making homemade pumpkin spice is incredibly easy. All you need is 5 spices and a few minutes of time.
What You Will Need
Equipment
- Bowl to mix the spices in.
- Spoon to stir the spices together.
- Airtight glass jar for storing the spice blend.
Ingredients
- Cinnamon adds a warm, earthy sweetness that is the predominant flavour in this blend.
- Nutmeg offers slightly nutty notes mixed a warm earthiness.
- Cloves provide substantial warmth and a mild bitterness that complements and balances the sweetness of cinnamon.
- Allspice is full of warmth and sweetness with spicy undertones that complement the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger.
- Ginger adds a peppery warmth with citrusy undertones that balance out the earthiness of the spices.
Step 1: Measure Ingredients
Measure out the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice and ginger into a bowl.
Step 2: Mix
Stir the spices together until they are well combined.
My Top Tips
- Store in a glass jar with an airtight lid to best preserve the freshness and flavour.
- Check the expiration date of the individual spices to ensure they are fresh so you can get the longest shelf life out of your DIY pumpkin spice blend.
- Use pure, organic spices to avoid any additives, fillers or irradiated ingredients.
Substitutions & Variations
Add more or less of any of the spices to adjust the flavour to your liking.
Add a dash of black pepper to deepen the warmth and enhance the depth of flavours in your pumpkin spice blend.
How to Store Homemade Pumpkin Spice
To store your DIY pumpkin spice, keep it in an airtight container and place it in a cool and dry place. I find that storing it in a glass container offers the freshest flavour, as plastic can leach undesirable flavours as well as toxins.
How Long Does Homemade Pumpkin Spice Last?
Homemade pumpkin spice can last up to 2 - 3 years. To ensure a long shelf life, make sure to use fresh spices when making the blend. You can do this by checking the expiration date on the individual spices used.
Another way to preserve the freshness is to store your DIY spice blend in an airtight glass jar and keep it in a cool, dry place. I also find it helpful to label the jar with the date it was made.
If you find the spice blend has a dull colour, smell and flavour, it may be past its prime.
Ways to Use DIY Pumpkin Spice
You can use your DIY spice blend in any recipe that calls for pumpkin spice or pumpkin pie spice. It makes delicious homemade pumpkin spice lattes, cookies, muffins, bread, oatmeal, overnight oats, granola, and of course, pumpkin pie!
Recipe Highlights
Warming. This blend of spices offers warming qualities and flavours that are perfect for autumn and winter.
Digestive-aid. Each of the spices in this blend has carminative properties that are soothing to the digestive system.
Immune-supporting. Rich in antinicrobial properties, this spice blend can help to strengthen the body's natural defence mechanisms.
Quick and easy to make. Making your own pumpkin spice blend is practically effortless. You only need a few minutes of time and 5 simple spices.
More Autumn Recipes
If you make this DIY pumpkin spice blend, let me know how it was by leaving a comment and rating below. And make sure you're following along on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Flipboard for more wildly nutritious recipes!
DIY Pumpkin Spice Blend
Print RecipeIngredients
- 3 tablespoon Ground Cinnamon
- 2 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cloves
- 1 teaspoon Allspice
Instructions
- Measure out the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice and ginger into a bowl.
- Stir the spices together until they are well combined.Use as called for in your favourite pumpkin spice recipes.
Lucia says
I love the way you added the health benefits of each spice! Makes having a pumpkin spice latte feel like a health conscious choice!
Michelle McCowan says
I'm so to hear! Haha it can be depending on how you make it! Check out this caffeine-free pumpkin spice latte, it is delicious 🙂
Gina Abernathy says
I love pumpkin spice and may never buy the premade stuff again--I'll make it! Thanks for the recipe.
Michelle McCowan says
Same! One of the best parts of Autumn. And my pleasure! I hope you enjoy 🙂
hari says
this looks absolutely fabulous.
a complete guide on how to prepare pumpkin spice.
thanks for sharing this awesome post!
Michelle McCowan says
Awe thank you so much!! My pleasure, I'm so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Social Media Marketing says
I am extremely inspired together with your writing skills and also with the format for your blog. Is this a paid subject matter or did you modify it your self? Anyway stay up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to peer a great blog like this one these days.
Michelle McCowan says
Wow, thank you so much! I am so pleased to hear you enjoyed it and that it has inspired you! It is by no means a paid subject matter, it's just my outlet for all my passions and desire to inspire others to come home to their wild roots and eat the way nature intended 🙂
Thanks so much for your beautiful and kind words ♡
YtheWait says
I can’t wait to make this!!!!!!!!
Michelle McCowan says
Yay!! Hope you enjoy 🙂