Homemade Apple Pie Spice – a simple blend of autumnal spices! Mix together to create a delicious and fragrant fall spice blend that you’ll be reaching for all season long! Use this apple pie spice in a variety of delectable apple desserts including pies, breads, crumbles, cookies, smoothies and more.
Tis the season!…..No not that holiday season – apple season!
I feel like everyone around is going full on with the pumpkin recipes, which I totally love-bring on the pumpkin pies! But right now I just want to appreciate the slow onset of autumn in all its apple filled glory.
How to Make a Homemade Apple Pie Spice Blend
This is an incredibly simple recipe that is easy to make. All you need to do is combine this simple blend of spices together in a small bowl or jar and whisk together until fully combined then store in an airtight container.
I based this apple spice blend off of the McCormick apple pie spice (much like my pumpkin pie spice recipe). While you can certainly buy a jar of this pre made at your local grocery store- it’s easy enough to make in a pinch with common spices that you likely already have in your very own spice cabinet.
Ingredients
- Cinnamon – Ground cinnamon makes up the foundation of this recipe. Altogether this blend is essentially a combination of cinnamon mixed with a few warm spices. The sweet, woody notes of cinnamon really amp up the cozy fall flavors.
- Nutmeg – Ground nutmeg is warm and slightly nutty spice. It’s one often found in seasonal baked goods because of its warming notes.
- Ginger – Ground ginger is my addition to this homemade apple pie spice recipe. It’s not listed in McCormicks spice blend, but I think it should be. It’s sweet and spicy with mild hints of citrus and it pairs wonderfully with all things apple. It just such a great addition to include when making your own apple pie spice mix!
- Allspice – Despite the name, allspice isn’t a blend of spice, but one single spice. It gets its name from the fact that it tastes like a combination of several different spices (nutmeg, pepper, cloves and cinnamon). In this recipe, a little goes a long way.
- Optional Additions* – Feel free to add or subtract spices to suit your own personal preferences! Ground cardamon, ground cloves and star anise are spices that I’ve seen pop up in homemade spice blends.
How to Use Apple Pie Spice?
Though this is in fact an apple pie spice, you can put this on just about anything. You don’t need to include actual apples in your recipe to use this spice. Get creative and go crazy! A few recipes ideas to get you started:
- Use in apple turnovers
- Use in place of cinnamon in these cinnamon-sugar roasted pepitas.
- Mix in to pancake batter, waffle batter or french toast
- Add a few teaspoons to homemade applesauce
- Mix in to a bowl of oatmeal or chia pudding.
- Add a pinch to a hot coffee or smoothie
- Sprinkle over baked sweet potatoes or mixed into a sweet potato casserole
- Instead of cinnamon – add this in apple crisp and crumbles
Apple Apple Spice to These Recipes
Storage
Ground spices have quite a long shelf life. You might find an expiration date somewhere on your spice jar when you first buy them, but likely not. As a rule of thumb, replace ground spices every four years (at the very least). Replace every 6-12 months for more potent flavour.
Since this is a fairly seasonal recipe, I recommend you whip a fresh jar of apple pie spice each year.
Store your whisked spice in an airtight container and keep out of direct sunlight.
Enjoy!
More Homemade Spice Blends
DIY Apple Pie Spice
DIY Apple Pie Spice - a simple blend of autumnal spices! Mix together to create a delicious and fragrant fall spice blend that you'll be reaching for all season long! Use this apple pie spice in pies, breads, crumbles, cookies, smoothies and more.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine all of your spices and stir together well until everything is combined evenly.
- Keep stored in an airtight container out of direct sunlight and enjoy. Use anywhere you might use cinnamon.
Notes
- This will technically last you many years without going off, but I recommend making a fresh jar every fall season for the most flavour spice.
Bethany says
These pictures are great. Spices are so pretty. 🙂 And the spice mix sounds yummy.
Sarah says
Thanks, Bethany! I love fall spices – they smell so amazing and they get me in the holiday spirit 🙂
Gabriel @ The Dinner Special podcast says
I never thought of making a batch of this to keep in the pantry, that’s such a good idea Sarah! Especially, as you said, everything this time of year includes such a blend. It really isn’t summer anymore is it…
Sarah says
You can say that again – I think summer left us early this year, but to be honest I don’t mind too much because now it gives me more of an excuse to bake apple pie related things haha