Apple Pie Spice Recipe: Make it Yourself at Home

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Apple Pie Spice Recipe

Apple Pie Spice Recipe

Bring On The Apples!

Apple season is one of the things that gets me most excited for fall.

Some people can’t wait to steep themselves in pumpkin everything, and that’s all well and good to bring on the fall spirit. But give me pick-your-own apples, fresh pressed apple cider, and warm apple pies, and I am finally content that the cooler weather is headed our way.

Apples go so well with so many things. Pork or winter squash if you’re talking savory, and nearly any other fruit, nut, or flavor combo, if you’re talking sweet.

They are full of so much potential!

When it comes to using apples in the kitchen, particularly in baking, there is one seasoning that you just can’t live without: apple pie spice.

What Is an Apple Pie Spice Recipe?

This apple pie spice recipe is a basic blend of warm spices that perfectly complement each other and add the perfect warm and toasty glow to baked apples.

Traditionally, the blend includes cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, with a heavy hand on the cinnamon.

Some people also like to add some ginger or cloves to their mix. And as cardamom has become more popular, people are starting to add it into their apple pie spice recipe as well.

Apple Pie Spice Recipe Vs. Pumpkin Spice

You might be saying, “Wait, aren’t these the same spices that go into pumpkin pie spice?”

You’re right!

Apple pie spice and pumpkin pie spice are the hinge-pins of fall baking. So what’s the difference between these two spice mixes?

If you’re talking about the traditional, three-ingredient apple pie spice recipe (cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice), then traditional pumpkin pie spice simply adds ginger and cloves to the mix.

But, this is where it gets tricky. Since some people like to throw a little ginger and/or cloves into their apple pie spice, it’s possible for these two spice mixes to be nearly the same!

It really comes down to what makes you think of apple pie or pumpkin pie. If you like cloves with your apples, add some into your apple pie spice recipe. If you don’t like ginger with your pumpkin, then feel free to leave it out. And if you love cardamom, go ahead and add a pinch.

After all, the goal of these spice mixes is to find the scent and flavor that makes you think of a beautiful, crisp fall day.

DIY Apple Pie Spice Recipe

There’s really no need to buy pre-packaged apple pie spice, because you most likely have everything you already need in your pantry.

You can make the spice mix up a teaspoon at a time, or make a bigger batch and store it in a glass jar. (I’ve given you both a small and large batch recipe below, so you don’t have to worry about the math.)

How To Use Your Apple Pie Spice

Sure, you can use apple pie spice in apple pie, but there are so many other tasty uses for it beyond pie too!

  • Bake it into apple cakes, crisps, or muffins.
  • Spice up your cinnamon rolls.
  • Mix it in applesauce.
  • Add it to fresh whipped cream.
  • Stir it in oatmeal.
  • Use it to make candied nuts.
  • Blend it in smoothies.
  • Sprinkle it over popcorn.
  • Flavor your morning pancakes, waffles, or French toast.

Homemade Apple Pie Spice Recipe

For a small batch

For a larger batch

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, making sure there are no lumps.
  2. Transfer to a glass spice jar and store the spice mix in your pantry.

How do you like to use apple pie spice? Share with us in the comments!

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Avatar photo

About Sarah Ozimek

Sarah is a writer, recipe developer, traveler, gardener, and lover of (almost) all things outdoors. Together with her husband Tim, she writes the blog Curious Cuisiniere where they explore world cuisines and cooking using real ingredients and tried and true methods, the way our ancestors have done for ages. Connect with Sarah on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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Comments

  1. Avatar photoCindy says

    How much ginger and cloves would you add to this if I wanted to us this recipe for both apple and pumpkin pies?? Thank you!!!
    Cindy

    • Avatar photoSarah Ozimek says

      Hi Cindy! I would add ginger in the same amount as nutmeg, and cloves in the same amount as allspice (or a little less). So, to the “small batch” recipe above, I would add 1/4 tsp ginger and 1/16-1/8 tsp cloves. Enjoy!

  2. Avatar photoSHARON PYLES says

    I’ll be sprinkling this on not only oatmeal, but in my fried apples, & of course from scratch APPLE PIE!!!!