The Best Homemade Apple Pie Spice
One of the things I love about fall is all of the warm, cosy spices that start making their way into everything. My all-time favorite has to be apple pie spice. I love the way it smells, and it just makes everything taste a little bit better.
If you’ve never made your own spice blend before, don’t worry! It’s super easy, and you probably have all of the ingredients you need already. The best part is, you can adjust the amounts to suit your own taste. So if you like things a little more cinnamon-y or a little less nutmeg-y, you can make it just the way you like it.
So here we go: Let’s learn how to make a DIY apple spice blend.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quality Control: By making it yourself, you ensure the best quality ingredients are used.
- Customizable: Tailor the spice mix to your preferred taste for a personalized apple pie.
- Versatile: Not just for pies, this spice blend can enhance any apple-based dish.
Ingredients for Homemade Apple Pie Spice Recipe
- Ground Cinnamon: The primary spice that gives a warm, sweet flavor, making it the backbone of apple pie spice.
- Ground Nutmeg: Adds a rich, nutty and slightly sweet taste, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Ground Allspice: Introduces depth with its combination of flavors reminiscent of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Ground Ginger: Provides a zingy, spicy note that balances the sweetness of the other spices.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is the star of the show here. It’s what gives apple pie spice its characteristic flavor and aroma. You can use ground cinnamon or cinnamon sticks; I usually go for the ground cinnamon because it’s easier to measure out, but either one will work.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is another key ingredient in apple pie spice. It has a warm, slightly sweet flavor that goes well with cinnamon. You can use ground nutmeg or freshly grated nutmeg; I prefer the ground nutmeg because it’s easier to measure, but either one will work.
Allspice
Allspice is a spice made from the dried berries of the allspice tree. It has a sweet, warm flavor that’s similar to cloves. You can use ground allspice or whole allspice berries; I prefer ground allspice because it’s easier to measure, but either one will work.
Ginger
Ginger is the last ingredient in apple pie spice. It has a warm, slightly spicy flavor that goes well with the other spices. You can use ground ginger or freshly grated ginger; I prefer ground ginger because it’s easier to measure, but either one will work.
How to Make DIY Apple Pie Spice Mix?
Now that we know what ingredients go into apple pie spice, let’s talk about how to make it. The great thing about making your own spice blend is that you can adjust the proportions to suit your own taste. So if you like things a little more cinnamon-y or a little less nutmeg-y, you can make it just the way you like it.
To make apple pie spice, simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and stir until they’re evenly mixed. That’s it!
How to Store Your Apple Spice Mix?
Once you’ve made your apple spice mix, you’ll need to store it in an airtight container. I like to use a glass jar with a lid, but you can use whatever you have on hand. Just make sure it’s airtight so the spices don’t lose their flavor.
This homemade spice blend can last for around 10-12 months in the spice cabinet or pantry and it’s always good to have an apple pie spice blend or apple pie spice substitute on hand when baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Apple Pie Spice?
Apple pie spice is a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger. You can find it pre-made in the spice aisle of most grocery stores, but it’s so easy to make at home, and you can customize the flavor however you like.
Is Homemade Apple Spice Blend Cheaper Than Shop Bought Apple Spice?
Yes, making your own spice blend is definitely cheaper than buying it at the store. A small bottle of pre-made apple pie spice can cost around $4, while the ingredients to make it at home cost less than $1. So not only is it more economical to make your own, but you also get to customize the flavor however you like.
Apple Spice Nutrition Facts
If you want nutrition information about Apple spice then look no further. Here’s the nutritional rundown per tablespoon:
Calories: 20
Fat: 0g
Sodium: 0mg
Carbohydrates: 5g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 0g
Protein: 0g
As you can see, there are no real health benefits to apple spice. It is however, a great way to add flavor to your baking without adding any calories.
So there you have it! Now you know how to make your own apple pie spice blend at home. Give it a try the next time you’re baking an apple pie or other fall dessert. I think you’ll be surprised at how much better it tastes than the store-bought stuff.
How Much Apple Spice Should You Use?
The amount of apple spice you use will depend on your personal taste. I usually start with 1 teaspoon and go from there. If you’re using it in a recipe that calls for a pre-made spice blend, you can use it measure for measure.
Can You Make Bulk Apple Spice Blend?
Yes, you can easily make a larger batch of this homemade spice blend. Simply double or triple the recipe as needed.
What’s the Difference Between Apple Pie Spice and Pumpkin Pie Spice?
Pumpkin pie spice is very similar to apple pie spice, but it has a few key differences. Pumpkin pie spice typically contains cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. The proportions of these spices vary depending on the recipe, but they’re generally pretty similar to the proportions in apple pie spice.
The main difference is that pumpkin spice usually doesn’t contain allspice, and it sometimes contains cardamom. Both homemade spice blends are super useful during the fall season and go very well in many baked goods.
How to Use Apple Pie Spice?
Now that we know how to make apple pie spice, let’s talk about how to use it. This spice blend is perfect for all kinds of fall baking, including pies, cakes, cookies, and quick breads.
So grab some apple pie spice from the spice container and try it in one of the following:
Apple pie spice with French Toast
Apple pie spice with Overnight Oats
Apple pie spice with Oatmeal
Apple pie spice on Baked Apples with Maple syrup and pecans
Apple pie spice pancakes
Apple pie spice bagels
Apple pue spice with roasted sweet potatoes
Apple pie spice with butternut squash soup
Kerry Apple Cake
The possibilities are endless! Just get creative and see what you can come up with.
The Best Homemade Apple Pie Spice
Easy Homemade Apple Pie Spice
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon Ground Nutmeg
- 2 Teaspoons Ground Allspice
- 1 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
Instructions
To make apple pie spice, simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and stir until they're evenly mixed.
Once you've made your apple spice mix, you'll need to store it in an airtight container
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 12Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 1gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
Make Apple Spice as a Gift
Now that you know how to make your own apple pie spice, put it to good use and why not make some gift jars to gift to your friends and family. I’m sure they will find the spice mix useful.
Apple Pie Spice Recipes
If you love spices such as ground allspice, ground cardamom, ground cloves, nutmeg or cinnamon then you’re most likely going to love this amazingly simple recipe blend. Grab the ingredient list and be sure to get the spices you’ll need next time you’re in your local store.
Do you have a favorite recipe that uses apple pie spice? Share it in the comments below! And if you’re looking for more fall baking inspiration, check out these recipes:
