You’re halfway through mixing up a pumpkin pie when it hits you—you’re out of pumpkin pie spice.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to make a store run or give up on dessert.
There are plenty of quick and easy substitutes you can pull together from spices you already have in your pantry, like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
You can even make your own DIY pumpkin spice blend in minutes.
From cinnamon-only swaps to full DIY blends, these pumpkin pie spice substitutes will get your holiday baking back on track fast.
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1. Cinnamon (a quick fix)
This works when you just need warmth.
Use 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for every teaspoon of pumpkin spice.
Your pie will taste less complex but still delicious.
2. Cinnamon + Nutmeg + Ginger (classic trio)
This substitute is the closest to pumpkin spice.
Use this ratio: ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ginger per 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.
Works in pies, cookies, breads and pumpkin scones.
3. Apple Pie Spice
You may already have this blended spice mix in your pantry.
You can use an equal swap a 1 to 1 ratio for a pumpkin pie spice substitute.
Apple pie spice is slightly sweeter but it works well in desserts.
4. Cinnamon + Allspice (or Cloves)
This is one of my favorites, I adore cinnamon and cloves together.
Use ¾ teaspoon cinnamon + ¼ teaspoon allspice or cloves to equal = 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.
5. DIY Mini Blend (from scratch)
If you have multiple spices then mix:
3 parts cinnamon
1 part ginger
1 part nutmeg
½ part cloves or allspice
This one is perfect in everything, including pumpkin bars.
Need recipes for your new pumpkin pie spice swap If you want something beyond pumpkin pie, my rich Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake is always a showstopper.
Wondering if your pumpkin pie is done baking or why your pumpkin pie looks like it has dots?
For Christmas or New Year’s, you can’t go wrong with a soft and spice cake topped with frosting.
If you like making your own blends, try my homemade pumpkin pie spice and see why fresh ground nutmeg makes such a difference. And for toppings, both mascarpone cream and whipped cream that lasts for days are perfect with holiday desserts.
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Recipe
Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute
Out of pumpkin pie spice? Mix up this easy homemade substitute in minutes with cozy pantry staples like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Use it in pies, cookies, muffins, or lattes—anywhere you’d reach for pumpkin pie spice.
Ingredients
- 3 parts ground cinnamon
- 1 part ground ginger
- 1 part ground nutmeg
- ½ part ground cloves or allspice
Instructions
Combine cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves (or allspice) in a small bowl or jar.
Stir or shake until evenly blended.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months.
Use 1 teaspoon of this blend for every 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice called for in a recipe.
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 7Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gSodium 1mgCarbohydrates 2gFiber 1gSugar 0gProtein 0g
Nutrition information is an estimate because I am not a registered dietician.
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