Apple Pie Spice

Spices such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cardamom come together in this easy homemade apple pie spice. This warm and comforting spice blend can be used for so much more than just apple pie!

I know that many of us equate fall with pumpkin spice everything. From lattes and sweet potato chips to home fragrances, it seems like everything has a pumpkin spice twist these days.

And I’m the first to say bring it on. Unless it’s something a little strange like pumpkin spice hummus, then it’s a hard pass.

Even though I am totally team pumpkin pie spice, I’ve been pretty fond of this homemade apple pie spice for years now.

It’s a deliciously festive blend of spices that’s perfect for any fall-inspired baked good. It’s also pretty amazing as a topping for your morning oatmeal, a frothy latte, or mixing with sugar for the ultimate cinnamon toast!

What is in apple pie spice?

I’m pretty much a self-professed spice hoarder, so Penzey’s makes me almost as happy as Nordstrom does. Seriously, it’s pretty close.

So any time I stumble across a recipe that calls for a special spice blend, my first thought is if I have what I need to make it myself.

The answer to that is almost always yes. From pumpkin pie spice and chai spice blend to homemade taco seasoning and ranch seasoning mix, I have made plenty of my own spice blends over the years.

As soon as the air turns crisp and the leaves start to turn, I get into serious fall baking mode and often encounter recipes that call for “apple pie spice.”

But what really is apple pie spice?

Most of these blends include:

• cinnamon
• ginger
• nutmeg
• allspice
• cardamom

By making your own spice blends, you can tweak the amounts and customize the blend to meet your taste.

Love cardamom? Add a little more in. Nuts about ginger? Feel free to up the amount! I promise – you really can’t mess it up!

Making and storing your apple pie spice

To make your homemade apple pie spice, simply add all the ingredients to a clean, dry jar. Close it up and shake until well combined.

Don’t stress out about making sure your measurements are exact. The amounts listed in the recipe card below are meant to be more of a guideline, so feel free to adjust any of them to your own liking.

If kept in an airtight container (such as a small food storage container, spice jars, or Weck jars) in a cool, dark place, this apple pie spice will stay good almost indefinitely.

You don’t need to buy a fancy container, though. You can always wash, dry and reuse old spice jars, making it even more economical!

The amounts in the recipe card make about 1/3 cup of seasoning mix – that’s about 15 teaspoons. You can easily double or even triple the recipe if you know you’re going to be using a lot of apple pie spice in the upcoming months, though!

Uses

I love throwing this blend into apple crumb pie (of course) or even apple pie bars, but it’s also great in any dessert or breakfast that you want to add a little bit of warmth and depth to.

Think crock pot applesauce, oatmeal, apple muffins, apple pancakes and so much more!

Pretty much any of my apple recipes pair well with this spice blend. You could even use it in some of my pumpkin recipes in a pinch!

If you’re crafty, I think a cute label and a little twine could make this homemade mix the perfect little gift for fall. Couple the spice blend with a basket of freshly picked apples and you have a great holiday gift for neighbors, co-workers, friends and family.