Use this homemade apple pie spice to make your own mix from scratch using spices in your pantry.
You will often see apple pie spice listed as an ingredient on recipes for apple pies and crisps. I know you have hears of pumpkin pie spice, but you may be asking yourself What’s apple pie spice? And you wouldn’t be alone!
What is apple pie spice made of?
Apple pie spice is just a mix of several spices that are commonly included in homemade apple pie recipes. In fact, they are included so frequently, that spice manufacturers started bottling them together. Apple pie spice is a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and occasionally cardamon.
Does apple pie spice have sugar?
Sometimes people confuse apple pie spice with cinnamon sugar. They do look similar. Apple pie spice does not include sugar, so you will need to follow the guidelines for your pie or tart recipe for using sugar in the recipe.
Is apple pie spice the same as allspice?
Apple pie spice uses allspice, but it is not the same as allspice. Allspice is made from the dried berries of Pimenta dioica tree which is found in southern Mexico and Central America. The name “allspice” was coined in the 1600s by the English, who thought it combined the flavor of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
How to Make Apple Pie Spice
I refuse to pay extra for a spice mix when I can make it myself. Just like Pumpkin Pie Spice, you can make apple pie spice with ingredients commonly found in your spice cupboard. Use the recipe below to make a batch of
Apple Pie Spice Recipe
This makes 12 teaspoons, enough to make 6 – 8 apple pies. You will find a printable recipe card below.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
- 1½ teaspoons ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon cardamom (optional)
Directions:
- Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cardamon to a small bowl.
- Mix well.
- Use as called for in recipes.
Store the spice mix in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Apple pie spice with cardamom or without?
Cardamom can be an expensive spice that isn’t commonly found in a spice rack. I almost always have it on hand though because I use it to make Homemade Chai Tea. But even though I almost always have cardamom on hand, I occasionally leave it out when feeling nostalgic because my grandmother did not use it in her pie recipe. I usually include it though because my daughter and I love the flavor of cardamom. That is the beauty of homemade spices mixes – you can tailor them to suit your taste, traditions, or the spices you have on hand.
I recommend you use this apple pie spice recipe without the cardamom if you don’t have it on hand. See if you like the flavor combination. If you do, then you know you don’t need to pick up any cardamom. If you don’t, then pick up a bottle of cardamom and add it to the recipe.
Printable Recipe for Homemade Apple Pie Spice
Homemade Apple Pie Spice Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
- 1½ teaspoons ground allspice
- ½ teaspoon cardamom optional
Instructions
- Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cardamon to a small bowl.
- Mix well.
- Use as called for in recipes.
Notes
Nutrition
More Homemade Spice Mix Recipes:
- Pumpkin Pie Spice Recipe
- Homemade Poultry Seasoning
- How to Make Seasoned Salt
- Homemade Italian Seasoning
- Taco Seasoning Recipe
- How to Make Herbs de Provence
- Chipotle Seasoning Recipe
Esmé Slabbert says
Congratulations, your post will be featured on Monday at SSPS #276. Thanks for sharing and I hope to see you at the next Party on Monday!
Esmé Slabbert says
Very interesting, never done this before, so will have to pin this and try it out
Thank you for sharing your links with us at #275 SSPS Linky. See you again next week
Melissa @ Stockpiling Moms says
I love to make my own homemade apple pie spice. This is a really great tip for saving money! Thanks!
lauren greutman says
Alea,
This is perfect! I’ve always wondered about the proper ratio of the different ingredients and I hate the idea of having to spend extra on a special blend at the grocery. Thanks for solving the mystery!