Homemade Apple Pie Spice
Apple Pie Spice is a simple and delicious way to add aromatic, warm, Fall spices to a variety of dishes. Skip the store bought and make this essential Fall spice mix for all your holiday baking!
Think pies, tarts, cookies, and you can make with it!
Apple Pie Spice
I can smell the FALL SEASON in the air and I am LOVING IT!
The one thing that I am looking forward to most about the season, other than warm sweaters and hot cocoa, is all the wonderful fall baking treats. The one at the top of my list is Apple Pie.
And, of course, the best part of the apple pie is the warm and delicious smell of spices!
The apple pie spice mix is also the reason I am drawn to hot apple cider, apple turnovers, and spiced apple cakes.
I wonder how much apple pie spice Americans actually use every year?
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Homemade Spice Mixes
I love getting a new spice mix and trying it out. The spice combinations already figured out, amounts determined, and ready to use.
One thing I don’t like is the price and fillers though!
Making homemade spice mixes is easy and a great way to customize your favorite flavors! So when I make my own Apple Pie Spice blend, I start with the basics.
Once you have the basics, you can start to customize your apple spice to your specific tastes. Some prefer a lot more cinnamon and some don’t.
Ingredients Needed
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Cardamom
- Allspice
- Ginger
All of these spices are pretty basic, especially the cinnamon, but this time I MIXED THINGS UP A BIT.
For this apple pie spice mix, I chose to use Vietnamese Cinnamon or Saigon Cinnamon. Vietnamese Cinnamon is related to the everyday cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia, or Chinese cinnamon) that is mainly used in the US.
Vietnamese Cinnamon (or Saigon cinnamon) has a higher oil content which gives it a more potent aroma and flavor and is better for sweets and baked treats in my opinion. I buy it as a bulk spice I love it so much!
All the other spices are good to go. I will note that if you have the chance to ground your nutmeg fresh, do it, just cut back a little on the amount as fresh is way more potent!
How to Make Apple Pie Spice
First: Gather and measure all your spices.
Second: Mix together in a sealable jar or container. Store until ready to use.
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
What is a substitute for apple pie spice?
Pie Spice contains the usual cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, but with the addition of allspice.
If you don’t have any handy, you can always use pumpkin pie spice and add a little allspice extra.
Is it the same as pumpkin spice?
Not exactly. Apple spice is the same as pumpkin pie spice with one exception. It doesn’t have any cloves in it like the pumpkin version.
Pumpkin pie spice has the basic four spices but has cloves instead of allspice.
The addition of the cloves is what really makes the difference as cloves have such a unique and potent aroma and flavor.
This is an example of why I love to make my own spice mixes. With so many spices to use, and the unique qualities, controlling the levels of each makes them easy to be liked by everyone.
I prefer less cloves altogether so I can leave them out of both, but I also prefer a little less cinnamon due to a personal sensitivity.
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Can you substitute pumpkin pie spice for apple?
You certainly can in a pinch but if you are making something light you might want to just stick with a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
Cloves can be very strong.
What can I substitute for nutmeg?
Nutmeg has a unique flavor but comes from the same tree as Mace. If you have Mace, feel free to use that. If not, add in a pinch of extra cinnamon and no one with notice.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, it is so feel free to use it on all the things!
I use these Weck Jars for all my spice mixes and pickled condiments. Just be sure to keep in a cool, dry place and it will stay fresh for months!
I love making spice mixes but hate a one use product! I don’t want to spend time making a spice mix that can only be used in one recipe.
Here are some other options.
Uses for Apple Pie Spice
- cakes
- cookies
- pies
- sliced apples for snacking
- yogurt
- ice cream
- baked apples
- fresh apple salsa
- apple pie filling for gifts
- fall desserts
- fall cocktails
- any recipes that call for apple pie spice
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!
Apple Pie Spice is a fall baking essential, full of warm and comforting spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Doesn’t that make you want to cuddle up in a warm sweater and fuzzy slippers this holiday season?
Apple Pie Spice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 4 tablespoons Vietnamese Cinnamon or regular if don’t have it
- 2 teaspoons allspice
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
Instructions
- Mix all the spices together and store in an airtight container in a cool dark place.
- Use as needed.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Want more seasoning recipes? I have a delicious pumpkin pie spice recipe or poultry seasoning that you will love. Check them out along with this amazing list of homemade spice mix recipes and tips and trick on how to store them.
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How much apple pie spice do I use to replace the individual spices called for in a recipe
Depending on the recipe, I use 1-2 teaspoons.
Made this used it on some pork ribs, the smell and taste was amazing.
Can I add nuts? Thank you
Not sure why you would want to add nuts to your spice mix but I wouldn’t recommend it. Nuts spoil quickly if not stored correctly. Anything longer than 2 weeks at room temp and the oil in the nuts would start to turn rancid.
I am looking forward to trying your recipe. I don’t have cardamom on hand, but I do have Saigon cinnamon. I am a recent fan of it. The author of Midwest Made likened it to the taste if Red Hots, and I agree!
It totally makes it! I don’t buy anything but Saigon cinnamon!
Tried this and found it tobe very good thank you for sharing.
Thanks for sharing this great recipe! I love apple pie and I usually make it with just a pinch of cinnamon. but this homemade spice mix makes really a difference 😀 Is Vietnamese cinnamon different in taste compared to the regular one? Thanks!
The V cinnamon has a purer flavor and is a little sweeter and less acidic than the regular traffic so it makes the whole dish taste better!
Thanks for sharing this great recipe! I love apple pie and I usually make it with just a pinch of cinnamon. but this homemade spice mix makes really a difference 😀 Is Vietnamese cinnamon different in taste compared to the regular one? Thanks!