The Ultimate Guide to Making Homemade Apple Pie Spice Recipe
Get the recipe for making homemade apple pie spice, a staple in any baker’s pantry. This recipe is going to take your fall baking to the next level and make a plain Jane pie, muffin, or oatmeal sing with rich warm spices. If you’re a beginner or an experienced baker, it’s still worth the time to read this guideline; and find out how easy it is to make your own apple pie spice recipe — thus ensuring that you always can have the freshest possible, flavorful blend at home.
Homemade Apple Pie Spice
What is Apple Pie Spice?
The Apple Pie Spice is a fragrant and aromatic mix of the correct spices that add warmth along with flavor to all your baked goodies. Although most famously used in apple pies, this spice blend has been incorporated into a variety of sweet applications and even savoury dishes. It typically features cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice as its main flavors with possible extras such as ground cardamom or to add a more intriguing cate flavor.
Why make homemade spice mix at home?
When you create your apple pie spice, you can be certain that the spices are fresh and aromatic helping to build more flavor. That’s the black hole of using store-bought apple pie spice blends: they never perk up in flavor since many have long shelf lives, while a homemade recipe for an apple pie gets you to that fresher taste and aroma. Also, making your own spice mix gives you the control to eliminate or decrease spices depending on what you like: LOVE cardamom and want more of it in pumpkin pie…great; not a fan of cinnamon…leave some out….
How Does Homemade Apple Pie Spice Compare to The Store Version?
Apple pie spice blends bought in stores make the process easy, but they often contain fillers or preservatives that may detract from the true flavors of each species. This homemade apple pie spice is pure and fresh. Nothing added to it! It takes only a few minutes to make, and you can combine fresh spices for that store-bought stuff to taste much more interesting in your apple pies, muffins or my favorite apple crisps.
Ingredients for an Apple Pie Spice Recipe
How do you make apple pie spice?
What is apple pie spice made of: Ground cinnamon, Nutmeg and/or allspice + then you can add a few extra optional spices like cardamom or ginger. For the perfect blend! Every spice helps to build the warm, fall-flavoured profile of seasoning in this blend. The essential ingredients are broken out here in simplest form:
Cinnamon — this is the main flavor in my special spice blend, which gives sweetness and warmth. 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
Ground nutmeg – a warm and slightly nutty spice that compliments the flavor. Some ground nutmeg, about 1 teaspoon
Allspice: Strong, clove-cinnamon-like. 1/2 tsp ground allspice
Cardamom (optional but it has citrusy notes that work well in the blend) If you are a fan of it then add just a little dash of ground cardamom.
Ginger— this can be used in combination with the herbs above, or replace one to add a bit of kick and depth. Less Is More With Ground Ginger
The Perfect Blend of Spices
A combination of the three spices and you have apple pie spice, but it is cinnamon that seems to always be in larger quantities so using the right ratio ensures your spice mix will taste like apple pie. Cinnamon is the main player but is backed up by nutmeg and allspice to give it depth and a touch of complexity. If you are feeling frisky, change the above proportions or even add a little ground cloves.
Is the Spice Mix Adjustable?
Absolutely! What I love the most about making a homemade spice mix, is that you can adjust this recipe to your liking and preferences. If you like your flavors bolder or spicier, add more nutmeg and/or ginger. Add a teaspoon of cinnamon for those who adore it for the sweet and gentle heat! If you want a more simple spice blend, just leave out the cardamon or allspice.
Homemade Apple Pie Spice Ingredients
How to make an Apple Pie Spice Mix?
Apple pie spice is so easy to make. You really just need to set aside a few minutes and you can make your own spice mixture that is perfect for all of these recipes! Here’s how to do it:
In a small bowl, mix together 2 tsp ground cinnamon +1 tbs nutmeg+½ allspice+a pinch of optional cardamom and ginger
Stir until spices are fully incorporated.
Transfer the mix into an airtight jar such as a mason jar and keep it in a cool, dry place.
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Add your spices (ground cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and any other spice you want) to a measuring cup.
Combine all of the spices in a bowl and mix well.
Fill the meat masala in a jar, label it and store it in a cool & dry place to easily keep it fresh.
You can make plenty of different things with this apple pie spice recipe: You can add it to your pies, or muffins, you could check the coffee house round for any unfortunate soul who only ordered a plain latte and doesn’t even need his sprinkles.
How Long Does the Spice Last?
If stored in a cool, dry place and sealed tightly inside an air-tight container your homemade apple pie spice can last up to one year. But it works best for the flavor to use the spice mix within 6 months. The spices, as with any dry rub seasoning/BBQ pit spice may lose their potency over time so adjust to your taste when using an older batch.
Ways to Use Apple Pie Spice
What Recipes to Put Apple Pie Spice in?
While we use this blend for a quick ‘and easy garam masala apple pie (my fave and only Pi day recipe!), it does well in any other recipes that include ginger, cardamom or coriander. Sprinkle it on top of cooked oatmeal, add some to muffin batter or use in slow cooker apple butter. Add a pinch to your new homemade applesauce or sprinkle it across some baked apple goods like apple crisp for that full fall flavor.
More Than Just Pies: Interesting Uses for the Fall Spice
Muffins and Bread — Add the spice to your favorite muffin or bread recipe to give it a fall twist.
Mix up your overnight oats or sprinkle some apple pie spice with other spices into oatmeal for a quick and easy breakfast.
French Toast — take your French toast to the next level by sprinkling it with apple pie spice, giving this dish a warm and spiced taste.
Tips for Storing and Preserving Your Homemade Spice Blend
Keep the apple pie spice mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for maximum freshness. You can use a mason jar for this, too. Label the jar with date, so you can keep track of when it was made. If kept in a dry and cool place, the spice mix will retain some potency over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does That Mean I Can Swap the Spices Used in a Recipe?
Since you can season the spices according to your taste. The cardamom and allspice used here are both a tad over the top, so feel free to leave them out or reduce their quantity if you aren’t into those flavours. Similarly, you can play around with mixing in various other spices like ground cloves for a more hearty nastiness.
Apple Pie Spice Food Pairings
Besides apple pies, this recipe is a great seasoning to use in applesauce, apple butter, oatmeal and well as apple cider. It’s also an excellent fall spice to use in baked goods such as spiced muffins, apple crisps and bread.
Key Takeaways:
- Apple pie spice is a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and optional spices like cardamom and ginger.
- Making homemade apple pie spice ensures freshness and flexibility.
- The spice mix is perfect for apple pies, muffins, oatmeal, and more.
- Store the blend in an airtight container for up to a year, but best used within six months.
- You can adjust the spice ratios to match your flavor preferences.
- Get creative: use the spice mix in apple butter, applesauce, and baked goods.
With this guide, you’ll never need to buy apple pie spice again!
