How to Make the Best Simple Pumpkin Spice Blend

It’s that time of year again. The time where all things pumpkin are going down in the kitchen. But first, you need to make up a simple pumpkin spice blend to be able to use in all those yummy pumpkin recipes. 

Almost every pumpkin flavored treat will call for a pumpkin spice blend. 

If you make one of my recipes like my pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, or even my pumpkin spice coffee creamer you will need it. It’s what puts the spice in pumpkin spice!

It definitely is a staple in my kitchen. Well, at least a staple on my spice shelf. 

​I am a sucker for all things homemade. Whenever I am out of something, my first thought is “do I have the ingredients to make it rather then go to the grocery store and buy it?” This goes for all foods. 

I made the switch years ago and now I can’t go back. That is always my first thought!

One of the first things I started making in my own kitchen, instead of buying them, is homemade spice blends. This is such an easy thing to start with! 

If you buy single spices in bulk, then you likely will always have all the things you need to make up your own spice blends. Things like garlic salt, taco seasoning, seasoned salt, and this simple pumpkin spice blend are perfect ways to save money and make them yourself.  

Now that we are approaching pumpkin season, let’s get our own blend of homemade pumpkin spice on our shelves to use in all our fall baking treats.

What is in pumpkin spice blend?

You will be amazing at how little ingredients you need for this blend. I can bet you probably already have all the spices in your kitchen.

Pumpkin spice blends are just made up of ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground clove, ground all spice, and nutmeg.

It is the perfect blend of warm spices to compliment all the pumpkin and fall recipes.  

Where do I buy my bulk spices?

I buy all my individual spices in bulk on Azure Standard. You can get spices in large quantities or in smaller packages. 

It is the most cost effective way for me to gather all the spices I use in my kitchen. Then it is easy to whip up a batch of any blend when needed. 

If you are unsure of what Azure Standard is, make sure to check out how I use Azure Standard to grocery shop monthly. 

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground all spice
• 1.5 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

How to make a simple pumpkin spice blend:

1. Add all ingredients to a small bowl or a small glass jar.
2. Use a small whisk to evenly mix all ingredients. If using a jar, you can just put the cap on and shake it real well. 
3. Store in an airtight container out of direct sunlight.

This recipe easily doubles or even triples. 

How long will homemade spices stay good?

Spices can last a long time if they are kept in a dark place and out of direct sunlight. If you have seen my kitchen all my spices and spice blends are on a shelf above my stove. I have no direct sunlight in my kitchen so it works for me. 

However, with all the cooking and baking we do in my kitchen, my spices aren’t on that shelf longer then a year. I am constantly refilling jars. So even if I did have direct sunlight in my kitchen, I would still feel safe keeping them on a shelf above my stove.

If you start with fresh spices, less then 6 months old, and store properly your spice blends can last for 1-2 years. 

What a huge money saving hack to buy simple spices in bulk and then make all your blends that last for years to come! 

So the next time you think, “I’m out of pumpkin pie spice”, try making this homemade simple pumpkin spice blend and see how well it works in all your recipes!