Step one: clean the refrigerator. Wow… truly a strong place to start.
(We’re mentally starting our lists for Thanksgiving, right? I’m in the business of making brain-space, fridge-space, counter-space, belly-space, and entertaining-space for this holiday and it all starts in the mind and in the fridge.)
Again. Step one: clean the refrigerator.
Step two, order the turkey or order the protein or figure out which giant gourd you’re going to roast and enjoy in place of a bird. Step three is something else important. Step four involves cleaning the guest bathroom and finding a nice candle for that space. Step five might be name cards. Step six might be assigning mac and cheese to the right person. Step seven (though it should be step two) is assigning pie duty to the right pie-knowing people.
The one thing, make it’s number eleven or twelve down the list, is to root through your spice cabinet and take out all of the warming holiday spices that might make up a Pumpkin Pie Spice. There’s no need to buy a jar of the labeled stuff from the store – I surely bet you have what you need to make it.
Let’s see about it!
Pumpkin Pie spice is a mixture of lots of autumnal warming spices. Things like ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg.
Cinnamon is the base. Cinnamon is the root spice.
Nutmeg is another important factor in pumpkin pie spice.
I sing the praises of freshly grated nutmeg seed. The seed and a microplane are all you need to unravel the most delicate fragrant spice. Don’t settle for the pre-ground stuff.
I also add a dash of mace to pumpkin pie spice. Spicy and warm – mace comes from the seed covering of the nutmeg.
Ginger is important for a bit of back-throat spiciness. A dash of clove – not too much but just enough to keep everything warm. Allspice for base balance. Cardamom for brightness.
Here’s a few fine things you might consider whipping up with your newly made spice.
Tis the season! For pumpkin spice and extreme list making. Really and truly.
Jon’s Pumpkin Chocolate Slab Pie – such a chill, unique way to pie.
Creamy Pumpkin Pie Bars – somewhere between cheese cake and pumpkin pie with a crumble top!
Pumpkin Bread with walnuts or pecan – a staple.
Pumpkin Pecan Scones with brown butter glaze – I love these cakey scones they’re absolutely like having pumpkin cake for breakfast!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 3 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mace
Instructions
- Stir all of the spices together in a small bowl, working out any lumps that might occur. Store in an old spice jar or use immediately in pumpkin pie, apple pie too. Anywhere a little festive spice feels appropriate!
Jenna
Hi Joy! I love all your recipes and you are my go-to for when I need a recipe for anything. With that said, I love that you have a recipe for how to make the Pumpkin Pie Spice – but I can’t seem to find a recipe on your website to make an actual pumpkin pie.
Could you share a link to a post that I seem to be missing or maybe give me some direction.
Thanks for all your food knowledge!!!
Happy Mum
Question for Joy (I tried to post this Q earlier — so apologies if it comes through twice): How much of this spice would you use for one pumpkin pie filling? I really like this idea, but I’ve never used pumpkin pie spice — I just put the spices in one by one. And I love your blog!
joythebaker
Hi! It’s usually about 1 tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice!
Shannah
I always love reading your posts. Of course for the recipes, but you have such a special and natural way of managing to be encouraging, funny, profound, strong and kind that’s always such a joy to read. Thank you for being a light in the world. ??
Shannah
Minus the question marks at the end.
Juli Chouinard
Thank you for the recipe. I will say that I absolutely love that cleaning the refrigerator is number one on your list. Way too many people forget how important this is throughout the year. Enjoy the holiday season. May it be peaceful.
JanetH
Well said! You cracked me up though. Cardamom and mace are two spices I’ve never used in my batches. I’m going to make the pumpkin scones with mine.
Esther
Yum! This is a great idea!
http://thegirlswhobrunch.com
Seana Turner
Actually very interesting to see all of the different elements that go into this spice. Mace isn’t one I see used very often. I have actually never grated nutmeg myself. I have a microplane, though, so it seems easy enough. Nice to tuck this away for the future… happy Thanksgiving!
Rena
Such a great idea this homemade pumpkin space! Thanks for sharing!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com