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What is in Pumpkin Pie Spice

When my boyfriend saw me preparing this pumpkin pie spice mix at home, he was kind of confused and asked, “Wait! Does that mean that, if I order a pumpkin spice latte, there is no pumpkin inside?” That’s correct! 

As I also had to learn, pumpkin pie spice is just a mix of spices that are usually used in the Fall for baking recipes with pumpkin.

So, what’s inside? There’s cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and ground cloves.

The best recipe for my palate is made with the following quantities:

• 1 tablespoon cinnamon 
• ¾ teaspoon of ginger
• ¾ teaspoon of nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon of ground cloves 

However, you can customize it to your liking. You can have a bigger amount of ginger and cloves if you want a stronger flavor, or increase the amount of cinnamon for a softer taste.

How to make pumpkin pie spice

It’s incredibly easy to make it:

• Measure the right quantity for each spice.
• Combine them all and stir. 
• Store them in an airtight container for longer freshness.

You can also combine the spices directly in the airtight jar. If it’s not too full, you can shake the jar for a better mix. 

With the quantities of this recipe, you’ll be able to make a bulk amount that you can cut in half or double the quantities of each ingredient, depending on how much pumpkin pie spice you’d like to make.

WATCH HOW TO MAKE THIS PUMPKIN PIE SPICE (46 sec)

Why do I consider this pumpkin pie spice to be healthy

CINNAMON

The main ingredient in this Pumpkin Pie Spice is cinnamon. As shown in several reports, this spice, in any of its forms, has numerous properties.

It contains manganese, iron, dietary fiber, and calcium, as well as a large number of antioxidants, such as polyphenols that protect our body from oxidative damage. (1) (2)

It exerts antioxidant protection through its ability to activate the antioxidant enzymes. (3)

According to this study, cinnamon has excellent anti-inflammatory activities, which means that its components may be useful in the treatment of age-related inflammatory conditions.

In this other study, it has been shown that the inclusion of cinnamon in the diet of people with type 2 diabetes, will reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. 

As summarized in this other study, “cinnamon and components of cinnamon have been shown to have beneficial effects on essentially all of the factors associated with metabolic syndrome, including insulin sensitivity, glucose, lipids, antioxidants, inflammation, blood pressure, and body weight. In addition, factors associated with related diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and cancer, have also been shown to be improved by cinnamon and its components during invitro studies.” 

Finally, another reason why I consider this blend of spices to be healthier than the store-bought version is that, when you make it at home, you know 100% what’s inside.

What type of cinnamon to buy

There is only one detail that we need to take into consideration when buying cinnamon: its amount of coumarin. 

According to this study, coumarin is a secondary phytochemical with hepatotoxic and carcinogenic properties. For this reason, in the EU, a tolerable daily intake of 0.1 mg/kg body weight was established. 

There are two types of cinnamon, Cassia and Ceylon (also called True cinnamon). The Cassia type contains a bigger amount of coumarin. This is the type of cinnamon with a cheaper price and is used in most of the cinnamon-flavored foods and drinks. (4) 

In this German study, it was reported that during the Christmas season, heavy consumers with cassia cinnamon may reach a daily coumarin intake corresponding to the tolerable daily intake.

So, make sure to buy the right cinnamon to keep at home, especially if you use it heavily. On Amazon, you can find a big selection of True Cinnamon.

How to store and how long this homemade pumpkin pie spice last

The best way to store this mix of spices is in an airtight container; it can last for years. 

Since you are mixing different spices, you can take into consideration their expiration date.  

Pumpkin Pie Spice recipes

Pumpkin Pie Spice is an aromatic blend that can be sprinkled on lattes, on a golden milk, on overnight oats, or on yogurt.

You can add it to a homemade granola, oatmeal cookies, baked donuts, or an apple crumble for more of a Fall taste. 

You can also use it in your snacks with fruits, like this easy banana snack, or even with some roasted veggies.

And, of course, you can bake something delicious like this Healthy Gluten-free Pumpkin Bread.

Gift this Pumpkin Pie Spice

This pumpkin pie spice makes also a great gift. You can put the spice mix in a cute jar like these with metal bails or these with cork lid and give to friends and family. 

If you want to go the extra mile you could even add a fancy chalkboard label.

It also makes a great Christmas gift if you also include a jar with homemade granola or some cookies.  

Your turn: Did you already know what is in pumpkin pie spice? Are you going to make your own version at home?

Let me know if you have any question by leaving a comment below.

As always, I appreciate you stopping by my blog, and if you think this post might help someone you know to make even a small step to a healthier lifestyle, please don’t hesitate to share it away!

Happy Healthy Eating!

A big hug,