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    Home » Recipes » Basic Recipes

    Published: Sep 10, 2023 by Paula Montenegro · Income from ads and affiliates

    Apple Pie Spice (3-minute recipe)

    Jump to Recipe
    Red and white text overlay on white spoon with apple pie spice lifted from a mason jar.

    Making homemade apple pie spice substitute takes a few minutes and keeps for months if stored properly. A blend of simple warm spices, it's easily customizable to suit your palate. Good for any apple and sweet spice recipes you bake.

    Table of Contents Open
    Why make your own spice blend
    Ingredient list
    How to use apple pie spice mix
    How to make your own apple spice mix
    Storage
    Apple Pie Spice Mix (very easy)
    Glass jar with apple pie spice mix. A white spoon lifting some of it. White background.


    This simple combination of basic spices adds that old-fashioned fall flavor to your favorite apple recipes. That apple pie taste is achieved by using this mix, and nothing beats homemade!

    I ditched my old spice jars, bought small mason jars and am starting to make my own blends that include pumpkin pie spice blend, this apple mix and more to come.

    You'll love this 3-minute recipe (a must for apple season!) that can be adjusted to your taste.

    The recipe below is our favorite mix of due to the ratio of the ingredients (ground spices) and we use it for everything. Use it as a guide.

    Why make your own spice blend

    • Cost-effective.
    • Fresher ingredients: especially if you make it regularly. And it's guaranteed without additives or preservatives. It beats store-bought apple pie spice any day.
    • Common spices: it uses easy ingredients, pantry staples that are readily available in the spice aisle at the grocery store.
    • Adapted to your palate.
    • Versatility: use it for any apple bake (pies, cookies, cakes, pancakes, etc.) and also for some spiced savory dishes chicken with apples.
    Apple pie spice in a mason jar with a white ceramic spoon inside. Light green and wood background.

    Ingredient list

    • Cinnamon: any ground cinnamon you normally use works fine. I like Frontier Vietnamese cinnamon and Simply Organic Ceylon cinnamon. 
    • Allspice: buy the ground allspice powder. If you have a spice grinder, you can buy whole allspice berries and grind them before using.
    • Nutmeg: use ground nutmeg or buy whole nutmeg and grind them when needed like I do.
    Mounds of ground cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice in a white bowl.

    What's in apple pie spice mix?


    The essential spices are typically cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. Variations can be created by adding other spices like cardamom, mace, cloves, ginger or star anise.


    What's the shelf life of homemade spice mixes?


    Properly stored in an airtight container away from light and heat, homemade spice mix can maintain its flavor for about 6 months. After this time, the spices may lose some potency. Always check before using it.


    How do I adjust the spice mix for different recipes?


    Start with the recommended amount in the recipe, taste, and adjust as needed. For sweeter dishes, you might add more cinnamon, while for savory recipes, you may reduce the sweetness by using less allspice and adding a stronger spice like white pepper.


    Is it worth making a large batch of apple spice mix?


    Making a larger batch can be convenient for future use and may save time and effort in the long run, but only if you know you'll be using it. Otherwise, it will lose strength and flavor before you can use it. Ensure you store it properly to maintain its freshness.

    How to use apple pie spice mix

    This blend is good in any apple dessert and bake not just apple pie. Use it in recipes with apple cider, breakfast dishes like French toast and waffles, cakes, cookies, muffins, pastries and spice cakes.

    • Apple bread
    • Apple walnut cake
    • Apple muffins
    • Applesacue bread
    • White plate with square of apple crumb bar with ice cream. Green cloth in the background.
      Easy Apple Crumb Bars
    • Hand holding white bowl with apple cobbler with whipped cream. Grey background.
      Easy Apple Cobbler
    • Close up of caramel being poured on a white bowl with apple bread pudding.
      Apple Bread Pudding
    • Whole baked apple galette on beige parchment paper. Apple halves. Top view.
      Rustic Apple tart (galette)
    • Apple pancakes
    • Apple overnight oats or oatmeal
    • Apple spice lattes
    • Apple crisp
    • Close up of apple coffee cake squares in a stack with white tile background. Top one is dripping glaze.
      Apple Coffee Cake (with sour cream)
    • Top view of a white bowl with applesauce on white cloth and surface.
      Best Homemade Applesauce (sweetened & unsweetened)
    • Serving chocolate apple crisp with silver spoon from glass dish
      Chocolate Apple Crisp
    • Caramel topped ice cream scoop over apple dump cake in white bowl, white napkin.
      Caramel Apple Dump Cake

    How to make your own apple spice mix

    It's so easy to make a homemade spice blend. It's just a matter of combining individual spices in the right proportions.

    And that's the only detail: what amount of each should you use?

    Start with the ones in the recipe card below, and adjust if needed to fit your palate.

    Storage

    • Use an airtight container: mason jars, small spice jars, or containers with tight-sealing lids work well. Making sure there is minimal air inside the container prevents moisture and air from degrading the spices.
    • Label: write the date you made the spice mix. This helps you keep track of its freshness.
    • Store in a cool, dark place: keep the spice mix in a cool, dry, and dark place, away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. A pantry, spice cabinet or cupboard is an ideal location.
    • Avoid refrigeration: keeping them in the fridge is not recommended for spice mixes as it can introduce moisture and cause clumping. Spices should remain dry.
    • Check for freshness: spice blends can lose their potency over time. While they might not be spoiled, they may be less flavorful. Consider making a fresh batch if you've stored the mix for over a year. Smell the spices before using them.

    Let me know in the comments below if you made this recipe and loved it and if you had issues so we can troubleshoot together. I love to hear what you think, always. Thanks for being here. It's much appreciated.
    You might also consider subscribing to our FREE email series to Boost your Home Baking Skills! And our regular newsletter.
    And let's connect via Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.

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    Close up mason jar with apple pie spice and a white ceramic spoon inside.

    Apple Pie Spice Mix (very easy)

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    Making your own apple pie spice mix takes a minute and keeps for months. A blend of spices with cozy fall flavors, it's easily customizable to suit your palate. Use it for all things apple, from pie to spice cakes, muffins, pancakes and apple scones. It also works with sweet potatoes and sweet spiced recipes. 

    • Total Time: 3 minutes
    • Yield: ½ cup

    Ingredients

    • 6 tablespoons ground cinnamon
    • 4 teaspoons ground nutmeg
    • 4 teaspoons ground allspice

    Instructions

    1. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl until no streaks remain. It might take a bit until the cinnamon fully integrates.
    2. Transfer to an airtight glass container like a small mason jar, label it and store it in the pantry, cupboard or other cool, dry, dark place. It keeps for 6 months or more.
    3. Use it for your favorite apple recipes.

    Notes

    • Use an airtight container: mason jars, small spice jars, or containers with tight-sealing lids work well. Making sure there is minimal air inside the container prevents moisture and air from degrading the spices.
    • Label: write the date you made the spice mix. This helps you keep track of its freshness.
    • Store in a cool, dark place: keep the spice mix in a cool, dry, and dark place, away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. A pantry, spice cabinet or cupboard is an ideal location.
    • Avoid refrigeration: keeping them in the fridge is not recommended for spice mixes as it can introduce moisture and cause clumping. Spices should remain dry.
    • Check for freshness: spice blends can lose their potency over time. While they might not be spoiled, they may be less flavorful. Consider making a fresh batch if you've stored the mix for over a year. Smell the spices before using them.
    • Author: Paula Montenegro
    • Prep Time: 3 minutes
    • Category: Basic recipes
    • Method: Mixing
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: apple pie spice mix

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    About Paula Montenegro

    I'm Paula, a baker for more than 30 years and your designated recipe developer, sharing the best ones here with simple ingredients + easy-to-follow instructions.

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    Hi, I'm Paula!

    A baker for more than 30 years and your designated recipe finder, sharing the best ones on this blog, with simple ingredients + easy-to-follow instructions.

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