Pumpkin Pie Spice & Apple Pie Spice

Pumpkin pie spice is a warm baking blend of ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove, and sometimes allspice — despite the name, it contains no actual pumpkin. Apple pie spice uses a very similar cinnamon-forward blend, typically without the clove, tuned instead toward apple desserts.

Growing the Components

Ginger is the one component of this blend that's genuinely feasible to grow at home, given a long warm season or a container that can move indoors — cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and allspice all need a true tropical climate and are best sourced as purchased spices.

Culinary Uses

Beyond pie filling, this blend flavors spiced lattes, oatmeal, quick breads, and roasted winter squash — anywhere the classic autumn warmth of cinnamon and clove is welcome.