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This easy Apple Pie Spice recipe without cardamom only has three ingredients but packs all the flavor! A professional pastry chef’s secret ratio to use in everything from easy apple pie to apple pie overnight oats!
In my very organized, yet packed, spice cabinet you will always find little jars of my favorite custom spice mixes. In addition to apple pie spice I also have Pumpkin Spice Mix, Speculaas Spice Mix and my custom taco seasoning. I recently added a jar of homemade blackening seasoning, which I am loving.
It’s no secret that I sprinkle the sweet spice mixes on everything. I use them to roast vegetables like these roasted spiced butternut squash, add a generous sprinkle to my pumpkin spice oatmeal or apple pie overnight oats, or use them to make a quick fall flavored nut mix or popcorn. Strongly suggest pumpkin pie spice on kettle corn.
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Apple Pie Spice
- The perfect balance. This recipe has the perfect balance of flavors. Allspice is powerful and it can easily take over the flavor. I have carefully tested this ratio thousands of times to make sure everything is in balance.
- Test, fine tune, and repeat. This recipe was originally created on a micro digital scale, which is accurate to 1/100th of a gram. When I say I fine-tuned it, I really mean I tested and retested in baked goods until my recipe was literally perfect.
- This recipe is versatile. I have used this recipe to make dozens of apple recipes. Some are here on CLF like these apple scones or these apple crisp energy bites, and some are waiting in the wings like the best apple upside down cake (ever ever).
How to use Apple Pie Spice
This spice mix is so versatile. I use it in both sweet and savory dishes, or to spice up my favorite snacks!
- Spice up Breakfast: I add it to oatmeal along with diced apples, or I make my Apple Pie Overnight Oats in large batches to eat all week. Substitute it for the pumpkin spice in this pumpkin spice french toast or add it to your go-to buttermilk waffle recipe. Add it to brown sugar streusel for an easy topping upgrade for banana crumb bread or peach streusel muffins. You could also whip up a batch of my Spiced Apple Scones!
- Apple Pie Spice Snacks: Sprinkle it on peanut butter toast along with a drizzle of maple syrup for a healthy snack or use it to make my Apple Crisp Energy Bites! Add it instead of other spices in muffins or energy bars. Mix it with melted butter and a little brown sugar to toss with popcorn or a sweet snack. Or try it in apple sauce or apple butter.
- A turn towards Savory: Apple Pie spice is delightful sprinkled on carrots or sweet potatoes before roasting. You could add it to any cooking grain like quinoa or farro for a subtle, warming side dish.
- Apple Spiced Desserts: Of course this apple pie spice mix is delightful in place of the cinnamon in easy apple pie, easy apple crisp or baked pears. Use it to flavor apple or pear upside down cakes or replace the spices in these caramel apple cupcake for a lovely spiced variation. You can also use it in any of the 21 best apple dessert recipes!
Ingredients Needed
- Cinnamon: I use Saigon cinnamon but any cinnamon will do.
- Nutmeg: This recipe is written for pre-ground nutmeg. If you use freshly ground, then you’ll need to adjust the quantity by half or even 2/3rds. Fresh nutmeg has a completely different and wonderful flavor but it is stronger.
- Allspice: Allspice is a powerful spice. She will take over all the other spices if you let her. I always use allspice with a light hand. She pairs beautifully with apple and also, more surprisingly, is the secret ingredient in my sourdough hot crossed buns!
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Apple Pie Spice
Use these instructions to make the best apple pie spice! Further details and measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Measure cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and allspice into a small bowl.
Step 2: Whisk them all together and transfer into a small jar or an old, empty spice container.
This is a great way to reuse those little glass jars that spices come in. Just choose a spice that is already IN apple spice. You don’t want to put apple spice into a jar that used to have curry powder, or your spice mix will take like curry.
Chef Lindsey’s Recipe Tip
The beauty is in the simplicity here. Just choose fresh spices and store them in a tightly sealed container that is free from other lingering scents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store apple pie spice mix in a tightly sealed container that is free from other lingering scents. Spices are best used within a year of purchasing. While they won’t “go bad,” they do lose potency over time and will eventually just become a shadow of their former selves.
Apple pie spice is made of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. Some might add cardamom and ginger.
If you don’t want to make a full batch, and would prefer to just make what you need for a recipe, then measure ¾ teaspoons cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon allspice. It technically makes 1/8th teaspoon too much, but it won’t make a difference.
The amount of this apple pie spice recipe that you will use depends on the recipe you are making. If the recipe calls for “apple pie spice” then you can substitute it 1:1 in the recipe. If you want to use this mix in a recipe that calls for a blend of spices, then simply add up the total amount of all the spices in teaspoons and use that total measurement for the apple pie spice.
Apple Pie Spice Mix
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
Instructions
- Whisk together all ingredients in a bowl with your favorite tiny whisk!
- Use or store in a tightly sealed container that is free from any other lingering scents.
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Notes
Nutrition
Before You Go!
Before You Go
I hope you enjoyed this professional chef tested recipe. Check out our other delicious, chef-developed homemade spice mix recipes!
