Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend

Have you ever come across a recipe that calls for pumpkin pie spice and wondered what you can use instead? Well, it happens to me and then I realize, wait, I do have it.

I keep ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves in my spice collection for making pumpkin pie, pumpkin steamers, and sweet breads and muffins. So when I need pumpkin pie spice, here's the ingredients I pull together. If you search around you'll find that there are a variations of this spice blend but in general they all have the basics I use here, except you might also find allspice in the mix. All to say, you can make this your own and add and take away what you want.

I rarely grind fresh whole spices, but it's a great way to get the strongest aroma and freshness. Ground spices lose their aroma and flavor faster than whole spices, so it's better to buy them in smaller amounts, unless you go through them fast. Ground spices last about two to three years at room temperature. Whole spices last closer to four years at room temperature.

If you do go the whole spices route, I grind my spices with this grinder, or you can use any spice or coffee bean grinder.

When one of my spice bottles goes empty, I save the glass jar it came in and use it for spice mixes I make or for other loose herbs, salts, and spices. That's just one of the perks of buying spices in nice jars. And you're avoiding plastics and helping the environment.

Here's the basic recipe I use:

• 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves

I if you'd like allspice, add this amount...

• 1 teaspoon ground allspice