Skip to main content

Embrace your inner basic bro: Learn how to make your own pumpkin spice

You don't have to deny It anymore — pumpkin spice is delicious

Look, no one’s proud of it. It’s something that’s associated with teenage girls and Ugg boots, or middle aged moms and Hobby Lobby. This time of year, every “Karen” in the country is walking around singing its praises and decorating every nook and cranny of her home accordingly with plastic gourds and faux foliage. But the sad truth is, pumpkin spice is delicious.

It just is, and there’s nothing we can do about it. So we say, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Throw on some flannel and embrace your inner basic bro. Stand up and declare your passion for pumpkin spice proudly. And we daresay, take it a step further by making your own blend at home. Because this time of year, adding this easy-to-make spice blend to just about anything will put you in a leaf-jumping, apple-picking, hay-riding kind of mood. And we’re here for it.

Just about every food and drink brand has hopped on the pumpkin spice bandwagon in the last few years. Of course, the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte is the leader of the pack, selling millions of the popular drink every autumn. Brands like Nespresso and Swiss Miss have also cashed in on the trend. Our favorites are the more unusual pairings — Pumpkin Spice Oreos, anyone? Or how about cracking open a cold Pumpkin Spice Hard Seltzer courtesy of Bud Light? No matter how far these brands might be reaching, there seem to be customers who just can’t get enough of this popular spice in their favorite foods and drinks.

The good news is, with this simple recipe, you, too, will be able to give anything you desire a pumpkin spice kick. Simply sprinkle bit to your coffee beans for a bit of fall flavor in your brew. Dust a little on toast or pancakes on those chilly fall mornings. Add a bit to your vanilla milkshake if you’re still in the summer heat and just can’t wait for fall to start! And of course, use it in all of your favorite pumpkin spice recipes, like pies and cakes.

Pumpkin spice recipe

Ground cinnamon spice.
Pexels

This recipe is ridiculously easy to make. No cooking required — just mix a few things you probably already have in the cupboard, and bam. Homemade pumpkin spice. Pro tip: Make a big batch, find some cute jars, and give them away as gifts. Your charm meter just skyrocketed.

Maybe make a few extras, tag them with your number, and hand them out in front of Starbucks? Sounds like a brilliant plan to us.

Ingredients:

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

Method:

  1. Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl.
  2. Store in a tightly sealed jar.

That’s it! Now you’re ready to put pumpkin spice on… well, just about anything!

Editors' Recommendations

Lindsay Parrill
Lindsay is a graduate of California Culinary Academy, Le Cordon Bleu, San Francisco, from where she holds a degree in…
How to make chai tea: Tasty recipes for a homemade delight
Creamy, spicy, and sweet, you'll be craving these homemade chai teas recipes after one sip
Small clay cup of Indian chai on a wooden table.

As a beverage, chai has become ubiquitous in America, available everywhere from Starbucks to ice cream. However, most of it is an Americanized version of Indian chai. The traditional Indian chai recipe isn't just a tea bag in hot water — it's a brewing process that combines a mixture of spices, sugar, and milk, forming a beverage that's an integral part of Indian cuisine.
What tea do you use for chai tea?
First, most of the chai consumed in India is known as masala chai (masala means spice blend in Hindi, and chai means tea). A staple in many Indian households and street carts, masala chai can be enjoyed at all hours of the day. Interestingly, while chai is an important part of Indian cuisine, it's a relatively modern addition. Historically, Indians consumed an herbal beverage called kadha, which is based on a 3,000-year-old Hindu Ayurvedic tradition. Tea, a plant native to China, was introduced to India by the British (a nation famously obsessed with tea) in the 19th century. But for Indians, it wasn't until the early 20th century that chai was combined with spices, morphing it into today's popular beverage.

Since Indian masala chai contains an array of spices, strong black tea is the ideal option. For the best teas, choose Assam or Darjeeling, two very popular and common black teas in India. As an option, you can also make the tea stronger or lighter depending on personal tastes. While tea bags will suffice, loose-leaf teas are generally made from higher-quality leaves, producing a better flavor. To save time, you can also make your tea beforehand. Just leave out the milk and place it in the refrigerator when you're ready to store it. To drink, simply heat some tea with the desired sugar and milk and serve.

Read more
How to cook rice perfectly every time, no matter how you choose to make it
These methods mean no more mushy meals or rice stuck to the bottom of the pot
Cooked white rice

Rice is a staple portion of or a whole meal. Practically anywhere in the world, that region's cuisine features rice to some extent. Not only does it go with everything from steak to chicken, but it can also be used in sweet dishes, too (rice pudding, anyone? How about sweet sticky rice with fresh mango?).

Rice is also a perfect dry ingredient to keep on hand when you need a quick meal that will fill you up and leave you satiated, but that also won't break the bank. But it isn't always easy to make. Sometimes it gets mushy, others it sticks to the bottom of the pot. Cooking rice doesn't have to be tricky, though. To help, we’ve put together a guide on how to cook rice perfectly every time, so you can enjoy those tasty grains without the headaches.

Read more
You should know how to make these incredible sauces
Mastering these sauces will make you look like a pro in the kitchen
Bechamel sauce over lasagna

A good sauce is a core component of culinary culture. Knowing how to make a handful of them can elevate your kitchen game to unforeseen heights. Often, a good sauce is the star of the show. After all, what would Thanksgiving turkey be without gravy? Or Eggs Benedict without hollandaise?

Now, we don't expect you to pull a Bearnaise sauce out of your hat at a moment's notice. But you should be able to whip up a solid tomato-based sauce for pasta, or a good teriyaki sauce for rice and veggies or skewered proteins. We know, there are great pre-made options out there, from complex fish sauce to throw-it-on-anything Japanese barbecue sauce. Yet, you know as well as we do that when you pull it off from scratch, it's more rewarding and can even taste better.

Read more