Apple Pie Spice

This post may contain affiliate links. See my privacy policy for details.

Apple pie spice is one of those generic spice blends that are actually really useful to keep around for spicing up some sweet dishes. But why buy a ready-made one when you can just make your own?

Why not use this Apple Pie Spice to make some Apple Brown Betty? Or some Classic Apple Pie instead?

Apple Pie Spice

Apple pie spice is really just a very basic blend that is heavy on the cinnamon and filled with tasty spices that help accentuate sweet and autumnal dishes.

Traditionally used in apple pies, hence the name, apple pie spice is actually incredibly versatile, able to slot into all sorts of different delicious pies and desserts.

This spice blend keeps really well as long as you keep it in a tightly lidded jar and make sure that it doesn’t spend too much time exposed to the air.                                                                      

Apple Pie Spice Ingredients

Make sure you look at the recipe card at the very bottom for the exact amounts.

• Ground cinnamon

• Ground nutmeg

• Ground cardamom

• Ground allspice

• Ground ginger

• Ground cloves

How To Make Apple Pie Spice

• Mix all of the spices in a small bowl using a whisk

• Store in a lidded jar

• Use as a simple 1:1 replacement for regular apple pie spice

Where To Find Some Of The Spices For This Recipe

While many of us live near well-stocked supermarkets, not all of us have the ability to readily go out and find some allspice berries.

I usually find allspice already ground in a small tin. Consider supporting your local Indian grocery or Chinese grocery store. They don’t just sell an amazing variety of foods, but they also stock all kinds of spices endemic to their culture. Not only that, but they also tend to sell those spices at excellent prices!

How To Improve The Flavor Of Your Spice Blend

This recipe uses some ready prepared, pre-ground spices to get the right balance, but there’s no rule saying that you have to only use the pre-ground stuff.

IF you can get a hold of some whole spices, you can improve the flavor of your apple pie spice blend massively.

For starters, pre-ground spice mixes have a lot more surface area than the little particles of spice, meaning that they are much more likely to become oxidized and lose their flavor over time. By using whole spices, you get a much fresher and more intense spiciness.

To use whole spices, it is best to simply crush up the amount you think you will need, using either a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder. Though you might only want a quarter teaspoon or half a tablespoon of actual spice, it is almost impossible to really figure out the amount of ground spice the whole thing will actually provide once it is broken up into a powder.

How to Toast Whole Spices

Whole spices also allow you to amplify the flavor by toasting your spices. Put the whole spices in a dry pan set over low heat, and cook them, swirling the pan every few seconds to prevent burning.

This will activate lots of delicious aromatic compounds, making the spices taste even better. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before grinding them up to let the compounds reabsorb into the spices, and you will end up with a tastier, much more intensely flavored spice blend. 

Looking for more delicious Dessert recipes? Try these out:

• Blueberry Buckle

• Chocolate Delight Recipe

• Lemon Cherry Crunch Cake

Enjoy!

Love,

Karlynn

 Pin This Recipe To Your Baking Recipes Board and Remember to FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST!