What exactly is apple pie spice?

Pumpkin spice may get all the attention as the calendar heads into fall, but its lesser-known cousin, apple pie spiceis worthy of sharing the spotlight. So what exactly is apple pie spice and how do you use it?

A spice that is everything nice

Pie seasoning, such as apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spiceare spice blends designed to simplify your baking while also delivering maximum flavor. Each brand has its own proprietary blend, so no two bottles of pie spice will be the same. But all will contain a variety of warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, meaning you can just reach for a jar to measure out and add to your dish, rather than having to rummage through your spice racks. for a laundry list of individual spices. And if you have limited pantry space, a spice blend can help reduce the amount of special spices you need to keep on hand.

King Arthur's Apple Pie Spice it's a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice—hallmarks of the classic apple pie flavor. Other blends may contain mace instead of nutmeg, which is botanically related and has a similar flavor, and sometimes ground cardamom and/or ginger. (Pumpkin pie spice, on the other hand, usually contains some additional spices, especially cloves, and is not always as strong with cinnamon as apple pie spice.)

Apple Pie Spice does Babka apple pie tastes exactly like its name.

(Apple) spice it up

Apple pie spice flavored with cinnamon flowers can be used apple pie fillingof course, but also in your favorite fall recipes. Try it in any baking recipe where apples are the star, such as confectionery, muffin, sconesOR fresh appleor anywhere a hint of warm spice is welcome, like sprinkled on oatmeal or mixed with sugar as a coating for donuts. Apple pie spice is also a great accompaniment to apple cider, whether mixed directly into a steaming cup, added to apple cider candiesor included in a cider cake.

How to make your own apple pie spice

If you don't have a jar of apple pie spice on hand, you can make your own by mixing together 1 tsp. cinnamon1/4 teaspoon nutmegand 1/4 tsp allspice (or ginger). And yes, you can swap pumpkin pie spice for apple pie smell in a pinch; just know that the flavors won't be quite the same.