There are certain fall spices, like cinnamon and cloves, that are ideal for baking. They warm your heart, keep your tummy happy and taste incredible—especially when combined. And while you can take the time to measure out each of your spices every time you bake, there’s a blend that combines all your favorite flavors: apple pie spice.
What is in apple pie spice?
It’s a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. You can also add cardamom, cloves or ginger, depending on your palate, to create a custom blend.
How to Make Apple Pie Spice
For this recipe, you’ll want a mini jar to store your blend. You’ll make a good amount, so don’t waste any!
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons nutmeg
- 1-1/2 teaspoons allspice
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, then use a small whisk or fork to blend spices together. Transfer to a mini jar and store tightly covered. Use in your favorite apple pie recipes!
Make the Apple Pie Spice Blend Your Own
If you prefer one spice over the others, feel free to experiment with your apple pie spice recipe. Adjust the ratios to ensure you’re hitting your favorite flavor combo, and if you’re interested in introducing other spices into the mix, consider adjusting the recipe as follows:
Infuse it with ginger
Ginger has a very distinct taste that can elevate your bake. Add 1/2 teaspoon to your apple pie spice to add a flowery note.
Add a hint of cloves
Cloves are incredibly powerful—one whiff and you’ll be transported to the holiday season. Use this spice lightly; it can easily overpower your blend. Add 1/8 teaspoon to the recipe above for a powerful kick.
Sprinkle in some cardamom
Cardamom is not as aromatic as cinnamon, but it still packs a flavorful punch. It’s a milder spice that can still bring a lot to the table, adding a slightly earthy taste to your blend. Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon to your blend, depending on your taste.
How to Use Apple Pie Spice in Your Recipes
You’ve got your apple pie spice blend, a blue-ribbon snickerdoodle recipe and a can-do attitude—now what? You can use apple pie spice in place of warm spices in all kinds of recipes. You can do a 1-for-1 substitution while baking. If the recipe calls for a tablespoon of cinnamon, use a tablespoon of your blend. If it calls for a teaspoon of cinnamon and a 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg, use 1-1/2 teaspoons of your blend.
Don’t forget to experiment! Half the fun of creating a new spice blend is testing how many recipes you can use it in. This apple pie spice is great for cookies, crumbles and—obviously—pies, but try using it in other recipes that are cinnamon- or nutmeg-heavy, like a hearty batch of cinnamon rolls or a bowl of oatmeal.
Our Best Apple Pie-Inspired Recipes
Easy Mini Caramel Apple CheesecakesCheesecake is the ultimate comfort food, but a big slice can be too rich. These bite-sized cheesecakes topped with apples and creamy caramel dazzle the senses. —Brandie Cranshaw, Rapid City, South Dakota
Apple Pie Cupcakes with Cinnamon ButtercreamThese apple pie cupcakes are always a hit! They are so easy to make and the flavor just screams fall. Of course, they're equally delicious any other time of year. —Jennifer Stowell, Deep River, Iowa
Tailgate Apple PiesMade as single servings, these handheld pies are ideal for football games or other parties. They always disappear quickly. You can also use large cookie cutters to create holiday shapes in the tender pastry. For Valentine's Day, I cut a small heart into the top crust. —Jennifer Stoltz, Spring Green, Wisconsin
Apple Pie Steel-Cut OatmealI absolutely love this slow-cooked oatmeal. The steel-cut oats have so much flavor and texture. My family sprinkles toasted pecans on top whenever possible. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
Apple Pie Ricotta WafflesI had apples and ricotta cheese to use up, so instead of making a pie I decided to do something different. The result was these fluffy, tender waffles with just a hint of sweetness. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Healthy Apple CrispThis easy dish is a tradition in my family. It's as quick as a boxed cake mix but it's a healthier dessert choice. It's ideal in fall when it seems that everyone has a bag or two of fresh apples to give away! —Terri Wetzel, Roseburg, Oregon
Sparkling Apple Pie on the RocksThis is the perfect fall cocktail. Apple cider mixed with a cinnamon caramel apple simple syrup and topped with bubbly—it's the best holiday drink ever! —Becky Hardin, St. Peters, Missouri
Grain-Free Apple Pie GranolaBecause of food allergies, I’ve learned to swap ingredients. There are no grains in this granola but loads of nuts and apples. Try it with yogurt or milk. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Apple Pie BitesThese apple pie bites are fun for kids to make. Simply wrap strips of pastry around apple wedges and shake on some cinnamon-sugar. Then just bake and watch them disappear! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Apple Pie BarsThis is only one of many wonderful recipes that my mother handed down to me. With their flaky crust and scrumptious fruit filling, these delicious apple pie bars are the perfect way to serve apple pie to a crowd.—Janet English, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Apple Caramel Cheesecake BarsThe streusel topping that comes with this recipe for apple cream cheese bars is absolutely irresistible. If you can’t resist a “taste test” before a party, just arrange each apple bar on a serving platter and no one will know a piece is missing from the pan! —Katherine White, Henderson, Nevada
Apple Yogurt ParfaitsGet the morning started right with this super simple four-ingredient parfait. Try chunky or flavored applesauce for an easy variation. —Rebekah Radewahn, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Apple Dumplings with SauceThis warm and comforting apple dumplings recipe is incredible by itself or served with ice cream. You can decorate each dumpling by cutting 1-inch leaves and a 1/2-inch stem from the leftover dough. —Robin Lendon, Cincinnati, Ohio
Nutty Apple Streusel DessertMany people don't think of using a slow cooker to make dessert, but I like having this hot, scrumptious apple treat waiting to be served when we finish up our dinner. I start it in the morning and don't think about it all day. —Jacki Every, Rotterdam, New York
Winning Apple CrispI live in apple country, and making a delicious apple crisp is one way to use the fruit. This treat doesn’t take a lot of time to assemble. —Gertrude Bartnick, Portage, Wisconsin
Caramel Apple StrudelMy father, who was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, would tell us stories about how his mother covered all the kitchen counters with dough whenever she made apple strudel. This recipe is a modern, delicious way to carry on part of my family's heritage. —Sarah Haengel, Bowie, Maryland
Glazed Apple-Maple BlondiesMy 6-year-old son and I conjured up this recipe to use the last of the apples we picked from the local apple orchard. Each bar goes beautifully with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream. —Heather Bates, Athens, Maine
Dutch Apple Pie TartletsThese adorable mini apple pie pastries make a delightful addition to a dessert buffet or snack tray. The recipe calls for convenient frozen phyllo shells, so they're surprisingly easy to prepare. The lemon curd filling adds a unique flavor twist. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
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[rms_recipe id="155782" title="Apple Hand Pies" cta_text="Go to Recipe" image="https://www.tasteofhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Caramelized-Apple-Hand-Pies_exps155782_TH2847293D12_06_7b_C_RMS-4.jpg" image_alt_text="Caramelized Apple Hand Pies Recipe photo by Taste of Home" link="https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/caramelized-apple-hand-pies/"]Caramelized apples are tucked into these apple hand pies that no one expects you to share! — Edwina Gadsby, Hayden, Idaho
Oma's Apfelkuchen (Grandma's Apple Cake)My husband’s German family calls this
Oma’s apfelkuchen, which translates to "Grandma’s apple cake." They’ve been sharing the recipe for more than 150 years. I use Granny Smith apples, but any variety works. —Amy Kirchen, Loveland, Ohio
Updated: Jul. 25, 2019
