pumpkin pie spices

[peaceful_mama]

What spices go into a pumpkin pie? I found an easy recipe I want to use for DS's school this Friday (a "cake walk" but we can bring pie, bars, anything, and I happen to have several cans of pumpkin)

The recipe calls for 1 1/2 T. "pumpkin pie spice." I remember buying this for a recipe a year or so ago, and I really did not like it, it had too much nutmeg or some spice.

So how do I do it myself? I'm guessing cinnamon and a *small* bit of one of my nutmegs, fresh grated, but what else, if anything?

[ollyoxenfree]

Well, it's a matter of personal taste, but I like a little ginger (not overpowering) and some cloves (again, not overpowering).

I think other typical spices are allspice and perhaps mace.

[peaceful_mama]

actually YES, I take back the statement on nutmeg it was not nutmeg it was CLOVE. I like it....in a SMALL amt.

would it be OK if I just used some cinn. a bit of fresh grated nutmeg and some cloves?

I know I have all of the above, and not the others and it's just not in the budget to go buy other stuff.

[ollyoxenfree]

I think cinnamon, fresh nutmeg and a SMALL pinch of cloves would be a nice blend. You'll have some depth and complexity to the flavours. The problem with cloves is that it's so easy to overwhelm everything else.

If your recipe calls for 2 cups pumpkin puree (which is about standard for a 9 in. pie, I think), then for your 1 1/2 Tbsp. spice I'd probably start with:

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon,
1 tsp. nutmeg
a pinch (1/8 tsp.) of cloves.

This is actually less than 1 1/2 Tbsp. but I'd start with a little less spice at first.
Taste and adjust from there.

[SubliminalDarkness]

I hate cloves. I leave it out entirely.

[KristyDi]

Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. Some people use allspice too.

You can use 1/2 a tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ginger and an 1/8 tsp each of nutmeg and cloves to sub for each tsp of pumpkin pie spice.

You can go less on anything you don't like as much.

[nicky85]

I've been putting in some cardamom too the last few times and it tastes fantastic!

[cristeen]

1.5 T is a lot of spice. The last time i made a pumkin dish w that much spice, i couldnt taste the pumpkin.

I would start w a tsp of cinnamon, a tsp of ginger (doesnt have to be powdered, you can use fresh), 1/2 tsp of nutmeg/mace and 1/4 or 1/8 tsp clove, which i find overpowering.

[Kelilah]

I'd do 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/8 tsp cloves (or just a pinch), and if you have them handy, 1/4 tsp each of cardamom and ginger. I'd also throw in a teaspoon or two of vanilla, rum, brandy, or bourbon. But I like lots of different flavors - if you prefer more of a simple pumpkin taste, then just go with the basic cinnamon-nutmeg-clove combo.

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by nicky85

I've been putting in some cardamom too the last few times and it tastes fantastic!

Ohhh, thanks for this. I was wondering about cardamom, and was even going to suggest it, but I haven't tried it myself. I didn't want to recommend it without trying it. Now I will definitely add some cardamom to my next pumpkin recipe.

[mamadelbosque]

I'd just find a different recipe that calls for actual spices and smell them as you add them and adjust as you see fit... I usualy make the recipe on teh bank of the can

[peaceful_mama]

that's the thing the recipe calls for the p. pie spice and I've used it and not liked it.

[sewchris2642]

My recipe (from Betty Crocker) calls for 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger and 1/4 tsp cloves for a 9" pie (2 cups or a 1 lb can; plain with no added spices). My pumpkin (2 cups or a 1 lb can) bread recipe (also Betty Crocker) calls for 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp cloves for the spices for 2 9" loaves. The pumpkin (1/2 cup of pumpkin) muffin recipe calls for 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp nutmeg for 12 muffins.

Canned pumpkin comes plain or with the spices added. If your spices are overwhelming, make sure you get the plain pumpkin or leave out the spices if they are added to the can of pumpkin.