Apple Pie Spice Recipe - Honeybunch Hunts (2024)

FAQs

What does apple pie spice contain? ›

What is apple pie spice made of? Most pre-made apple pie spices are made from a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, but some also might contain cardamom and ginger, too, depending on the brand.

Pumpkin Pie Spice vs Apple Pie Spice

Apple pie spice is made of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and occasionally cardamom. Pumpkin spice includes a combination of those ingredients except for cardamom, but the key difference between the two is that pumpkin spice contains cloves.

Apple pie spice is a blend of various ground spices. On the other hand, allspice is a standalone spice derived from the berry of the Pimenta dioica plant. Not only do the two have different flavor profiles, but they also serve different uses in cooking.

It's super easy to make your own apple pie spice substitute: Just combine 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon with 2 teaspoons each each ground nutmeg and allspice. You can make this mixture in bulk and store in a spice jar in your spice cabinet. Use your homemade blend as an even swap for apple pie spice in any recipe.

Depending on which blend you buy (or make), apple pie spice can include different ground spices. For instance, McCormick lists just cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice among its ingredients. Meanwhile, The Spice House's version is a bit more complex with cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise, allspice, ginger, and cloves.

Substitutes for Allspice include using a combination of cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon as well as similar spice blends such as pumpkin pie spice (with some added pepper to achieve the savory notes of allspice) or apple pie spice.

Apple pie spice is commonly used in apple-based desserts. It contains mostly cinnamon and small amounts of nutmeg, allspice, cardamom, and ginger. As such, it takes on a strong cinnamon flavor. You can use apple pie spice in most recipes that call for nutmeg.

A good substitute for cinnamon in apple pie is the aptly named apple pie spice. This is a good alternative because cinnamon is a key ingredient in apple pie spice. Other good substitutes include nutmeg and allspice (use 1/4 amount).

If you have apple pie spice on hand, you're in luck. "If you have apple pie spice, use it in place of pumpkin pie spice, as they contain the same ingredients, except apple pie spice has a little cardamom," he explains, adding that cardamom tends to balance the tart of apples.

Allspice is a spice made from the dried berries of a plant known as Pimenta dioica, which is a member of the myrtle family. The flavor of allspice brings to mind cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and pepper. Allspice is used in Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and Latin American cuisines, among others.

What's a replacement for allspice? ›

The brand also recommends using a trio of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to make a substitute but prefers these ratios: ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg, and ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves. Use as a 1:1 substitute in a recipe that calls for one teaspoon of allspice.

While allspice is a spice on its own, not a blend, it's very easy to create a similar-tasting mixture with spices you already have in your kitchen. Whisk 3½ teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1¼ teaspoons ground nutmeg and a pinch of ground cloves, then use as a 1:1 replacement for ground allspice in a recipe.

It wasn't until 1621 that the British named the berry “Allspice”, due to its strong aromatic flavour & combined aromas of Cloves, Pepper, Cinnamon & Nutmeg.

Allspice does not not have the licorice taste of star anise. Allspice can be used as a straight swap for star anise. A pinch of sugar or pepper can elevate the spice substitution.

Combine apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg in a bowl. Place mixture into the prepared pie plate. Dot with butter. Cover with top crust and seal.