If it's autumn, chances are you're baking a pie with the irresistible flavors of apple and spice. Then, just when you've measured all your ingredients and worked hard to perfect the best pie crust ever, it happens.
You check your kitchen cabinets, spice rack, and secret storage nooks and crannies in vain. You realize you don't have any apple pie spice to make your pie the award-winning dessert it's meant to be. Do you simply throw everything away or try to salvage what you have so you can run to the store? No amount of lemon juice will protect your sliced apples from browning if you give up now.
There are actually much better options available that won't be difficult or waste any precious baking time. They involve a few key ingredients you probably have in your spice cabinet already. Before you know it, your pie is saved, along with many other autumn apple desserts that use apple pie spice.
Our guide ahead can help prevent further apple pie spice emergencies and make it an easy fix every time. Be sure to make a lot of apple pie spice substitute, so you have it on hand the next time you're inspired to get some autumn baking done!
What can I use if I Don't Have Apple pie Spice?
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Though having apple pie spice is convenient, it's very simple to make your own with just a few ingredients. All you need is cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Cinnamon is the most important part of apple pie spice for American pies. Its warming flavor is unmistakable when taking a big bite of apple or pumpkin pie. Nutmeg offers an earthy contrast, while allspice includes a bit of both, plus some hearty cloves.
The ratio is usually three parts cinnamon to two parts nutmeg and two parts allspice. With this ratio, you can make as much apple pie spice as needed for as many fall dessert recipes as possible. Feel free to add a pinch of other ingredients like ginger or cardamom for some extra spicy or citrusy notes.
How do you Substitute 1 Teaspoon of Apple Pie Spice?
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The most common way to substitute 1 teaspoon of apple pie spice is with a 2:1 ratio using ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg. As for the remaining ¼ teaspoon, you can keep each of those to a "pinch" of other spices, depending on your taste. Whether adding more cinnamon, less nutmeg, or leaving out cloves and ginger, your apple pie spice will suit you perfectly.
Make sure to keep your homemade apple pie spice blend in an airtight container, so it stays fresh and doesn't harden. Use an empty spice jar that's labeled when adding to other scrumptious fall recipes like apple pie croissants.
Are Pumpkin Pie Spice and Apple Pie Spice the Same?
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Pumpkin pie spice and apple pie spice are essentially the same spice blend that can be used interchangeably. They both mostly consist of cinnamon and nutmeg. Pumpkin pie spice also includes extras like cloves, ginger, and sometimes cardamon, so keep that slight flavor variation in mind. Cloves are a strong flavor to some, but if they find their way into your apple pie, the result may be a bit more earthy or spicy.
A good rule of thumb is to use ¾ the measurement of pumpkin pie spice for an apple pie. For example, ¾ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice equals 1 teaspoon apple pie spice. It's best to start there and increase if you wish to have a more intense, deep spice flavor.
Can I use Cinnamon Instead of Apple Pie Spice?
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If your cupboards are mostly bare and all you have spice-wise is cinnamon, you can most definitely substitute cinnamon for apple pie spice. Most vintage pie recipes only used cinnamon, though the result may lack a bit of flavor complexity.
Use half the apple pie spice measurement given in the recipe when just using cinnamon. Two teaspoons of apple pie spice become one teaspoon of cinnamon. An apple pie flavored with cinnamon is delicious as it is, so don't get too hung up on the other ingredients.
What is the Difference Between Allspice and Apple Pie Spice?
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Apple pie spice is a traditional blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice (with the occasional cloves, ginger, or cardamom). Allspice is its own distinct baking spice consisting of the ground-up dried berry of the myrtle pepper tree. You can just as easily make your own substitution for 1 teaspoon of allspice. Use ¾ teaspoon cinnamon and either ¼ teaspoon nutmeg or ¼ teaspoon cloves. In addition to spice cakes and pies, allspice adds tons of flavor to savory ingredients, from sausages to a ham glaze.
What Other Spice Blends can I use When Making an Apple Pie?
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You don't have to stop at cinnamon, apple pie spice, or allspice when it comes to making apple pie. For the more adventurous spice lovers among us, Chinese Five Spice is a unique blend of cinnamon, cloves, star anise, fennel seeds, and Sichuan pepper. The usual spice suspects are present here, but you get an extra kick from the addition of star anise and Sichuan pepper. Chinese Five Spice also adds an interesting twist to a spice cake recipe.
For an apple pie, you might want to add equal parts cinnamon and Chinese Five Spice for a more balanced approach. You can also start out with a pinch of Chinese Five Spice along with the regular measurement of cinnamon to test the waters. Your apple pie will absolutely stand out among the rest this autumn! Plus, Chinese Five Spice is one powerful spice blend to keep around your kitchen all year long.
