Instructions
Apple Pie Spice Flavor
Maximize your coziness with McCormick Apple Pie Spice, a balanced blend of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Aromatic and bursting with flavor, this spice blend brings the taste of warm sweet spices to every dish. It’s perfect for classic fall apple desserts, while its rich, warming profile adds comforting flavor to breakfasts, ciders, and savory sides all year long.
What is Apple Pie Spice?
Apple Pie Spice is a blend containing a mixture of warm spices that deliver a balanced flavor without needing to pull multiple spice jars from your pantry. The ultimate shortcut for holiday baking, Apple Pie Spice is a versatile kitchen staple that elevates breakfast dishes, hot beverages, and even roasted vegetables.
What Ingredients Are in Apple Pie Spice?
McCormick Apple Pie Spice features a perfectly curated blend of three warm spices:
- Cinnamon: The main ingredient in Apple Pie Spice, cinnamon provides a sweet and woody warmth
- Nutmeg: Adds a nutty complexity and gentle sharpness
- Allspice: Delivers a peppery finish reminiscent of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg combined
Because it contains no added sugar, grains, or fillers, McCormick Apple Pie Spice fits naturally into Paleo, Vegetarian, Vegan, and Low-FODMAP dietary preferences.
How to Make Apple Pie Spice Mix at Home
If you run out of McCormick Apple Pie Spice while cooking or baking, you can create a homemade substitute using individual ground spices from your pantry.
DIY Apple Pie Spice Blend Ratio (for 1 tablespoon)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Allspice
DIY Apple Pie Spice Blend Ratio
- 9 parts Ground Cinnamon
- 2 parts Ground Nutmeg
- 1 part Ground Allspice
Whisk these spices together in a small bowl until combined, then store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
How Much Apple Pie Spice for One Pie?
In our Easy Apple Pie recipe for one 9-inch pie, we recommend using 1½ teaspoons of McCormick Apple Pie Spice for 8 apples, or about 8 cups of sliced apples.
Apple Pie Spice Substitutes and Comparisons
Understanding how Apple Pie Spice compares to other warm cabinet spice staples can help you make adjustments when cooking or baking.
What Can I Use Instead of Apple Pie Spice?
If you don’t have Apple Pie Spice or all three individual ingredients (cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice), ground cinnamon is the best primary substitute. Replace Apple Pie Spice with an equal amount of ground cinnamon or mix 1 teaspoon cinnamon with a pinch of nutmeg or allspice.
Apple Pie Spice vs. Pumpkin Pie Spice
While both McCormick pie spices are comforting holiday staples, they have two distinct flavor profiles:
- Apple Pie Spice relies on cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice for a lighter, sweeter, and more fruit-forward spice profile.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice includes ginger which adds a zesty bite designed to cut through earthy ingredients like pumpkin puree.
How to Use Apple Pie Spice in Cooking & Baking
Don’t limit your use of Apple Pie Spice to simply making pies! Apple Pie Spice is a great spice to use in a variety of sweet and savory dishes.
Classic Apple Desserts
This blend is all you need for fruit desserts like apple pies, tarts, apple crisps, baked apples, and homemade applesauce. It cuts through the natural tartness of apples and highlights their natural sweetness.
Breakfast Favorites
Mix things up by substituting Apple Pie Spice for plain ground cinnamon in your morning routine. Stir it into oatmeal, sprinkle it over French toast, fold it into pancake or waffle batter, or dust it onto homemade granola and muffins.
Cozy Beverages
Add a pinch to your morning hot coffee, espresso, or hot cocoa for an instant upgrade. During the holidays, simmer Apple Pie Spice into fresh apple cider or red wine for a delicious drink.
Fruit & Savory Dishes
Sprinkle a bit of Apple Pie Spice over oiled sweet potatoes, butternut squash, or carrots before roasting. It also brings a sweet warmth when tossed into fresh fruit salads or incorporated into a glaze for pork chops or tenderloins.
Does Apple Pie Spice Go Bad?
Ground spice blends do not spoil or expire in a way that makes them unsafe, but they do lose their potency over time. For optimal flavor, you should use your spices by the date on the McCormick bottle. Keeping your bottle tightly closed with its McCormick SnapTight™ lid in a cool pantry away from heat, steam, and direct sunlight can also keep your spices lasting longer. Learn more about spice longevity here!
Flavors That Go with Apple Pie Spice
Build deeper flavor into your recipes by pairing McCormick Apple Pie Spice with complementary flavors:
- Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract rounds out the sharp spices of nutmeg and allspice, bringing a smooth and sweet finish to baked fruit fillings and whipped cream.
- Ginger: Adding a pinch of ground ginger gives Apple Pie Spice a warm kick that works great in gingerbread cookies and spice cakes.
- Cloves: A pinch of ground cloves enhances the woodsy allspice notes, perfect for deep winter mulled drinks or cider.
- Brown Sugar: The rich molasses in brown sugar caramelizes with the cinnamon in Apple Pie Spice, creating a rich glaze for baked apples and pork dishes.
Favorite Recipes Featuring Apple Pie Spice
Bring a touch of warmth and sweetness to every dish with these simple ways to use McCormick Apple Pie Spice
- Easy Apple Pie Recipe
- Mini Apple Pie Recipe
- Apple Pie Whoopie Pies
- Apple Pie Float
- Air Fryer Apple Fritters
- Apple Cider Donut Holes
