I love all things pumpkin pie spice! It just tastes like fall and makes me all warm and happy. I use the spice blend in my coffee, in my shakes, in desserts – anywhere I can get that flavor for fall. The standard bottle of pumpkin pie spice from the store is okay, but I’ve found the secret to the ultimate pumpkin pie spice blend:

You must have fresh ground nutmeg!

Whole nutmeg is usually sold 5-6 pieces per bottle in most grocery stores. When stored whole instead of ground, nutmeg lasts much longer and has a much stronger, fresher flavor when you do use it. All you need to grind – or actually grate – fresh nutmeg is a microplane grater (mine is in the picture below with half of a nutmeg on it). Simply lay the microplane grater across a bowl. Hold the grater in place with one hand, then rub the whole nutmeg back and forth on the grater until the desired amount is grated into the bowl. Store any remainder of the nutmeg back in the bottle. You can continue grating it next time you need fresh nutmeg. It does take a little time and effort, but your work will be rewarded with amazing flavor!

Now that you know my secret, here is my recipe!

Dana’s Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp fresh ground nutmeg
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground all spice
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves

Directions

Start by grating whole nutmeg into a bowl. Getting the exact amount is not as important as grating it fresh! I put a measuring spoon down into the bowl while grating. It doesn’t sit level, and a good bit of the nutmeg misses the spoon. However, having the measuring spoon in the bowl helps me eyeball the amount needed for the recipe.

Add remaining spices and stir. I’ve found a small whisk to be the best tool for the job. The ground ginger can clump, and the whisk is great for breaking up the small clumps while blending the spices.

Store spice blend in an air tight container.

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