September is here, school is back in session, the leaves are starting change colors, the hours of daylight are getting shorter and the pumpkin spice EVERYTHING craze has returned. I was recently visiting a trendy health and wellness website and kept seeing articles that contained PS in the title. I finally stopped scrolling to dig a bit deeper and figure out what it meant. You guessed it– Pumpkin Spice. Yes it seems that pumpkin spice is so popular that it has it’s own shorthand form now!
I have memories of baking with my mom as a child and of her asking me to get the tin of pumpkin pie spice out of the cupboard. I think that pumpkin spice was pretty common back then, however the rise of the pumpkin spice phenomenon can largely be credited to Starbucks and the release of their seasonal pumpkin spice latte in 2003. For many, seeing the pumpkin spice latte appear on the Starbucks menu every September is synonymous with the beginning of autumn.
For 12 years Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte didn’t actually contain pumpkin but in 2015 they revamped their recipe and their ingredient list now includes “Pumpkin Pie Flavored Sauce” which is listed as sugar, condensed skim milk, pumpkin puree, coloring and preservative.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve overheard a conversation where someone is sipping on a pumpkin spice latte and comments to their friend “It’s weird, I don’t usually like pumpkin but I love pumpkin spice lattes!”
My guess is that there probably isn’t a ton of actual pumpkin puree in a pumpkin spiced latte and that what people are actually reacting to, enjoying and getting in the autumn feel of things from is the pumpkin spice.
Pumpkin spice contains no actual pumpkin, but rather is the spice blend that has traditionally been used in pumpkin pies. It’s filled with gorgeous, aromatic, warming spices and is perfect for a fall day.
Today I’m going to share with you my DIY pumpkin spice blend recipe and then you can go crazy making pumpkin spice everything… or should I say PS everything. 😉 Read on for the instructions!
Back To Basics- DIY Pumpkin Spice Blend Recipe
Ingredients:
-2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
-1 teaspoon ground ginger
-1 teaspoon ground cloves
-1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
-1 teaspoons ground allspice
Directions:
Combine all 5 ingredients in a small mason jar or container. Mix together and you are done!
Now go off and Pumpkin Spice everything!
Alternatively use whole ingredients for everything besides the ginger and grind in your spice grinder!
Tell me… Are you a fan of autumn? Are you ready for fall to arrive this year? Are you crazy for pumpkin spice everything? What is your favorite food or beverage with pumpkin spice?
A big thank you to my amazing friends at my favorite little produce stand– Hop on Farms. I went there looking for a pumpkin for this photo and even though it was much too early in the season for them to be selling them, they went out into their field to see if they could find a gourd that was orange. They are the best and I love buying my produce there.
Myra M says
It drove me nuts when people complained that there wasn’t pumpkin in a Starbucks PSL. The whole point was it was the spice mix, not the pumpkin. I haven’t liked the new version with pumpkin, so I’m making this mix so I can make my own lattes at home. 🙂
Michelle James says
We love all things pumpkin in our home so I can’t wait to try this recipe out! Thanks for sharing at #merrymonday Hope you will link up with us again!
Emily says
I love adding pumpkin pie spice to baked treats in the Fall. Thanks for linking up with Merry Monday; I’ll be featuring your spice recipe at our upcoming party!
Calvin F. says
Always wondered how they made it, now I know!
Victoria Ess says
This is a great blend to have on hand! I love this flavour!
kathy downey says
Thanks i can’t wait to try this !
Krista M says
Oh I bet this spice blend is so fragrant, just filling the house with that warm, comforting scent!
Kristin says
Crystal, This is just so wonderful! I am so excited to put this together to use! I choose it as one of features for Share Your Style Link Up Party. Thanks for playing along!! http://www.whitearrowshome.com/share-your-style-link-party-176/
Marie says
I don’t like Fall but I love pumpkin spice ANYTHING. Thank you for sharing your awesome spice blend with us at the Talk Of The Town party!