Recipes for Nourishment - Pantry Items

Pumpkin Spice

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Yields about 50g/20 servings (1 teaspoon per serving)

Description:

After moving to Germany from the States, there was definitely one thing I missed (among other things, yes) whenever Fall blustered in with its chilly air and falling leaves - Pumpkin Spice. Even now in Germany, or in Europe you do find the occasional pumpkin spice latte, but for me, it was more about the baking. Pumpkin spice cinnamon rolls anyone? Or pumpkin pie? Or pumpkin spice granola? The list goes on and on and maybe at the end of a frigid, dark day, all you need is a warming cup of steam-up milk mixed with warming spices. While back then, the difficulty to find this spice mixture was near to impossible, I just started mixing-up my own that I can quickly add to anything in the making. 

The win-win situation, is that these spices also bring a range of health benefits that include: supporting digestion, boosting blood circulation, reducing inflammation, acting carminative, contain antioxidants, and are naturally antibacterial. Therefore, relax, warm up a steaming cup of milk (of your choice), add a 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of this warming pumpkin spice mix, a drop of honey and just embrace the coziness and goodness of this season. 

Pumpkin spice ingredients on cutting board next to pumpkins
Pumpkin spice in bowl on table next to pumpkins

Ingredients:

Preparation:

  • 6 tablespoons cinnamon

  • 4 teaspoons ground ginger

  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground clove

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground all spice

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom 

  • 1 1/2 teaspoon dried, powdered orange (optional)

Pumpkin spice in bowl on table next to pumpkins

Directions:

  1. Mix together all the spices in a small bowl and pour into a labeled spice container or glass jar

  2. Store in a cool, dark place.

Notes:

  • For baking recipes usually 1 - 2 teaspoons is enough to spike up your beaked good. You can easily substitute the cinnamon in a recipe with this mixture. 

  • As mentioned in the description, for a warming pumpkin spice latte just stir 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin spice mixture with warm milk and a drop of honey. Add an espresso shot if you are feeling crazy. If you would like more of a pumpkin spice punch, then by all means, try 1 teaspoon. Enjoy!