How to Make Your Own Pumpkin Spice

Autumn has delicious flavors.....nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves.  Cooking with these make the whole house smell deliciously fall-like.  One of my favorite flavors this time of year is pumpkin spice.  It incorporates all my favorite flavors in one delicious taste.  You can do so much with it!  Many people think that it is strictly for pumpkin pie, or pumpkin cheesecake, but I am here to tell you there is so much more!

First let's make the pumpkin spice from scratch, because it tastes so much better when made with fresh, organic ingredients.

Pumpkin Spice Mix Recipe

• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1.5 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

​If  you don't have the ingredients, or don't want to make  your own Pumpkin Spice, I recommend Simply Organic.  I have used it in the past and it is really delicious!

Simply Organic
Pumpkin Spice

Just mix everything together and place in an air tight container.  

Now I want to share with you three of my favorite recipes that use pumpkin spice.  All of them have been adjusted a bit over the years to achieve perfection, or at least ultimate deliciousness, in our opinion.  (the hubby and I)  Feel free to adjust it to your own liking!
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Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer
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• 2 cups powdered coffee creamer
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 to 3 teaspoons pumpkin spice 

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Bowl with Spoon

Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix with a whisk until completely blended.  I use the sugar bowl in the picture above to store my coffee creamer.

Spicy Pumpkin Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups real butter, softened
• 2 1/4 cups white sugar
• 2 medium eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 1/2 cups general purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt​

Directions
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1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
2. With an electric mixer, mix the 2 cups of sugar and the butter in a mixing bowl until smooth
3. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until creamy
4. Place the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl and whisk until mixed 
5. Slowly add flour and spice mixture to the wet ingredients in the bowl until thoroughly mixed and dough forms
6. Place plastic wrap over the mixing bowl and chill dough in the refrigerator for one hour
7. Place the remaining sugar in a small bowl with a pinch of cinnamon and stir.
8. Spray cookie sheets with cooking spray
9. Drop the cookie dough onto the cookie sheet with a teaspoon, leaving 2 inches of space between cookies
10. Flatten the cookies down a bit with the back of the spoon, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar
11. Bake until golden, 7 to 10 minutes

Spicy Pumpkin Bread Pudding

​Ingredients:
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• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of pumpkin spice
• 3 cups milk (whole or 2%)
• 3 medium eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 15 oz can of pumpkin puree
• 6 cups bread cubes, cut 2" x 2" or smaller
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans​

Springform Pan with
​Removable Sides

​Directions:
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1. Heat oven to 350º F
2. Grease bottom and side of 10 inch springform pan
3. In the mixing bowl of an electric mixer, place brown sugar, pumpkin spice, milk, eggs, vanilla and pumpkin puree and beat on slow till well mixed
4. Remove bowl from mixer, and stir in bread cubes, raisins and 1/2 cup of chopped pecans, manually.
5. Cover with a towel and let stand for 10 minutes
6. Pour into springform pan. Sprinkle the rest of the pecans on top.
7. Bake 50 minutes and stick a knife into the middle.  If it comes out clean, remove from oven, if not, then bake for 10 more minutes and try the knife again.  Keep baking in ten minute increments until the knife comes out clean.
8. Let the pudding cool for 5 to 10 minutes, then remove the side of the springform pan and serve warm.

I serve mine with ice cream or whipped topping, and it is a slice of heaven!  I am a total fan of any kind of bread pudding, but this is one of my favorites.  If you have any left, you need to cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator.
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Cooking in the fall is the best!  It makes the house smell so good.  It is like the aroma of fun to come.  Halloween is right around the corner, and that is just the beginning!

Have a great weekend,

​Jade    :)

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My Favorite Serving Plate for Fall

Pfaltzgraff Sculpted Pumpkin Serving Plate

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