Oh boy... Pumpkin spice... Well I suppose I had to get to this one eventually, didn't I? You can't very well talk about spices and just ignore pumpkin spice entirely. Even if you really, really want to. First, let's get this out of the way. It is NOT pumpkin spice. It is not a spice used for seasoning pumpkins. No, it is called pumpkin pie spice. Because it is used for pies. It contains nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger and cloves, and optionally allspice and mace. You'll also see use for it in apple tarts and other delicious fall favorites. I mean... not that I use it...
If absolutely must use it and care to make your own, it's two parts nutmeg and ginger, one part everything else. Try not to make too much since it doesn't keep especially well (dried ginger in particular can be a bit like chalk) and... well I mean you're not gonna keep using it because I certainly wouldn't. Nope, I don't find myself much use for pumpkin spice. I mean pumpkin pie spice. I barely touch the stuff.
All of the spices in this blend have a warm, earthy taste and a bit of sweetness to them. Many American pastries use a similar flavor profile. It works very well in many of your favorites, from gingerbread, to kugel, to apple pie, to snickerdoodles, to lattes, to... Wait, I mean, no! Never put it in coffee! That's only for basics who blindly follow trends! Ew! We don't do that at this blog! This is a serious blog for spice lovers!
Now, since I absolutely, positively, never, ever, ever put it in lattes, I'm going to give you an actual pumpkin pie recipe. The fine people at Melange, my favorite spice store hands down, recently put up one of their own and I'd like to share it with you here. Pumpkin pie is easily my favorite pie and this is a great recipe to... I mean... No! Pumpkin pie is just OK! I'm not into pumpkin spice! Really! I'm not!
In conclusion, pumpkin pie spice is a great addition to baked desserts and evokes the fall season with its earthy warmth. It's one of the most celebrated and beloved parts of autumn festivals and... it tastes so good and... OH GOD I NEED MORE PUMPKIN SPICE! MUST HAVE MORE!!! GIVE ME ALL THE LATTES! I DON'T CARE IF I'M BASIC I NEEEEEEEEEEEED IT!!!!
...please don't tell anyone...
