Homemade pumpkin Spice Blend

A Spice Blend Worth Falling For: Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg & Clove

There’s something utterly romantic about a spice blend. Four humble powders, often tucked away in the back of a pantry, just waiting for the moment when a loaf of banana bread or a simmering apple compote calls them to center stage. But this blend—my go-to combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves—isn’t just for fall nostalgia or holiday baking. It’s the quiet hero of my kitchen year-round.

It’s not fancy. It doesn’t come in a jar from some trendy, overpriced gourmet shop. It was born out of curiosity, necessity, and a dash of rebellion—because I wanted something better than the flat, stale, store-bought “pumpkin spice” that never quite lived up to its promise. This blend is simple: 2 tablespoons of cinnamon, 2 teaspoons of ground ginger, 2 teaspoons of nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon of cloves. But the magic it brings to a dish? Oh, darling. Let me tell you.

The Art of Blending: A Memory in Every Stir

I remember the first time I made this blend. It was late September, and my kids were bouncing off the walls, high on the hope that Mom would make something sweet. I had bananas darkening on the counter and a craving for warmth in both my kitchen and my heart. So I grabbed my spices—cinnamon from Sri Lanka, ginger with a kick like a sassier cousin, nutmeg fresh from a friend’s grinder, and cloves that still had a twinkle of Christmas about them.

As I mixed them together, I was flooded with memories. My grandmother’s molasses cookies. The mug of warm cider my husband and I shared under twinkling lights at a German Christmas market. The gingerbread houses the kids decorated with such pride and uncoordinated icing.

This was more than a spice blend. This was a time capsule in a jar.

Why Homemade Always Wins (Even in Spice Form)

Store-bought spice blends often sit on shelves for months—sometimes years. By the time they reach your cabinet, they’ve already lost their potency and, in some cases, gained unnecessary additives. And don’t even get me started on the artificial “natural flavor” mystery. Homemade spice blends, however, are pure. You know exactly what’s going in them, and you can adjust the ratios to suit your taste buds and your mood.

Want it a little spicier? Add more ginger. Prefer mellow and sweet? Ease up on the cloves. Like everything in from-scratch living, you’re in control—and isn’t that the beauty of it all?

When we cook from scratch, even with something as simple as a spice blend, we reclaim a bit of what we’ve lost in the age of convenience. We reconnect with the old ways—methods that nourished our ancestors, built strong bodies, and even stronger families. We slow down. We measure. We stir. We inhale deeply.

Let’s Talk Health

Spices are more than flavor—they’re medicine. Nature’s medicine, wrapped in warm, fragrant form.

• Cinnamon is well-known for its blood-sugar-regulating abilities. It’s rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that make it a daily staple in my kitchen.

• Ginger supports digestion, eases nausea, and is a powerful anti-inflammatory. In our home, it’s one of the first things I turn to when someone starts sniffling or feeling off.

• Nutmeg contains compounds that support brain health and sleep. Plus, it adds a depth of flavor that rounds out the sharper notes in any blend.

• Cloves are antimicrobial, support liver health, and pack a serious antioxidant punch. They’re strong and bold—but when used with care, they bring balance and warmth.

Put them all together, and you have a spice blend that not only tastes like home—but also supports your body in real, tangible ways. It’s the perfect example of how food can be both medicine and memory.

How I Use It (and How You Should, Too)

This blend isn’t reserved for just one season. It’s year-round warmth.

• I toss it into pancake batter on chilly mornings.

• I sprinkle it over roasted carrots or sweet potatoes with a drizzle of maple syrup.

• I mix it into oatmeal, stirred slowly on the stove while the house is still quiet.

• It finds its way into muffins, banana breads, energy balls, and apple crisps.

• I’ve even added a pinch to a cup of coffee or herbal tea on days that need a little more comfort.

And let me just say, this blend and fresh-milled flour? They’re soulmates. Together they create depth, texture, and an aroma that could stop a freight train of toddlers in their tracks (which is saying something).

From-Scratch Spice, From-Scratch Life

I know we live in a world that sells shortcuts as luxury. But true luxury, I think, is knowing the story of what you’re eating. It’s watching your child take a bite of warm cinnamon-spiced muffins and knowing exactly what went into them—no preservatives, no seed oils, no lab-created flavors. Just the good stuff.

Making your own spice blends might not seem like a big deal. But it is. Every small from-scratch choice adds up. And these small habits, repeated with love, have a ripple effect: in your home, in your health, in your legacy.

That’s why I keep a little jar of this blend on my spice shelf, always ready. It’s not just for baking—it’s for reminding me that simplicity is powerful. That old-fashioned isn’t outdated. And that something as simple as cinnamon and cloves, stirred by hand and poured with purpose, can bring beauty, comfort, and health into my home.

A Final Note from My Kitchen to Yours

If you’ve never made your own spice blends before, let this be your first. It takes five minutes—ten, if the kids “help”—and it will change your baking forever. You’ll never go back to those dusty jars again. And every time you scoop out a teaspoon, you’ll be adding a little more love, a little more nourishment, and a little more joy into whatever you’re making.

Because cooking from scratch isn’t about being fancy or perfect. It’s about being present. About building traditions. About taking back your health one tiny choice at a time.

So go ahead. Grab your cinnamon and your cloves. Mix them together and start something beautiful.

From my spice-scented kitchen to yours—with love and just a little sass.

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Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix

This cozy homemade warming spice blend combines cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves into the perfect mix for baking, lattes, and seasonal favorites. With no fillers or additives, it brings rich, comforting flavor—and powerful health benefits—to everything from muffins to morning oatmeal. A must-have from-scratch pantry staple!

Prep Time

10 minutesminutes

Total Time

10 minutesminutes

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp Cinnamon

• 2 tsp Ginger

• 2 tsp nutmeg

• 1 tsp Cloves

• 1 tsp Allspice (optional)

Instructions

• Simply whisk these together in a small bowl and store in a tightly sealed glass jar. Keep it somewhere cool and dark