Pumpkin Spice Kits Available Starting Monday, September 28
Do you love to cook? Do you like to try new flavors and recipes? Or maybe you are in a cooking rut and don’t know how to start expanding your cooking repertoire. Let us help you get spicy in the kitchen. Your kit includes a pre-measured packet of pumpkin pie spice and a few recipes.
What is pumpkin pie spice?
Pumpkin pie spice does not actually contain pumpkin. It is a spice blend that got its name because it is traditionally used to flavor pumpkin recipes. While there are references to similar spice blends in cookbooks dating as far back as the late 1790s, it wasn’t until McCormick introduced a spice mix branded as “pumpkin pie spice” in 1934 that the blend got its current name. This mix was a response to the invention of pureed canned pumpkin that Libby’s had introduced in 1929.
McCormick’s pumpkin pie spice contains cinnamon (which balances blood sugar levels), ginger (which is highly anti-inflammatory and supports immune health), nutmeg (which is rich in antioxidants and has antiviral and antimicrobial actions) and allspice (which has anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties). Some pumpkin pie spice blends also contain cloves and mace.
Easy ways to add pumpkin pie spice to your diet.
On August 24, 2003, Starbucks introduced its Pumpkin Spice Latte, also known as PSL. Since then, Starbucks has sold more than 600 million PSLs helping to make pumpkin pie spice the unofficial flavor of fall.
Make your own homemade PSL by adding 2 tablespoons pumpkin purée, ó teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, 1ó tablespoons cane sugar,1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 2 cups milk in a blender. Blend until smooth and consistent. Pour ó cup hot coffee into the blender and blend until it’s all mixed together.
Make pumpkin spiced butter by combining 2 cans (15 ounce) pumpkin puree, ⅓ cup apple cider, ó cup maple syrup, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ó teaspoon kosher salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring often until the pumpkin thickens slightly, but is spreadable, about 20-30 minutes. Cool completely, then transfer to containers.
Make pumpkin spice syrup by combining 1 cup water, ó cup packed light brown sugar, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, ⅓ cup canned pumpkin puree, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and a pinch of kosher salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until sugars dissolve and mixture thickens slightly, 5 to 6 minutes. Let cool completely, then transfer to a resealable container.
Download a pdf of Recipes featuring pumpkin pie spice.
- Coconut Chia Banana Pudding Parfait
- Pumpkin Muffins
- Pumpkin Spice-Rubbed Pork Loin
- Spicy Pumpkin Chili
Need more inspiration?
You can watch a six-part Great Courses class called The Everyday Gourmet: Essential Secrets of
Spices in Cooking for free with your library card by using a Hoopla Great Courses BingePass or
streaming on Kanopy.
