Make homemade pumpkin spice with fresh-ground ingredients

Homemade pumpkin spice ingredients

If you’re all about that pumpkin spice life, you probably spend most of the year wishing it was fall. Because as the leaves begin to change, so do menus — and, once again, pumpkin spice becomes a staple.

Well, hold onto your gourds, because we’ve got two pieces of welcome news for you: First, you can have pumpkin spice all year long if you’d like and, second, you can make it fresh from the comfort of your home. We’re here to tell you how.

MORE: See how to make a healthier pumpkin spice latte at home

The problem with store-bought pumpkin-spice-flavored products is twofold. Not only do many store-bought spice mixes contain fillers, but it’s also impossible to tell how old they are (unless you ask your barista to see the bottle). This means the finished product may not be as flavorful as it could be. Grinding it fresh may be a little more work, but it’s worth it for the added oomph.

What you’ll need to start living your best pumpkin spice life:

  • Fresh Ceylon or Cassia cinnamon
  • Fresh nutmeg
  • Fresh clove
  • Fresh ginger
  • A baking sheet
  • A spice grinder
  • Measuring spoons
  • A container for your fresh pumpkin spice

In less than the time it would take for you to wait in line at Starbucks, you’ll have a pumpkin spice mix you can put on, well, anything you want. When the fall season comes to an end and pumpkin spice starts disappearing from menus and shelves, you’ll have the key to eternal autumn on standby.

MORE: Pumpkin spice taste test from Sprouts

Bonus? If you really want to revel in the glory of fall’s favorite flavors, you can combine your fresh pumpkin spice with real pumpkin and a natural sweetener to make a super-pumpkiny syrup. Say hello to homemade pumpkin spice lattes and DIY pumpkin pancakes, friend.

So, go forth! Grind! And take your pumpkin spice obsession to the next level.

Show off your pumpkin spice love. Tag us on Instagram @makeitgrateful and #makeitgrateful!