An Apple a Day, Spiced Your Way!

There's something magical about homemade Apple Pie Spice—it adds that perfect balance of warmth and sweetness to everything from pies to cakes. Why not try blending your own? With just a few pantry staples, you can make a spice mix that transforms a simple dessert into a cozy, fall masterpiece. To inspire you, we've included a link to our favorite New England Spiced Apple Cake. Made with freshly grated apples and your homemade spice blend, this cake is perfect for rainy days, gatherings, or just when you need a taste of fall comfort.

Apple Pie Spice Blend Recipe

Makes a heaping tablespoon of spice


Ingredients:

  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg (freshly grated)
  • 1/8 tsp ground allspice or cloves

Personalize It:

  • For a bright, citrusy kick, add 1/2 tsp of fresh lemon zest.
  • For a tart twist, include 1/2 tsp of ground sumac.
  • To enhance the warmth, add 1/4 tsp of ground fenugreek.
  • For a subtle floral note, mix in 1/4 tsp of ground cardamom.

Apple Pie Spice is a versatile blend that goes beyond pies. It’s perfect sprinkled over oatmeal or stirred into applesauce for an extra touch of warmth and flavor. You can also add it to pancake or waffle batter, dust it on top of muffins before baking, or even mix it into yogurt for a quick, spiced snack. The blend of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg brings out the best in fall fruits, but it also pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables, like sweet potatoes or carrots, adding a hint of cozy spice. If you bake a lot, you can purchase pre-mixed apple pie seasoning.


Visual learner? Watch our TikTok video tutorial >>>

Why Use Whole Nutmeg?

Freshly grated nutmeg releases essential oils that give it a richer, more vibrant flavor than pre-ground varieties. When you grate it just before using, you capture all of its natural warmth and complexity, making a noticeable difference in both sweet and savory dishes. Plus, whole nutmeg has a longer shelf life, so you'll always have that aromatic, freshly-ground goodness on hand when you need it!


Stock up on whole nutmeg >>>


Gneiss Spice Fans Approve

Not Just For Apple Pie
I haven’t used it for an apple pie yet, but I used it for a blueberry pie and it was perfect!
Tarah
Best Apple Pie Spice
WAY better than store bought. I have added this to pies, cakes, and cookies. It is more flavorful than the store bought version I was used to using. It's not too heavily spiced, but tastes like a perfect balance of apple pie spices. Definitely my go to now for holidays and all year.
Patricia B.
Better Than Pumpkin Spice
Pumpkin spice has a special place in my heart... but this is delicious. It’s bright and fresh, with a nice bite. A sprinkle will make your apple sauce next level good!
Teagan R.

Spices to Pair with Apples

Sale Off
Cinnamon Cassia (Ground) - Gneiss Spice
$ 3.20$ 3.20
Sale Off
Ginger (Ground) - Gneiss Spice
$ 3.10$ 3.10
Sale Off
Nutmeg (Whole) - Gneiss Spice
$ 4.50$ 4.50
Sale Off
Cloves (Ground) - Gneiss Spice
$ 4.50$ 4.50

New England Spiced Apple Cake

Staff Recipe Share: Gneiss Spice has partnered with another Maine native, Amber Rogals, the recipe developer and food stylist behind Downeats. "Downeats" is a foodie play on the "Downeast" coastal region of Maine, so everything is New England inspired! Amber has a delicious apple cake we must share in time for the fall.
From Amber:This apple spice cake is one of the things I truly love about New England—taking locally foraged produce and turning it into something truly magical. Call me old fashioned, but for me it’s all about creating traditions and memories. This cake, for our family, is becoming both.
Why we like this recipe: It's quick to make, it's perfectly spiced and not too sweet. It uses grated apples instead of chopped, which creates a nice texture. And if you add a bit of buckwheat flour, the dark color helps the apple strips pop creating a fun pattern! 

Tip: I used the 8" x 8" cake pan I use for all my Snacking Cakes, and it came out perfect with 40 minutes baking time.
Become a Master Spice Blender!