Pumpkin Spice Up Your Life!

If your favorite part of autumn is the return of pumpkin spice, we feel you!

That first chill in the air makes us start salivating for that sweet, fragrant flavor we all love. But rather than waiting for that magical moment when pumpkin spice appears in bakeries and coffee shops, why not make it yourself? Homemade pumpkin spice in less expensive than store-bought, and it tastes way better when you make it fresh. Plus, you can fine-tune the flavors until you reach pumpkin perfection!

This recipe is great on lattes and smoothies, as well as pumpkin pie, cookies, cupcakes, muffins, and bread. But it’s also fantastic on roasted vegetables, in warm soups and stews, stirred into oatmeal, or sprinkled over applesauce, ice cream, or gelato. Yum!

Homemade Pumpkin Spice

INGREDIENTS (makes 3 Tbsp)

• 1.5 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp allspice
• ¼ tsp cloves
• Optional: ¼ tsp ginger

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Congratulate yourself on how easy that was!

Like other spices, homemade spice is best when fresh ground. If it doesn’t get gobbled up right away, you can store your spice in an airtight container for up to three years.

HEALTHY AND DELICIOUS

Not only is homemade pumpkin spice amazingly delicious and easy to make, it’s also surprisingly good for you! Nutmeg and cloves are high in antioxidants and have been shown to have antiviral and antibacterial effects. Both nutmeg and allspice have anti-cancer properties, and ginger is strongly anti-inflammatory. Also, some studies indicate that cinnamon is great for balancing blood sugar levels, while allspice has numerous health benefits.

Enjoy, and eat well!