Autumn is here, which means it’s officially pumpkin spice season. If you love a seasonal sprinkling of classic cosy flavours, it’s really easy to make your own pumpkin spice mix at home.
Many of us will already have a stash of spices in the back of the cupboard (or on a spice rack, if you’re really retro or really organised!). If you often buy a certain spice just to use a teaspoon or two in a dish or baking recipe, making your own spice mixes is a great cost-effective alternative.
More for members: Learn how to make your own Syn-free spice mixes
More on the blog: Are you in a baking mood? You’ll find a cake tin full of slim-safe bakes here
This basic pumpkin spice mix is super easy to make, and takes no time at all. The most time-consuming part will be checking the labels on your spice jars to make sure you’re not accidentally throwing in chilli powder or paprika!
1-minute pumpkin spice mix
- 3 tbsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 1 tbsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp ground cloves
Feel free to alter the quantities to suit your own taste and use up what you have. You could also throw in a teaspoon of ground anise, cardamom or turmeric. Play around to create your perfect pumpkin spice mix – one of the benefits of creating a homemade blend is that you can make it exactly as you like it.
Finally, add all your chosen spices to an empty spice jar (or other sealable container) and give it a good shake.
Pumpkin spice recipe ideas
Now that you have your personalised pumpkin spice, you can get sprinkling!
Pumpkin spice French toast
Give your mornings a lift with eggy bread, maple syrup and juicy blackberries. Our make-your-own pumpkin spice mix is the perfect substitute for the separate spices listed in this recipe.
Drizzle it: Pumpkin spice French toast
Pumpkin spice baked oats
Baked oats, served warm from the oven, have a soft, cakey texture that’s so comforting at this time of year – and you could mix a dash of pumpkin spice in with the yogurt when making your baked oats. Apple slices top off a warming breakfast that’s full of autumnal flavours.
serves 1
ready in 40 mins
8 Syns per serving (deduct 7 if using oats as a Healthy Extra ‘b’ choice)
What you need:
40g plain porridge oats
1 level tsp sweetener
1 small egg
100g fat-free natural yogurt
½ tsp pumpkin spice mix
50g sliced red apple
What you do:
1. Preheat your oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas 6. Place all the ingredients (except for the apple slices) in a bowl and mix together. Transfer the mixture to a small ovenproof dish.
2. Top with the apple slices and bake in the oven for 35 minutes, or until browned. Sprinkle with spice mix.
Pumpkin spice latte
Cosy up with our seasonal cuppa and save up to 20 Syns on the coffee-shop version.
Overnight oats
All you need to make overnight oats is porridge oats and fat-free natural yogurt, but the right topping can take this brilliantly basic breakfast to next-level delicious. Check out our carrot cake, banana berry and hot apple pie topping ideas – they all taste great served with a sprinkling of pumpkin spice.
Slimming World pancakes
Fluffy, American-style pancakes and pumpkin spice make the perfect pairing on a weekend morning. Serve with a big blob of fat-free natural fromage frais, fresh or frozen berries and a decent dusting of your spice mix.
Flip it: Slimming World pancakes recipe
Banana bread
Substitute allspice for pumpkin spice to give the famous Slimming World banana bread a seasonal spin.
Slice it: Slimming World banana bread recipe
More on the blog:
Slimming World egg custard
Hot cross bread and butter pudding
More puds on the blog
More for members:
Autumn trifles
Rhubarb and pear crumble
Spiced rice pudding
