Every year, around this time, pumpkin pie spice seems to be everywhere. While it adds a delightful flavor to various dishes, apple pie spice is also a popular choice in the fall season. It offers a robust taste and makes a great addition to your spice collection.
Understanding Apple Pie Spice
This aromatic spice blend is commonly used during the cooler months to enhance apple pies and similar apple-based dishes. It closely resembles pumpkin pie spice, though my version excludes ground cloves and includes cardamom instead. If cardamom isn’t to your taste, you can leave it out.
Apple pie spice can enhance both sweet and savory dishes. For instance, it’s perfect for this bacon apple chicken recipe.
Components of Apple Spice
This simple spice mix requires only five ingredients and is easy to prepare. Freshly made spices are much more potent compared to premade mixes that might have been sitting on a shelf for ages. Not only does this spice add a flavorful punch to meals, but it also offers numerous health advantages.
The mix includes warming spices, ideal for chilly days. These spices also boast antimicrobial properties to help fend off seasonal viruses and bacteria.
Cinnamon helps stabilize blood sugar, reduces inflammation, and manages blood pressure. Ginger aids digestion, improves circulation, and is especially helpful during illnesses, particularly coughs. Cardamom, a beneficial spice in this blend, is high in antioxidants and may help reduce high blood pressure, combat inflammation, and support digestion.
How to Use Your Apple Pie Spice Mix
There are countless delicious ways to incorporate this spice mix!
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Mix some into homemade apple sauce. I did this before canning, and my kids couldn’t get enough! Let the applesauce simmer with spices in a slow cooker on low for a few hours to create delicious apple butter.
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Sprinkle it on sliced apples and bake them in an almond flour pie crust. Apple pie spice also complements apple, pear, or peach cobbler, or even a berry crisp.
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Make French toast with homemade sourdough or a gluten/grain-free bread. Add a touch of apple pie spice to the toast and drizzle with maple syrup.
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Use it as a topping for a salted caramel latte. Adding a bit of homemade whipped cream makes it even more indulgent.
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Blend some with homemade vanilla ice cream before churning for an autumnal flavor. Serve it with apple pie!
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Try the spice in savory dishes like baked sweet potatoes, apple pork chops, and sausage-stuffed apples.
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Add it to homemade apple cider. Your house will smell wonderful while it’s simmering!
- Mix it into waffle or pumpkin pancake batter before cooking. Top with cooked, sliced apples and maple syrup.
Enjoy this versatile spice mix in a variety of dishes, enhancing both flavors and health benefits. Keep your homemade blend stored in a cool, dry, and dark place.
What are your favorite recipes using apple pie spice? Share your thoughts!
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