Fall Spice Mix

Here's my guaranteed no-fail pumpkin cheesecake recipe:

-go to Costco

-buy a pumpkin cheesecake

-serve slathered in whipped cream to cover up the pumpkin taste

No, I'm not a fan of pumpkin. I like the seeds, but pie? No. Pumpkin pie spiced latte? Seriously? Do I look like a man bun-wearing hipster soy boy? I think not!

For some reason I can't begin to fathom, pumpkin pie spice has become the official flavor of fall. So, to help you celebrate, here's a recipe to make your own Fall Spice Mix, and hopefully avoid the hipsters and suburbanites flocking to Barstucks for their latte fixes-until Christmas, when we can all bring out the peppermint.

Note: this is sometimes called "Pumpkin Pie" spice, because you can use it in pumpkin pies. Fortunately, it contains exactly ZERO actual pumpkin, which is why I like it.

Mix together:

3 Tbsp ground cinnamon

2 tsp ground ginger

1 ½ tsp ground nutmeg

1 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp ground allspice

1 pinch ground pepper

Add all of the above to a jar with a lid that will seal tightly and shake well to thoroughly mix. Store sealed at room temp for up to a year.

When making this spice mix, be sure your spices are fresh. You can scale this recipe up and make it once a season so long as you use fresh spices. You can also vary the ratios a bit to taste. Freshly ground or cracked black or white pepper may seem like a weird ingredient, but a tiny bit will enhance the flavor of your spice mix.

This is a good all around "taste of fall" mix that is blessedly free of pumpkin. You can add it to many other recipes like sugar (or other) cookies, pastries, smoothies or whatever you like.

1-2 tsp of this mix, added to your morning latte, will save you $6 and a trip to Barstucks. It also works well when added to cider as a mulling spice. Start with a tsp per cup and go up from there.

Don't be afraid to experiment with this spice mix all year round-on apples, peaches and even baked ham. I suppose you can even use it to make pumpkin pies, if you must. Regardless, have fun using this spice all holiday season.