October 1st is National Pumpkin Spice Day. Not to be confused with National Pumpkin Day on October 26, October 1st is a day to celebrate a blend of spices that often includes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and mace.
National Pumpkin Spice Day will be celebrated on Sunday, October 1, 2023.
This observance comes at a time of year when it’s fun to good-naturedly poke fun at the “sudden” appearance of pumpkin-spice flavored coffee, mixed drinks, pastry, and other desserts; National Pumpkin Spice Day has become an informal American tradition based around a blend of spices that came from Southeast Asia but which were quickly adapted to western cooking traditions.
Scroll Down for Lists of Pumpkin Spice Recipes, Food & Products ⬇
Origins Of Pumpkin Spice Day
Some sources speculate that National Pumpkin Spice Day has been around “at least” since 2015, but details about the origins of this day are few. What we know more about is when pumpkin spice began showing up in western cook books.
One mention in a book called American Cookery by Amelia Simmons comes as early as 1796; Simmons had a recipe for pumpkin pudding which included many of the spices blended today as “pumpkin spice”. This cookbook is thought to be one of the earliest (if not THE earliest) American cookbooks.
Some sources say that pumpkin spice wasn’t actively marketed as such until the 1930s when the McCormick company began marketing it as a pumpkin pie blend. And then there was the debut of the popular drink known as the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, which may be responsible for igniting the American appetite for that flavor combination during the fall and winter months.
Is Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Flavored?
The short answer is no. There is no pumpkin in pumpkin spice. The spices are applied to the pumpkin rather than being added to something else to make a dish taste like it has pumpkin in it. Think of pumpkin spice like a five spice blend and you get a more accurate idea of how it works.
Pumpkin spice enhances the flavor of any puree, pudding, or other preparation–not limited to pumpkin but definitely offering a more unique spin on it.
Is Pumpkin A Fruit Or A Vegetable?
Goodhousekeeping.com and other sources confirm that pumpkins are considered a fruit and not a vegetable. The grounds for this include the fact that pumpkins, like strawberries, start out as flowers. The State of New Hampshire declared the pumpkin its official state fruit in 2006.
Is Pumpkin Spice Bad For You?
The common answer, “anything is bad for you in large enough quantities” may be true, but pumpkin spice is typically harmless for those who do not have food allergies involving any of the ingredients. What is in pumpkin spice?
That depends on the blend but typically includes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sometimes mace. According to the official site for the nonprofit academic healthcare organization Cedars-Sinai, pumpkin spice can offer “a healthy dose of antioxidants and antimicrobial agents”.
And when that spice goes into pumpkin, you get a combination of vitamins, minerals, and the antioxidants mentioned above.
How To Celebrate National Pumpkin Spice Day
Some believe the way to start is to carve a Halloween pumpkin and harvest the flesh to make a pie or pudding with. This is not a terrible idea, but carving pumpkins are typically thought to be less tasty than others. You may find that pumpkin flesh from a carving pumpkin lacks a certain something depending on where you get it and when.
One thing is for sure–don’t consume carved pumpkin that has been allowed to sit at room temperature for 24 hours or more.
You don’t have to carve a pumpkin to enjoy pumpkin spice; your local coffee shop likely offers a brew for the month of October that will feed your cravings for a pumpkin latte or something similar.
One fun way to celebrate is to find or create your own recipe for pumpkin spice and try making a pie, pudding, cocktail, or coffee. Remember that pumpkins grown for pies are smaller and fleshier than their carving counterparts; seek out these smaller varieties for the kitchen and leave the really big versions for the front porch.
See our big list of National Food Holidays!
Pumpkin Spice Recipes
Here is a collection of pumpkin spice recipes to meet any person's seasonal cravings for everything pumpkin spice.
Pumpkin Pie Cake
This "cake" is sort of half cake, half pie. It will become your new favorite pumpkin dessert!
Pumpkin Instant Pot Cheesecake with a Granola Crust
Once you make Instant Pot Cheesecake, you'll never use your oven for cheesecake again!
Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Bourbon Pecan Caramel Sauce
Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Bourbon Pecan Caramel Sauce - so simple yet so pretty and delicious. An easy fall dessert to serve to a crowd!
Starbuck Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
Make your favorite fall coffee at home with this recipe from Starbucks.
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes
Packed with pumpkin flavor pumpkin cupcakes are so delicious!
5-ingredient Pumpkin Spice Syrup
Add pumpkin spice to your favorite drinks whenever you want with this simple recipe.
Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
A perfect dessert for fall and these bars are quick and easy to make.
Keto Pumpkin Pie Fat Bombs
The perfect solution to your keto AND pumpkin spice needs.
Best Pumpkin Spice Products & Food This Fall
It's pumpkin spice season and every brand is join in on the fun this fall. Here are the many brands that have jumped on the pumpkin spice crazy train this fall. Hurry up, most of these are for a limited time.
Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Graham Goldfish
Goldfish® partnered with Dunkin’ to create a graham with notes of pumpkin, donut glaze, and warm spices – including cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
Chobani Pumpkin Spice Greek Yogurt
Have a health breakfast and pumpkin spice with the this Greek yogurt from Chobani.
Dairy Queen Pumpkin Pie Blizzard Treat
Real pumpkin pie pieces blended into a Blizzard and topped with whipped topping and nutmeg.
Jell-O Pumpkin Spice Instant Pudding & Pie Filling, 3.4 oz Box
Easy and delicious Jell-O Pumpkin Flavored Instant Pudding mix can be used to prepare pumpkin spice poke cake, mousse, cupcake-topping and pie filling.
Pumpkin Spice OREOS
Pumpkin Spice Sandwich Cookies combines this classic cookie with pumpkin spice flavor creme to celebrate fall.
Pumpkin Spice Liquid Coffee Creamer
Perfect your coffee with a Pumpkin Spice flavored Creamer.
Nissin Cup Noodles Pumpkin Spice Noodles
This pumpkin spice in-a-cup has a blend of sweet, savory and spiced. Nissin even recommends topping it off with whipped cream.
PBfit Pumpkin Spice All-Natural Peanut Butter Powder
You get the full flavor of pumpkin spice with 1/3 the calories and 90% less fat than other peanut butters. Blend it, bake, spread it or eat from the jar when no one's looking.
Nestle Toll House Pumpkin Spice Cookie Dough
T autumn-inspired seasonal cookie dough is back for a limited time.
Celestial Seasonings Black Tea,Sweet Harvest Pumpkin
Pumpkin spice isn't just for coffee lovers with this tea blend infused with cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin.
Swiss Miss Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa Mix
There is a pumpkin spice drink for everyone with these pumpkin spice hot chocolate.
Starbucks Pumpkin Spice K-Cups
You probably already know about the Starbuck Pumpkin Latter but they also have pumpkin spice k-cups.
Planter's Pumpkin Spice Almonds
These treats have the usual crunch of almonds with a twist of pumpkin spice flavor.
Peeps Marshmallow Pumpkin Candy
These classic treat aren't just for Easter anymore. Perfect for fall decorating, baking and party favors for kids. Also, they're gluten-free!
Yankee Candle Spiced Pumpkin Scented
Like your favorite spiced pumpkin latté, this candle has the scent of pumpkins baked in spices of clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon—and sweetened with brown sugar.
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