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Indian As Apple Pie Recipes
Baking Chai Masala holidays Spice Blends Thanksgiving

Dessert: Chai Masala Pumpkin Pie

November 24, 2025

Dessert: Chai Masala Pumpkin Pie Indian As Apple Pie

pumpkin pie

I LIKE TO SAY CHAI MASALA IS THE ORIGINAL PUMPKIN SPICE, BUT EVEN BETTER. 

Chai Masala — the spice blend that Indians use in our tea has the same flavor profiles as pumpkin spice, but even better. Grab a jar and see what I’m talking about. It’s perfect for the Holiday Season and in Pumpkin Pie. 

I enlisted the help of my friend Katherine, who is a Pumpkin Pie baking expert (my words, not hers — she's way too modest). All I asked was for her to substitute one tablespoon of my Chai Masala for the spice blend required in her pumpkin pie recipe of choice. The results? Uh-mazing!

indian as apple pie chai masala

Take my recipe and make Chai Masala yourself. Or, head to the product section of my website to purchase a pre-ground jar. If you have my books, head to page 39 in Indian For Everyone and 56 in Vegan Indian Cooking for the recipe. While I offer products for you to purchase and make the process easier, I also like to offer up recipes and techniques for you to make blends at home.

xoxo Anupy
Indian as Apple Pie chai masala

Chai Masala Spice Blend

Prep: 5 minutes
Makes: ¾ cup

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
  • 9 sticks of cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 2 tablespoons whole green cardamom pods
  • 3 black cardamom pods (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons dried ginger powder

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a spice grinder or a powerful blender and process into a fine powder. If your grinder is small, grind it down in small batches. Store in an airtight glass or stainless steel container. You can also store this mixture whole and grind a handful at a time as needed. Black cardamom pods can be found in most Indian grocery stores, not to worry if you can't find them, just omit. Which spice grinder? Invest in a good coffee grinder and reserve it for spices.
  2. Substitute this blend in your favorite pumpkin pie recipe. Here's the recipe that Katherine used if you need a good one.

Notes

Use this Chai Masala obviously when making Indian tea, but also sprinkled over baked nuts along with some maple syrup, in your granola, in your favorite dessert smoothie, or in your morning yogurt.


Check out my process shots!


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[[ recipeID=recipe-2mh0w22p2, title=Chai Masala Spice Blend ]]




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Chai Masala Spice Blend

by Anupy Singla, Indian As Apple Pie

Servings:

Keywords: Indian Recipes, Spice Blend, Masala, Chai, Seasoning

  • Prep Time: 5 mins

Ingredients

Instructions

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
  • 9 sticks of cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 2 tablespoons whole green cardamom pods
  • 3 black cardamom pods (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons dried ginger powder

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a spice grinder or a powerful blender and process into a fine powder. If your grinder is small, grind it down in small batches. Store in an airtight glass or stainless steel container. You can also store this mixture whole and grind a handful at a time as needed. Black cardamom pods can be found in most Indian grocery stores, not to worry if you can't find them, just omit. Which spice grinder? Invest in a good coffee grinder and reserve it for spices.
  2. Substitute this blend in your favorite pumpkin pie recipe. Here's the recipe that Katherine used if you need a good one.

Notes

Use this Chai Masala obviously when making Indian tea, but also sprinkled over baked nuts along with some maple syrup, in your granola, in your favorite dessert smoothie, or in your morning yogurt.

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