Food Recipe Collections & Favorites Seasonal Meals Move Over Pumpkin Spice, Apple Pie Spice Is the Flavor of Fall Yes, there is a difference! By Christina Montoya Fiedler Christina Montoya Fiedler Christina Montoya Fiedler is a Los Angeles-based parenting, food, and lifestyle writer with over 15 years of experience. She is a mom to two boys, ages 13 and 8. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on October 25, 2023 Close Fall is the official season of pumpkin spice, and you see it in everything from coffee and beer to cookies and cereal. But another spice blend might give pumpkin spice a run for its money as fall's best flavor—apple pie spice. But what’s the difference? Pumpkin spice is a mix of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves. And while apple pie spice has those flavors (minus the cloves), it also sometimes has cardamom for extra warmth. They also have slightly different ratios of each spice in the blend. Aside from the spices themselves, pumpkin and apple pie spice products usually have underlying flavors of their namesake fruits. For instance, a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew has a subtle hint of earthy pumpkin, while the Caramel Apple Spice and Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso drinks favor apple's crisp, sweet tang. Apple pie spice is perfect for leveling up your fall baking. But you can also add it to oatmeal, smoothies, lattes, and more. Want more apple pie spice in your life? Try these products from your favorite grocery stores like Trader Joe’s, Target, and Aldi. 11 Festive Fall Flavors That Rival Pumpkin Spice 01 of 08 Trader Joe’s Spiced Cider Trader Joe's Each year, fans of Trader Joe's look forward to the arrival of Trader Joe’s Spiced Cider. The heavily spiced, autumnal drink is great over ice, hot, or served spiked with whiskey. 02 of 08 Trader Joe’s Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bites Trader Joe's No time for a hot bowl of oatmeal? Grab a few of these Trader Joe’s Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bites. They have all the apple spice flavor of your favorite seasonal oatmeal, but are totally portable. 03 of 08 Waterloo Spiced Apple Sparkling Water Target Want to change up your sparkling water flavor with the seasons? Waterloo Spiced Apple Sparkling Water is a surprisingly refreshing choice for fall, where crisp apple meets cinnamon and nutmeg. 04 of 08 Spiced Apple Cider Candle Target If eating apple spice-flavored foods and beverages isn't enough, try lighting a Spiced Apple Cider Candle. Soon, your whole house will be smelling like freshly baked apple pie. 05 of 08 Aldi Apple Pie Ice Cream Bars Aldi Aldi Apple Pie Ice Cream Bars pack all the flavor of pie into a cold treat. Apple pie ice cream and caramel sauce are coated in white chocolate and cinnamon cookie crumbles. 06 of 08 Apple Cider Donuts Aldi These Bake Shop Apple Cider Donuts from Aldi are a classic fall treat to satisfy your sweet tooth (and save time if you're not in the mood to bake your own). 07 of 08 Musselman’s Apple Butter Walmart Musselman’s Apple Butter is great on bagels, mixed into oatmeal, or on top of plain Greek yogurt. The concentrated apple spice flavor tastes like autumn in a jar. 08 of 08 Apple Cinnamon Cheerios Target If you liked Pumpkin Spice Cheerios, you'll love Apple Cinnamon Cheerios. You get the same crunch you've come to love from the beloved cereal, with the spiced flavor of apple pie coating every piece. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit