It is now the middle of September and even though the temperatures are still hovering around 100 degrees here, I can’t help but start to look forward to all things fall. Fortunately, Starbucks helps with that because now you can get pumpkin lattés and other drinks and goodies with aromatic autumn spices in them. Unfortunately, these cost an arm and a leg so I decided to see if I could make my own. Turns out, it’s not that difficult, much, much cheaper, and really delicious!
I like this recipe because you can taste the coffee, and it is less sweet than hot chocolate. It has a very mild pumpkin flavor, and what you taste more are the yummy spices and creaminess. However, if you like it sweeter, you can always add more sugar. I have also tried tripling the amounts and putting it in the crock pot to keep it warm for a larger group and that worked well. Just make sure you keep it on low, and check it once in a while to make sure it doesn’t burn. The picture above shows a cinnamon stick placed in the latte. I found that gives it too much of a cinnamon taste and kind of drowns out the other spices. Whipping cream is the best garnish, with just a tiny sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
If you are looking forward to fall, or if it is already starting to get cold where you are, this is a perfect drink to start the season off right. Or if you are like us in Arizona, you just might have to go turn your air conditioning down a little colder for a few minutes so you can enjoy a pumpkin latté, and dream of cooler days to come. They should be here soon…. I see light at the end of a very long, hot tunnel!:)
Pumpkin Spice Latté
-
2 cups milk
- 2 Tbsp. canned pumpkin
- 2 Tbsp. white sugar
- 2 Tbsp. real vanilla (not a typo, really says tablespoon)
- 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice OR 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, 1/8 tsp. cloves, 1/8 tsp. nutmeg, and a teeny tiny pinch of ground ginger
- 1/2 c brewed espresso (or double strength coffee)
- whipped cream (optional for garnish)
- Add the coffee/espresso and milk to a saucepan and heat until hot but not boiling.
- Whisk in the pumpkin, spices, sugar, and vanilla.
- Pour mixture into crock pot on low just to keep warm.
- When ready to serve, whisk again, and ladle into mugs.
- Garnish with real whipped cream, and a pinch of cinnamon. Serve immediately.
- Makes enough for 2 people.
Recipe adapted from Stephanie O’Dea
Cook AZ I Do 
What a lovely drink for wintertime to keep warm.
You are so right! It would be perfect for winter as well as fall with all of those yummy spices in it that we associate with the holidays. It is definitely a comforting drink. I hope you get to make sometime. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Yum!!!! So awesome that you tried out your own recipe for this! I LOVE the Starbucks pumpkin spice syrup so much, but completely agree that it’s just way too expensive to have with any kind of frequency. I was thinking about buying the syrup itself, but that’s pretty expensive too. Looks like I’ll be trying this out myself soon 🙂 Thanks so much for posting!
I actually looked for a recipe online, and there were a lot out there. Most of them were the same as this one, but there were a couple that called for pumpkin spice syrup and told how to make the syrup yourself. Maybe that would be the way for you to go, and then you would have the syrup to use for other drinks as well. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!
I am ready for Fall and ready for these Pumpkin Spice Lattes’….Yum! I can’t wait to try them! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
You are welcome! I hope you enjoy it. It is fun to see you here. Thanks for commenting!
I know this sounds ridiculous, but I never thought a Pumpkin Spice Latte would actually have pumpkin in it.
For Thanksgiving, I’ve resolved to make pumpkin pie using a real pumpkin – instead of filling from a can – so I will make a delicious PSL to accompany my pumpkin-baking adventure.
Actually I was surprised by the addition of real pumpkin, too, Ruth! There seems to be 2 camps about how these should be made. Some say pumpkin spice syrup and the rest were like this recipe. It would be interesting to make it the other way to see if there is much difference. Great idea to have them for Thanksgiving. I really admire you for trying to make pumpkin pie with a real pumpkin. You’ll have to let me know how it goes!
YUMMMM! I need to make that!
I hope you can sometime, Rob! It is really easy. Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting.
One of my favorite drinks in the fall. Thanks for posting this recipe!
You’re welcome, Anne! It’s one of my favorites, too. I hope you get to make them this fall. It’s a great way to make your house smell wonderful as well. Thanks for stopping by!
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If I had one of those valentine candy hearts that says “let’s be friends”, I’d totally give one to you!
Thank you! I love how blogging lets us be friends with people from all over the world. Have a great week!