How to Make Your Own: Pumpkin Spice Latte

Fall is here and that means sweaters, Adele Cozy Knit Slippers and… Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Sure, you can swing by a Starbucks and pick up your fave autumn-in-a-cup to go, but why spend the money and take in all those artificial flavors and colors when you can make an even better cup at home?

For the newbies, a Pumpkin Spice latte is a coffee drink made with a mix of steamed milk, espresso, pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin puree, sugar, and a topping of whipped cream. Yeah, exactly — YUM. 

With this recipe from Diethood, you can mix and match as you like. Add extra cinnamon, go easy on the sugar, or switch it up from whole milk to oat milk depending on your mood. 

You can either use the microwave or the stovetop to bring this baby to life, but we prefer going old school and using the stovetop — it’s more fun to watch the milk that way too!

Prep Time: 2 minutes Cook Time: 3 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk (or milk alternative)
• 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar, packed
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice
• 1/2 cup hot strong brewed coffee (espresso is perfect)

Optional

1. sugar, to taste
2. whipped cream
3. nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or cinnamon, for garnish 

Instructions

1. In a saucepan whisk together milk, pumpkin puree, and light brown sugar.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until hot and steamy. DO NOT BOIL.
3. Remove from heat, whisk in the pumpkin-pie spice and the vanilla.
4. Whisk in the coffee and continue to whisk until frothy.
5. Divide between two coffee mugs.
6. Taste and adjust sweetness to taste.
7. Garnish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

If using Microwave

1. Pour the milk, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, pumpkin-pie spice, and vanilla into a microwave-safe bowl.
2. Cook for 1 minute to 1 minute 30, or until milk starts to rise up and is frothy.
3. Pour into your favorite mug, add the coffee, garnish with whipped cream and nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, or cinnamon.
4. Serve hot.

Notes: 

• Pumpkin Spice Latte tastes best with Whole Milk, but you can use whichever milk you prefer!
• Add sugar to taste; if you like a sweeter coffee, stir in more sugar after you've heated up the milk mixture. 
• If you want a stronger pumpkin flavor, add more pumpkin puree.