No need to pay for pricey coffee-shop pumpkin spice lattes with this easy, homemade version that uses real pumpkin puree (no fake, sugary syrups) and can be made quickly and inexpensively at home. And now you can enjoy pumpkin spice lattes year-round from home.
Every year around this time the world seems to go crazy for Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes
The Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes are lovely…
But you can make them at home
And I’d like to think my make-at-home version wins
Why?
Because you can make them vegan at home, if you so choose.
And the ones you purchase are generally made with fake, sugary, pumpkin-flavored syrups, not real pumpkin puree.
It should be noted that this is a natural latte, made with real pumpkin puree and real pumpkin pie spice. It does not all fully dissolve and there will be some settling at the bottom of the mug. If you don’t want settling, the way to avoid that is to use synthetic syrups made from chemicals rather than real pumpkin and real spices. Your choice.
Since some people enjoy a daily dose of HFCS, you make lattes at home and can control what goes into your latte.
Another reason the at-home version wins is because you could go into the poorhouse if you like your coffee as much as I like mine buying these specialty drinks.
I bet the cost per cup of the homemade latte is less than a quarter and probably even less.
Far less than the $4 coffee shop lattes and the cheapskate in me wants to make things at home whenever possible.
And I actually prefer the taste of my version to the Starbucks version but I could be biased.
For the recipe, there are many ways to make these and many recipes I’ve seen on the internet, but here’s what I do because I like these ratios the best.
And oh yes, it’s easy.
A Visual Guide
Brew your coffee
I was lucky enough to receive this Godiva Pumpkin Coffee from Godiva in conjunction with being a FoodBuzz Featured Publisher
The coffee is delicious and being that it’s pumpkin-flavored it just enhances the recipe but it’s not required to use pumpkin coffee
Any ole coffee will do if you don’t have any of these just laying around your cupboards
After you’ve made your coffee, make the pumpkin milk
Everything in
Blend
This stuff is so good!
You don’t even need to pour it into coffee. You can just drink this as is. Mmmm, good. Just ask Skylar.
And when you’re chugging this straight taste-testing this before you pour it into the brewed coffee just remember the old saying: “Pumpkin Milk: It does a body good!”
I recommend heating the pumpkin milk mixture up in the micro (or stovetop) before you add it to the brewed coffee (or Vita users, just let ‘er rip and let the machine do the work for you)
But I truly despise lukewarm coffee drinks so I always heat it up as to not cool off my coffee too much
Pour the coffee into your mug, top with half the pumpkin milk mixture
Garnish and Drink Up
And be glad you don’t have to rely on buying pumpkin spice lattes anymore!
As I said in the recipe section, you know you will want a refill
Every bit as good as Starbucks Star Who?
And easy and cheap!
And for the rest of the can of pumpkin puree you have on your hands, I have a great recipe coming up for how to use it…
Tip: I actually mix up about 2 cups+ worth of pumpkin milk at a time and store that in the fridge and heat it up as needed and then add that to coffee as I see fit over the next couple days
I figure as long as I am dirtying dishes and have everything out, I always make a little extra for refills or future use
Or, you can also freeze the extra pumpkin puree in a small container and make something else that tickles your pumpkin fancy because you never know when a pumpkin craving is going to hit.
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Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients
- At least 2 cups coffee, strong and freshly brewed
- 1 cup milk, I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk but use any kind you wish from whole to soy to rice milk
- ¼ heaping cup pumpkin puree, more if you really love pumpkin
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice blend, or to taste
- 1 teaspoons cinnamon, or to taste
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- sweetener of choice, to taste (I suggest 2 tablespoons agave or 2 tablespoons brown sugar, or a pinch of stevia to taste; or try honey, maple syrup, etc. to taste)
- Optional: pinch of ground nutmeg, ginger, garam masala, cardamom, or other warming spices to taste
Instructions
- Make coffee (a pot, single-serving cup, in whatever fashion and however you prefer making your coffee. The stronger the better)
- Make Pumpkin Milk by combining all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk well by hand or blend using a Vita-MIx or blender Optional: Warm the finished pumpkin milk mixture in the microwave or on the stovetop (I do a quick nuke of about 1 minute)
- Pour 1 cup of brewed coffee into a mug and pour half the pumpkin milk mixture over the top of the coffee and enjoy. (The other half of the pumpkin milk mixture is for the refill you know you will want. If you truly don’t want a refill, refrigerate it for up to a few days and use for your next latte, in a smoothie, or drink it as is. As long as you’re dirtying dishes, I always make a little extra for refills or for later)
- Optional: Finish by garnishing with real whipped cream/whipped topping such and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice/cinnamon on top
- Notes: The spices will not “blend” or entirely dissolve. This is to be expected and normal. If this bothers you, this may not the recipe for you and you may want to experiment with other recipes or techniques.All spices and seasonings are to taste; in this case, mine. If you want to reduce the spices (or increase them), obviously adjust everything according to your own taste preferences. Some people may find the amounts I used a bit strong, but I like robust flavors.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Here’s a Roundup of my Favorite Pumpkin Recipes
Do you like Pumpkin Spice Lattes? Are you one of those people who has been over-paying for your seasonal pumpkin spice lattes (or come Christmastime the gingerbread lattes)?
Maybe you’ll make these at home because as I said here, if I relied on Starbucks for my coffee or specialty drink fix, I’d be broke!
Plus I truly prefer the taste of the make-at-home.
Oh these are SO delicious! My friend informed me of their return and I said, “God’s in His heaven; All’s right with the world.”
BUT I’m very excited to see a recipe. I agree on the money issue, and having a less “guilt-ridden” version would be good too. Thank you for this!
Pumpkin milk? Wow that is genius! I have to say that I have enjoyed a few starbucks drinks in my life, but recently read the ingredients of the skinny vanilla latte & was disappointed. I had thought maybe they were using stevia instead of splenda. Ah well, I usually make my own blend of teeccino & cocoa, but the pumpkin milk sounds so yummy that I will have to check it out this weekend – it will hit the spot after my long run! I’ll bet you could just put the ingredients in a jar & shake it really good too. This is why I read you blog – to get great ideas like this one. Thanks again & hope you have having a good week.
thanks for the compliments and I hope you enjoy it when you make it!
Yum! Pumpkin Spice Lattes are my favorite!! I haven’t had one yet but now that SD is getting some cooler weather, I’m all about it :)
I know it’s been hotter in Sept than it was all summer!
I’ve never had one of these lattes, but EVERYONE is talking about them this year, which makes me curious…I may have to try yours! It looks better than SB’s anyway ;)
this looks fabulous im a huge pumpkin spice latte lover although I treat myself once and awhile im definitely a fan of the homemade versions!
Ahh i’m such a fan of making these types of things at home. Chai tea lattes being one of my more successful attempts! Dying to try a pumpkin latte but can’t find any pumpkin puree anywhere. Hopefully a whole pumpkin will cross my path soon! It is nearly Halloween after all! :)
pumpkin puree usually hits most groc stores by about Oct 1. Mine carries it year round though. Guess I’m lucky :)
Love a Pumpkin latte, but I like you, don’t want to shell out the clams. Definitely going to try your recipe. Will also try adding it to Teeccino. I’ve tried those chicory based drinks and was disappointed, but Teeccino is truly amazing–lots of flavors. Have you tried it? I like having something comforting in the afternoon and with fall nearly here, I can see pumpking lattes becoming a habit….:D One thing off the top of my head that I cannot make is Simma’s Cheesecake. Decadent! https://www.simmasbakery.com/ I used to live across the street, be still my heart!
Love your photography, make me want to go head first into the latte!
Ive tried Teecino. It’s fine, but it’s not coffee!
I love pumpkin spice lattes (and anything pumpkin flavored)! There are so many recipes floating around the blog world, I’ll just have to try them all. I used to love Sbux, but theirs isn’t vegan, of course. Your photos are gorgeous!
Thanks for the photography compliments!
oh yum averie! That looks amazing! So warm and inviting especially since it is so cold in the mornings now!
I haven’t ever been a go-er of starbucks, but when I do go It’s usually when they have their seasonal drinks, because they are my fav.
I like to make certain foods at home, but there are those few places, that they just taste better made at the actual restaurant! ;-)
Looks so yummy! Can’t wait to make this!
can you believe I can’t find canned pumpkin for the life of me? I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to get through fall without it. Le sighhhh.
I totally forgot that I have that coffee waiting for me at home! yayayyyy. Gotta love foodbuzz, right?
enjoy those coffee samples and pumpkin usually hits most groc stores by about Oct 1. Mine carries it year round though. Guess I’m lucky :)
With the way I’ve been craving PSL’s from Starbuck’s, I really need to try this out…for my wallet’s sake :-)
I don’t think I need to say it…bookmarked! Whoop whoop! Looks amazing Averie. And since I have to go dairy free now, the vegan part sounds pretty fantastic as well. mm mm mm. I got those coffees to sample too!
Enjoy your new coffee samples :)
I’ve never ordered a single thing from Starbucks (gasp). So never tried the pumpkin latte everyone is raving about. Is it really that good or is it that it’s just seasonal? I but the mix would make a great dessert protein shake ;-)
A little of both…they are good and they’re seasonal and the blogosphere has an un-natural obsession with all things pumpkin!
I cannot believe you’ve NEVER had one item, ever!! from Starbucks!
I have never had a pumpkin latte as they don’t seem to sell them here…. I am very tempted to try this version though! Dessert in a mug sounds good to me. Thank you so much for sharing!
That pumpkin milk mix would be great to toss into an ice cream maker. Actually, I have done that with those exact ingredients. The pumpkin makes it thick, and the spices….such a good ice cream recipe.
I was going to freeze some pumpkin milk and make smoothies/ice cream, etc…that recipe may or may not already be on deck :)