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Homemade pumpkin spice latte! Plus, a fun pumpkin mocha version, too!

Have you seen my pumpkin ebook for 25 pumpkin recipe that arenโ€™t pie and 1 that is? I think you would love it.

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte @dessertfortwo

Iโ€™m taking issue with myself for how early I started drinking pumpkin spice lattes this year.

Itโ€™s never been as early as September. This much I know. My birthday is at the end of this month (OMG THE BIG 3-0!), so Fall does not start until then for me.

But, after a summer of drinking nothing but hot lemon water and green tea, the cold snap last week deemed pumpkin acceptable in my head. I couldnโ€™t predict that the weather would climb back up to 90-degrees, and Iโ€™d be left sitting there sipping a hot drink in an Indian summer.

But, hey, at least my homemade pumpkin spice latte has real pumpkin in it. And thatโ€™s just vitamins, donโ€™t argue me on this, please!

I made a minor adjustment to regular pumpkin spice mixture recipes, and I swapped sugar for honey because I donโ€™t need sugar guilt in the morning.

I think this homemade pumpkin spice latte is perfect. And I really do think itโ€™s better than Starbucks.

Bravo, The Kitchn! Everything you do is amazing, but this drink especially so.

Pumpkin Spice Latte at home @dessertfortwo

Homemade pumpkin spice latte recipe variation:

If you want to make a mocha version of this drink, stir in an additional 1 teaspoon of chocolate extract. I use the Nielsen Massey chocolate extract. Then, before serving, drizzle your glass with chocolate sauce.

While youโ€™re at it, go ahead and drizzle the whipped cream on top, too. Youโ€™ve got nothing to lose. Chocolate also = vitamins and antioxidants!

Pumpkin Mocha Latte @dessertfortwo

And right now youโ€™re thinking: Two whole tablespoons of vanilla?! Of course that must be a typo. While my recipes are almost always riddled with typos (serious high fives to the reader that always catches them for me!), this one is not a typo. Itโ€™s precisely what makes this latte better than the coffee shopโ€™s. Along with the real pumpkin and honey. Oh, and special spice mixture. Ok, you get it.

This homemade pumpkin spice latte rocks. Do it!

Yield: 2

Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Make your own pumpkin spice lattes at home that are better than Starbucks!

Prep Time 1 minute
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 6 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (homemade recipe below)
  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 shots espresso (or 2/3 cup strong coffee)
  • whipped cream for serving
  • 1 teaspoon chocolate extract (optional, for mocha version)
  • chocolate sauce for glass (optional, for mocha version)

Homemade pumpkin pie spice:

  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. For the pumpkin spice latte version: In a small sauce pan over medium heat, add the spice, pumpkin and honey. Cook while constantly stirring until it starts to simmer, about 45 seconds.
  2. Next, stir in the milk and vanilla. Bring to a slight simmer while constantly stirring.
  3. Next, use an immersion blender (or transfer the mixture to a blender carefully) and blend until frothy.
  4. Divide the espresso between two glasses, and divide the latte mixture on top. Top with whipped cream and serve.
  5. For the mocha version: In a small sauce pan over medium heat, add the spice, pumpkin and honey. Cook while constantly stirring until it starts to simmer, about 45 seconds.
  6. Next, stir in the milk, vanilla, and chocolate extract. Bring to a slight simmer while constantly stirring.
  7. Next, use an immersion blender (or transfer the mixture to a blender carefully) and blend until frothy.
  8. Add chocolate sauce to the two glasses, and add the coffee or espresso. Pour the frothy pumpkin latte mixture on top, and then top with whipped cream. Drizzle extra chocolate sauce on the whipped cream.
  9. Combine all ingredients, and store in an air-tight jar.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 735Total Fat: 17gCarbohydrates: 123gProtein: 17g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

pumpkin spice latte better than starbucks

About Christina Lane

Christina Lane is the author of 5 cookbooks all about cooking and baking for two. She has scaled down hundreds of recipes into smaller servings so you can enjoy your favorite dishes without the leftovers! Valentine's Day is her favorite holiday.

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49 Comments

  1. Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut says:

    Wow I want that in my face right now!! Chocolate makes anything 10x better!

    I am planning on linking to this recipe and using a photo in a roundup on Lifehack if thatโ€™s okay! :)

  2. Thriftyredhead says:

    I think this recipe is messed upโ€ฆ

  3. Earl Williams says:

    Surprising recipe but must try it. I truly love pumpkin lattes. Thank you. I also truly, madly, deeply love pumpkin milkshakes and frosties if you have a reference for either of those. And pumpkin ice cream. Had one in Omaha of all places and have never forgotten it.
    Best,
    Earl Williams
    New Mexico

  4. Leah says:

    this looks absolutely GREAT! just a little request thoughโ€ฆ could you make a recipe with less ingr3edients but the same taste? thank you! ~ leah

  5. Jeanette Schutz says:

    Ok, going to trust you on this one. Iโ€™ve never seen black pepper in pumpkin pie spice before, but I just mixed some up and am going to try it. Trusting you know more than I do!!

    1. Christina Lane says:

      Itโ€™s just extra spice :) I hope you love it!

    2. Susanne says:

      I was surprised as well but it is delicious!

  6. sarah_gallo says:

    Iโ€™ve been enjoying these all week, thank you for the awesome recipe. How long would you say the mixture keeps? Wanting to make as gifts (or maybe the gingerbread version you have).