The Best Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
Make the popular coffee house pumpkin spice latte at home. Canned or homemade pumpkin puree both work well in this recipe. Here’s our recipe for making pumpkin puree from scratch.
Make the popular coffee house pumpkin spice latte at home. Canned or homemade pumpkin puree both work well in this recipe. Here’s our recipe for making pumpkin puree from scratch.
- Carbohydrate 7.07148249778914 g
- Cholesterol 82.2 mg
- Fat 22.2643424999776 g
- Fiber 1.43207503139431 g
- Protein 1.50105749984693 g
- Saturated Fat 13.8458599999861 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (147g)
- Sodium 1803.87250350995 mg
- Sugar 5.63940746639483 g
- Trans Fat 1.16423999999479 g
- Calories 244 calories
Step-by-step
- Add milk, pumpkin puree, and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat.
- Heat until hot, but do not boil.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and the coffee.
- Divide the mixture between two mugs.
- Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.
Why does the milk foam sometimes separate from the heavy pumpkin solids at the bottom of the mug? Achieving a uniform emulsion depends entirely on whisking the hot coffee and spices vigorously into the base just before serving, preventing the starch in the pumpkin puree from settling. When preparing the mixture on the stovetop, heat the milk to 160 degrees Fahrenheit without letting it simmer; scalding the dairy alters its proteins and ruins the smooth mouthfeel necessary for a proper cafe-style drink.
What to Serve Alongside Your Coffee
Pairing a rich, spiced beverage requires balancing the weight on the palate. Bakery items with high fat content, such as a sharp cheddar scone or a butter-heavy brioche toast, cut through the sweetness of the pumpkin and vanilla. Alternatively, toasted pumpkin seeds tossed in coarse sea salt provide a savory crunch that contrasts nicely with the creamy whipped cream topping.
- If the puree settles at the base, whisk the liquid continuously over medium-low heat for 60 seconds to re-incorporate the starches.
- Substitute oat milk at a 1:1 ratio if avoiding dairy, noting that its higher starch content will yield a thicker body.
- Store leftover homemade pumpkin puree in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days before using it in beverages.
