The Best Pumpkin Spice Latte
This homemade pumpkin spice latte recipe uses real pumpkin, coffee, and the perfect blend of fall spices. Delicious, easy, and much better than store-bought! When Fall hits, we rush to our local coffee shop and order a pumpkin spice latte. We love them so much that we decided to try making them at home, and I am so happy that we did! This homemade pumpkin spice latte recipe is easy, and I bet you have most, if not everything, you need to make one at home right now. Bonus, you will be sipping a latte in under 10 minutes! Be sure to check out some more of our favorite pumpkin recipes, like our pumpkin scones (also inspired by Starbucks) and these incredible pumpkin cupcakes! Key Ingredients Coffee or Espresso: I love a stronger espresso in this latte, but you can substitute it with strong coffee. For a hot drink, use hot coffee and warmed milk, or use chilled espresso or cold brew coffee for an iced latte. Milk or Non-Dairy Milk: Use whatever you love! I’m a big fan of oat milk lattes, so I use homemade oat milk, but any milk (dairy or non-dairy) will work. Pumpkin: I use pumpkin puree for an authentic pumpkin flavor. You can use canned pumpkin or homemade pumpkin puree (and if you make your own, you get to roast the pumpkin seeds, too!). If you’d like a stronger pumpkin flavor, try reducing the puree beforehand or substituting it with pumpkin butter. I’ve shared tips below the recipe! Pumpkin Pie Spice: I use my homemade pumpkin pie spice, but you can use store-bought if you already have one. If not, my homemade blend combines spices you probably already have in your spice cabinet. Plus, you’ll have it ready if you ever want to make homemade pumpkin pie! Vanilla: A splash of vanilla extract makes this latte so delicious. It works so well with the pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin! Sweetener: Use your favorite sweetener! I’ve used plain sugar in the past, but now I love using maple syrup for extra flavor. Brown sugar is another delicious option. Whipped Cream (Optional): A spoonful of whipped cream is the perfect topping for this PSL. You can use my whipped cream recipe or try this coconut whipped cream if you’re dairy-free. Coffee or Espresso: I love a stronger espresso in this latte, but you can substitute it with strong coffee. For a hot drink, use hot coffee and warmed milk, or use chilled espresso or cold brew coffee for an iced latte. Milk or Non-Dairy Milk: Use whatever you love! I’m a big fan of oat milk lattes, so I use homemade oat milk, but any milk (dairy or non-dairy) will work. Pumpkin: I use pumpkin puree for an authentic pumpkin flavor. You can use canned pumpkin or homemade pumpkin puree (and if you make your own, you get to roast the pumpkin seeds, too!). If you’d like a stronger pumpkin flavor, try reducing the puree beforehand or substituting it with pumpkin butter. I’ve shared tips below the recipe! Pumpkin Pie Spice: I use my homemade pumpkin pie spice, but you can use store-bought if you already have one. If not, my homemade blend combines spices you probably already have in your spice cabinet. Plus, you’ll have it ready if you ever want to make homemade pumpkin pie! Vanilla: A splash of vanilla extract makes this latte so delicious. It works so well with the pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin! Sweetener: Use your favorite sweetener! I’ve used plain sugar in the past, but now I love using maple syrup for extra flavor. Brown sugar is another delicious option. Whipped Cream (Optional): A spoonful of whipped cream is the perfect topping for this PSL. You can use my whipped cream recipe or try this coconut whipped cream if you’re dairy-free. Find the full recipe with measurements below. Tips for Making the Best Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Tip 1: Warm ingredients gently. Heat the milk, pumpkin puree, sugar, pumpkin pie spices, and vanilla extract on the stove over medium heat. Slowly heating the mixture prevents scolding the milk but helps the sugar to melt. Tip 2: Use strong coffee: Coffee shops use espresso, a bit stronger than typical brewed coffee at home. I use home-brewed espresso or add extra coffee grinds to my regular brew when making lattes. Tip 3: For even more pumpkin flavor: If you want a more intense pumpkin flavor, try reducing the pumpkin puree before adding it to the milk mixture. Simmer the puree until it’s reduced by about one-third to concentrate the flavor. You can do this in advance and store the concentrated puree in your refrigerator for your next latte craving! Or try our maple pumpkin butter instead. The Best Pumpkin Spice Latte PREP 5 mins COOK 5 mins TOTAL 10 mins PREP 5 mins COOK 5 mins TOTAL 10 mins 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. Makes 2 Drinks Watch Us Make the Recipe You Will Need 1/2 cup strong hot coffee or 2 shots espresso 2 cups milk of choice, dairy or non-dairy 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree, or more to taste 1 tablespoon sugar or maple syrup, or more to taste 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more for serving Whipped cream, optional for serving Directions 1Add milk, pumpkin puree, and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat. Slowly heat the milk until hot, but do not boil. 2Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and the coffee or espresso. Taste and adjust with more sugar or spices. 3Divide the mixture between two mugs. 4Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. 1Add milk, pumpkin puree, and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat. Slowly heat the milk until hot, but do not boil. 2Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and the coffee or espresso. Taste and adjust with more sugar or spices. 3Divide the mixture between two mugs. 4Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. Adam and Joanne's Tips Stronger pumpkin flavor: Over the years, some readers have noted that they would like the pumpkin to be more prominent in the latte. To do this, add 6 tablespoons of pumpkin puree to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until the puree reduces by 1/3 to 1/2. Watch for burning. Use as much of the reduced puree as you need to achieve the pumpkin flavor you enjoy. Alternatively, use pumpkin butter, see below. Pumpkin butter: Use pumpkin butter for a more prominent pumpkin flavor and a bit more sweetness (here’s our maple pumpkin butter). Since pumpkin butter already has some sugar added, you may need to adjust the sugar/maple syrup in the latte. Whipped cream: Here’s my whipped cream recipe or my favorite dairy-free topping, vegan coconut whipped cream. The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We assumed 2% milk and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Stronger pumpkin flavor: Over the years, some readers have noted that they would like the pumpkin to be more prominent in the latte. To do this, add 6 tablespoons of pumpkin puree to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until the puree reduces by 1/3 to 1/2. Watch for burning. Use as much of the reduced puree as you need to achieve the pumpkin flavor you enjoy. Alternatively, use pumpkin butter, see below. Pumpkin butter: Use pumpkin butter for a more prominent pumpkin flavor and a bit more sweetness (here’s our maple pumpkin butter). Since pumpkin butter already has some sugar added, you may need to adjust the sugar/maple syrup in the latte. Whipped cream: Here’s my whipped cream recipe or my favorite dairy-free topping, vegan coconut whipped cream. The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We assumed 2% milk and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Nutrition Per Serving Serving Size 1 drink / Calories 171 / Protein 9g / Carbohydrate 21g / Dietary Fiber 1g / Total Sugars 20g / Total Fat 6g / Saturated Fat 4g / Cholesterol 24mg AUTHOR: Joanne Gallagher We’re Adam and Joanne, a couple passionate about cooking and sharing delicious, reliable recipes since 2009. Our goal? To inspire you to get in the kitchen and confidently cook fresh and flavorful meals.More About Us Previous Post: How to Bake Crispy Bacon Next Post: Easy Olive Oil Bread Dip