Creamy pumpkin spice latte in a clear glass topped with whipped cream and pumpkin spice dust

Mga Dessert

The Best Pumpkin Spice Latte

Name: The Best Pumpkin Spice Latte
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 6 min
Total time: 8 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: North American
Ingredients: - 1.5 TBSP (23 ml) pumpkin puree; - 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice (store-bought or homemade blend), plus more for sprinkling on top; - pinch of freshly ground black pepper; - 1 TBSP (12 g) white sugar; - 1 cup (240 ml) milk; - pinch of salt; - 2 tsp (10 ml) vanilla extract (yes! that much!); - 1/4 cup–1/3 cup (60–80 ml) espresso, freshly brewed; - whipped cream, for serving (about 2–3 TBSP/30–45 ml per drink)

Hard to believe it's already the pumpkin spice season! And this is a fantastic recipe to keep you warm and cozy during this time of year!

5.0 (3)

Prep

2 min

Luto

6 min

Kabuuan

8 min

Sinerve

Estilo

🍽 Elevated

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Originally Published Setyembre 2023•Last Updated Setyembre 2023

Mga Sangkap

Mga Serving:

23 ml pumpkin puree
3 ml pumpkin spice (store-bought or homemade blend), plus more for sprinkling on top
pinch of freshly ground black pepper
12 g white sugar
240 ml milk
pinch of salt
10 ml vanilla extract (yes! that much!)
60 ml –1/3 cup espresso, freshly brewed
30 ml whipped cream, for serving (about /30–45 ml per drink)

Mga Tagubilin

Pumpkin Spice Base
1
Heat the pumpkin puree with pumpkin spice and pepper in a medium pot over medium heat. Cook for about 2 minutes until darker in colour and fragrant. Add the sugar and cook for another minute or so until syrupy. Add the milk and cook (without letting it come to a boil) until heated through. Stir in the vanilla and salt. Blend with a hand-held blender or regular blender until smooth and frothy.
Assembly
2
Add the frothed milk to a cup. Pour the espresso over it. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with more pumpkin spice.

📝 Mga Notes ni Ellen

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Blend

Simply combine 1 tbsp (15ml) cinnamon, 2 tsp (10ml) ground ginger, 1/2 tsp (2.5ml) allspice, 1/2 tsp (2.5ml) ground cloves, and 1/2 tsp (2.5ml) nutmeg. Store the rest in an airtight container as you will only need a little bit for your drink.

Homemade Whipped Cream

Whip 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream with 1 tbsp (15ml) sugar and salt until medium or medium-stiff peaks form.

FAQ

Can you make pumpkin spice latte ahead of time?+

Yes! You can prepare the pumpkin spice base (everything except the espresso) up to 3 days ahead and store it in the fridge—just reheat gently before adding your fresh espresso and whipped cream.

What can you substitute for the vanilla extract in pumpkin spice latte?+

You can use 1/2 teaspoon of maple extract or omit it entirely, though the vanilla adds a subtle warmth that balances the spice—almond extract isn't recommended as it overpowers the pumpkin flavor.

Why does my pumpkin spice latte taste gritty or separated?+

You likely skipped the blending step or didn't blend long enough—use a hand-blender for a full minute to break down the pumpkin puree and create a smooth, creamy texture instead of lumpy.

Can you make pumpkin spice latte with non-dairy milk?+

Absolutely! Oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk all work beautifully—use the same amount, though oat milk creates the richest, creamiest result closest to this original recipe.