Creamy Pumpkin Spice Latte
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The autumn season is fast approaching! Are you ready for fall? I certainly am! I have been holding in my autumn joy for a few weeks now.
If you are ready to embrace the flavor of fall, you will love this creamy pumpkin spice latte recipe. It is the perfect blend of velvety textures and aromatic spices. In this post, learn how to create this seasonal delight and enjoy the comfort of a coffee shop favorite at home.
I have made several versions of a homemade pumpkin spice latte at home, but none of them really measured up to the same creamy, velvety texture as those made at a coffee shop. It took a little experimenting, but I was able to recreate the same flavor, sweetness, and texture as the coffee shop drink at home with this recipe!
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the method:
This latte comes together with the use of real pumpkin to both flavor and color the drink. I did not want to use shots of espresso because honestly that would make the drink less accessible to most home cooks and I don’t love drinking a gigantic glass of warm milk/cream.
I decided to use an espresso roast coffee, or a super strong dark roast coffee would work well, to give off the flavor notes of espresso shots.
The flavor base is made with cream, half and half, or milk of your choice. Plant milks work great, if you prefer those! For a really rich drink, you can go with heavy cream. I think half and half is the best option.
The milk is warmed with delicious pumpkin puree, maple syrup for sweetness, cinnamon, and a little pinch of salt. The salt just brings out all of those flavors so beautifully!
how to layer a latte:
To layer your latte, it does not take much skill. You simply have to understand the density of the ingredients you are using.
First, you will pour in the milk layer, which will rest at the bottom.
The coffee is not as dense as the milk layer. Hold a spoon over the top of the milk layer, resting it just on top. Pour the coffee onto the spoon, and it will spill over the edge of the spoon and not fully mix into the milk layer, allowing it to rest on top. It will mix a little, but just wait, and it will settle.
Then, top the coffee with a layer of whipped cream, which will float on top. Done!
This recipe fits into 2 16 ounce mugs. It looks so cute when you use a clear glass mug so that you can see the layers! I used these mugs to make mine.
final thoughts:
There you have it! A perfectly rich and creamy pumpkin spiced latte. This is such a wonderfully comforting fall drink. It’s almost time to head out to your local apple orchard or pumpkin patch with your coffee in hand and marvel in the autumnal colors.
I hope that you enjoyed this little fall-inspired latte recipe! I will be making these all season long, I think! Whether you make it hot or iced, you will absolutely love being able to make this at home instead of running to the coffee shop.
xoxo Kayla
Creamy Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream, half-half, or milk of choice (plant milks work)
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) maple syrup
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) pumpkin puree
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- pinch sea salt
- 1 cup (240 ml) hot espresso roast or dark roast coffee
- Whipped cream, for topping
- Pinch of grated nutmeg, for topping
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the cream or milk of choice, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, cinnamon and salt. Stir well and warm over the stove. Do not boil. Remove the pot from heat.
- Pour the warm milk mixture into two 16 oz mugs, dividing it evenly. Then, top each mug off with the coffee.
- Top the lattes with whipped cream, if desired, and a sprinkle of ground nutmeg. Serve hot!
- Alternately, this could be made iced. Do not heat together the milk mixture and use cold coffee. Pour over ice.
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