This Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe is no ordinary latte. It has real pumpkin purée along with a balanced blend of pumpkin pie spices to make it irresistible.
If you love pumpkin spiced recipes, you’ll love my easy pumpkin spice cupcakes and pumpkin cake recipe!
Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
Nothing gives me the cozy fall feels like a homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte. You’ll love this recipe that brings real flavor with pure pumpkin puree and this Ghirardelli White Chocolate Powder.
- TASTE: It’s made with real pumpkin and warm spices for a potent flavor. With a hint of white chocolate, this latte is decadent and delicious.
- TEXTURE: This Pumpkin Spice Latte is creamy and rich.
- TIME: It takes just 5 minutes to make.
- EASE: This simple homemade latte recipe is super easy. It will make you forget all about Starbucks.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Pumpkin puree- Adding this makes the latte extra creamy and flavorful.
- Pumpkin pie spices- This combination of spices gives your latte the distinctive pumpkin flavor that we love.
- White Chocolate powder- This adds a decadent chocolate flavor. I buy mine from a local bulk foods store called Smart Foodservice Warehouse formerly known as Cash and Carry but Amazon has it as well.
- Espresso- Make sure you use espresso and not coffee as it will not have the same flavor or potency.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Add extra shots- Give this drink an extra kick with additional shots of espresso.
- Make it dairy-free- Substitute the milk with almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or oat milk.
- Make your own spice mix- You can make and tweak your own pumpkin spice recipe by combining ground cinnamon, ginger, clove, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Substitute the white chocolate powder- Technically there really isn’t a similar substitute for white chocolate powder, but you can use pumpkin spice syrup inn its place.
How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Combine the puree with the powders. In a small saucepan, whisk together the pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, and white chocolate powder over medium heat.
- Add the liquids. Add in the milk and let it come to a simmer over medium-high heat. Then pour in the fresh espresso and give it a good whisk. Serve hot in a mug or glass.
Pro Tip: Make this a nighttime treat by using decaf espresso in place of the caffeinated espresso.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t substitute coffee- Because espresso is stronger in flavor and caffeination, substituting coffee will not be the same. It works in a pinch, but this is better with espresso.
- Make the espresso without an espresso machine- You can either make your own using a Moka pot or French press. Or you can just mix 2 tsp instant espresso powder with 3 tbsp of boiling water.
- Use richer milks- 2% or whole milk is best for a rich and creamy pumpkin spice latte. If you use lower fat milks, like skim milk, then the latte will be thinner.
- Add toppings- Add a dollop of whipped cream or chantilly cream and sprinkle some pumpkin pie spices on top for a beautiful presentation.
FAQs
There is real pumpkin puree in Starbucks’ pumpkin sauce. This recipe also uses real pumpkin puree because it adds a creamy texture and great flavor to this PSL.
Pumpkin Spice Latte is so good because the mixture of pumpkin pie spices with pumpkin puree gives you the perfect cozy flavor. White chocolate powder or vanilla extract enhance that flavor and add decadence. Richer milks are also a must for the best creamy texture.
Serving Suggestions
This homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe is the perfect morning treat or afternoon pick-me-up. Serve it with breakfast, pastries, pies, and more.
- Breakfast: Serve this latte with Eggs Benedict, German Pancakes (VIDEO), Buttery Belgian Liege Waffles, or Egg Sandwiches.
- Pastries: Enjoy this drink with some Cherry Danishes, Easy Cheese Danish Pastries (VIDEO), Apricot Rugelach (VIDEO), or Homemade Nutella Croissants.
- Cookies: Treat yourself to a PSL and some White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies, Soft Snickerdoodle Cookies, Gingersnap Cookies, or Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies.
- Cakes/Pies: Serve this with a slice of Pumpkin Cheesecake (VIDEO), Tiramisu Cake (VIDEO), Chocolate Mousse Cake, or Chocolate Cream Pie.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: You can prepare the pumpkin puree with spices and chocolate powder ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to make the latte.
Storing: Store this Pumpkin Spice Latte in a lidded cup in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Freeze: I don’t advise freezing this drink. But you could freeze it in ice cube trays to be added to an iced coffee or an iced Pumpkin Spice Latte.
More Decadent Drinks!
Full Recipe Instructions
Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp pumpkin purée
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 2 tbsp white chocolate powder
- 3/4 cup milk 2 % or whole
- 1 shot strong espresso 1 1/2 oz, or 3 tbsp
- Whipped heavy cream for topping optional
Instructions
- In a small saucepan whisk together pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, and 2 tbsp white chocolate powder over medium heat.
- Add in the milk and let it come to a simmer over medium-high heat. Then pour in the fresh espresso and give it a good whisk. Add a dollop of whipped cream and serve hot.
Notes
- Don’t substitute coffee- Because espresso is stronger in flavor and caffeination, substituting coffee will not be the same. It works in a pinch, but this is better with espresso.
- Make the espresso without an espresso machine- You can either make your own using a Moka pot or French press. Or you can just mix 2 tsp instant espresso powder with 3 tbsp of boiling water.
- Use richer milks- 2% or whole milk is best for a rich and creamy pumpkin spice latte. If you use lower fat milks, like skim milk, then the latte will be thinner.
- Add toppings- Add a dollop of whipped cream or chantilly cream and sprinkle some pumpkin pie spices on top for a beautiful presentation.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on October 12, 2018, we’ve tweaked it a bit since then.
Disclaimer:
- All opinions are mine. I only promote products that I absolutely love.
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Jenny says
I’m so impressed with the way this turned out. It had the perfect amount of sweetness, and a well balanced pumpkin spice flavor. Now I don’t have to go out to a coffee shop to get my pumpkin spice lattes anymore! This recipe was amazing! Thank you.
simplyhomecooked says
Wow, thats awesome Jenny! Isn’t it the greatest feeling, knowing you can recreate your favorite coffee shop drinks right at home?? That means you can have it anytime you want!! 🙂
Anna says
Thank you, I will definitely give it a try! So would I just mix the powder with the milk right away then, and then add the expresso? That way I wont be mixing the powder by itself.
simplyhomecooked says
If you won’t be using pumpkin puree or pumpkin pie spice, you can just place the white chocolate powder into your cup and add the espresso in, then pour the hot milk into the cup 🙂
Anna says
This looks delicious! Im not a big fan of pumpkin spice so is it possible to omit it from the recipe? Or do you have any recipes for a white chocolate mocha? I like both of the pictures, hard to choose one:)
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Anna, you can totally omit the pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin puree and it will be a white chocolate mocha 🙂 I’m glad you like both photos! 😉