Pumpkin Spice Latte

One of my favorite things about fall, and there are many, is the all too brief appearance of the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks.  That being said, I hate Starbucks.  They have a social agenda that makes my hair stand on end and they are waaaay too expensive.  I really crave a pumpkin spice latte everyday but I am not willing to spend $5.40 a pop and then have my money go toward all of that. If they were pouring money into Life Centers I would drive through everyday but that doesn't seem too likely to happen. So the appearance of the drink at Starbucks merely reminds me to start making them at home. There is a Starbucks in my local grocery store so the drink of the season is always displayed prominently.

Last year, due to a longing for the drink, I spent some time Googling and experimenting and I came up with a really close match.  It tastes remarkably close to the expensive version and its quick to make for an afternoon treat. I use my Cocoa-Latte Machine but a regular pot works fine.

~~Pumpkin Spice Latte~
2 cups milk
1 cup very strong coffee (using organic decaf these days)
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons sugar (or one packet of Splenda)
1 teaspoon cinnamon (plus extra for dusting)
2 heaping spoonfuls of pumpkin (canned is fine)

Pour all of the ingredients into a pot and heat over medium-high heat until the coffee is steaming hot. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream & cinnamon. Enjoy!

If I am feeling decadent I will top this with whipped cream.  Since I am pregnant the whipped cream is a given. This is really the only flavored coffee I drink (does Irish coffee count as flavored?) so I am picky about it. I promise this recipe will make you happy and save you mucho dinero. Which you should then donate to your local Life Center.

Comments

[Jennifer]

I'm just commenting to say that I love that you hate Starbucks. I'm with ya! Everything you said and I personally think their coffee tastes terrible.

[Michele Quigley]

Mmm...sounds delicious! I will definitely try this.

And you know I hate Starbucks right along with Wal-Mart. :-)

[Meredith]

Oh boy, this is JUST what I need this week, bless you :)

[Sue]

Oh my! I must dig out that can of pumpkin left over from last Christmas and give this a try!

I found your lovely blog through Dawn at By Sun and Candlelight. I also have a son with special needs as well (no official diagnosis yet, but we are sure he is autistic). I am bookmarking your blog so that I can read about your experiences with homescooling your dear son. Thank you for sharing with those of us who haven't come as far yet!

[Robin]

I, also, have to comment to another Starbucks-hater. Not only their politics, not only the prices, but the assumption by the world at large that its a "must-have", another term I despise.

Hooray for those of us who still make coffee at home!!

[amy]

My sister swears they must put something in there to make it so addicting...

I looooove these too...

I will try your recipe, but canned pumpkin....really??

[Margaret in Minnesota]

Madame, I THANK you for this recipe.

[Angi]

This sounds like breakfast to me. I will have to remember (at 5 am) to make it!

[Ruth]

Thisis just what I was talking about with my daughter. I'm certainly going to make this. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

[shannon]

Hi,
I stay away from starbucks as well, but I do go to Peets Coffee and Tea and they have a pumpkin spice latte that I have been indulging in lately. This recipe sounds great, i'm going to give it a try today! Thanks.

[shannon]

Hi,
I stay away from starbucks as well, but I do go to Peets Coffee and Tea and they have a pumpkin spice latte that I have been indulging in lately. This recipe sounds great, i'm going to give it a try today! Thanks.

[Maria]

Sounds way too yummy!

Wish we could chat over a mug or two or three or...well you get the picture!

Cheers!

[Emily]

Thanks for the recipe, this sounds delicious! I've never had a pumpkin spice latte before, so this will be fun to try!

[Angela]

that looks so yummy! i love anything pumpkin-y, and am going to give it a try later this week when i have a few girlfriends over for a visit. i can't wait to spoil them with this awesome recipe! (although it looks so good, i may make some just for me this afternoon!)

[Elizabeth]

Oh no, I am one of their weirdos who likes starbucks (got me through college/grad school) but I am not that aware of their political agenda. Can someone fill me in our send me a link?

(i'd love a good reason to break my starbucks habit once & for all though I'm really much better now, just occassionally, or if we travel...)

[Jennifer G. Miller]

This is dh's favorite drink (although he loves the Peppermint one, too) from Starbucks. I appreciate it...I'll be very popular trying this at home.