I am going to be 100% honest. I HATE pumpkin spice lattes. So why am I writing a blog post on the pumpkin spice latte? Because I love Cambodian iced coffee and Chai so I married the two to make a pumpkin spice sauce that is so freakin delicious I put it on yogurt, oatmeal, and ice cream. It is in my opinion the best pumpkin sauce you’ll ever try!
There’s something undeniably cozy about sipping on a warm (or cold) and aromatic pumpkin spice latte during the crisp autumn season. But who says you have to venture out to your local coffee shop to enjoy this seasonal delight? Not only is this super easy to make at home but you have full control of the ingredients, flavor, and sweetness.
If you are a regular around here you may remember that I made a blog post about 25 Starbucks dupes you can make at home, and I intentionally left out the recipe of this yummy PSL because I thought It deserved its very own post.
With a few simple ingredients and a little time, you can create your better-than-Starbucks dupe pumpkin spice latte at home. In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the process of making a delectable pumpkin spice sauce that will leave you craving more.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase I receive a tiny commission at no extra cost.
Firstly let me make it clear that I am referring to this concoction as a sauce but it could also be called a syrup. For my purposes, I will be referring to it as a sauce.
Gather the Ingredients: All of the items to make this can be found on my Amazon storefront.
To start your journey to pumpkin spice latte perfection, make sure you have the following ingredients: I am lactose intolerant but will take lactaide pills for this drink!
1 tablespoon good quality vanilla
1/2 cup of water
2/3 cup of Real Pumpkin Puree: Opt for a trusted brand like Libby’s for the most authentic flavor. It has to be pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling.
1 – 14 oz can of Sweetened Condensed Milk: Not to be confused with evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk adds a luscious sweetness to the latte.
Tools:
Something to stir everything with, I use a silicon spatula.
1 spice bag or cheesecloth for steeping the spices
A mason jar of dispenser for storage of the sauce
Mix Up the Pumpkin Sauce
Now that you have your ingredients ready, it’s time to create the star of the show—the pumpkin sauce. Follow these simple steps:
Heat your pot over medium heat.
Add your spices to the heated pot (not the nutmeg) and stir for about 8 min or until really fragrant. We are just blooming the spices at this point.
Remove the spices from the pot and set aside.
Add your 1/2 cup of water and coconut sugar to the pot. Bring up to a gentle boil and stir until all the sugar has dissolved.
Once the sugar is dissolved add your spices to the syrup. I place the allspice berries and cloves into a spice bag so they are easy to fish out once the spices have steeped. Shut off the heat and leave spices to steep for 10 min.
Remove spices from the syrup.
Add in the nutmeg, vanilla, pumpkin, and sweetened condensed milk and stir.
Pour the pumpkin sauce into a mason jar or airtight container and refrigerate. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken. This will last in the refrigerator for a week if sealed tightly.
Enjoy Your Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
The true unsung hero of this recipe is the coconut sugar. It has such a natural depth of flavor that lends itself so well to this recipe. In my opinion, you should not substitute for any other sugar to make this. I also believe that blooming the spices and steeping them makes the sauce a more chai-like spice than the traditional pumpkin spice.
Forgive me if I’m wrong but part of the “hype’ around this latte, in particular, is the cozy connotations that surround this drink. For that reason, I believe that you have to wait to indulge until the first leaves start to fall and the mornings are crisp. In my opinion, this adds immensely to the charm and coziness of the drink. It also helps if you have a beautiful cup or mug to drink out of and maybe a good book, blog, or podcast. And yes, I am that corny!
Pumpkin Spice Sauce in my “You’ve Been Snuggled” gift basket.
Now that your pumpkin sauce is ready, it’s time to incorporate it into your favorite coffee creations. Here’s how to enjoy your homemade pumpkin spice latte:
Brew your favorite coffee, whether a shot of espresso, a strong cup of black coffee, or even a refreshing batch of iced coffee. Use a nice coffee that is not too acidic. Portland Coffee Roasters makes hands down the smoothes coffee in my humble Portlander opinion. I dare you to come at me! lol.
Add approximately 3 tablespoons of the pumpkin sauce to your coffee. Feel free to adjust the quantity to suit your taste preferences—you can add more if you’re a true pumpkin enthusiast!
Stir the latte gently to ensure the pumpkin sauce is fully incorporated.
To take your homemade pumpkin spice latte to the next level, consider topping it with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon. Consider gifting this to someone who loves pumpkin spice. Would also make a great hostess gift! I’ve made a cute recipe card for you to download and print.
You don’t have to leave home to have a rich spicy pumpkin spice latte
With this easy-to-follow recipe, you can savor the comforting flavors of a pumpkin spice latte right in your home. Skip the long lines and hefty price tags at the coffee shop, and treat yourself to a steaming cup of fall bliss. Embrace the season and enjoy the aromatic notes of pumpkin, spices, and a touch of sweetness—a true delight for your taste buds.
Remember, the beauty of making your pumpkin spice latte lies in the customization. Feel free to experiment with additional flavors like vanilla extract or a sprinkle of cocoa powder. Enjoy the fall season to the fullest with this delicious homemade Starbucks dupe pumpkin spice latte!
Want to know how to make 25 other Starbucks dupes OR how to make your own flavored sugar cubes? Check out these posts!
Makes me want to make it right now. Sounds delicious