So October comes around and one thing on everybody’s minds is pumpkins. You may think this is strange, but do not deny that you all run the Dunkin’ Donuts at least once a weekend in the fall to pick up you pumpkin muffins and lattes. These pumpkin treats are always fall favorites, but isn’t it horrible how you can only get these 2 months out of the year? And isn’t your wallet hurting a little from all those weekend trips? Well, if you are looking to have your pumpkin favorites year-round and save some money, look not further. I have a quick and easy way that you can have your spiced pumpkin lattes whenever you want and it won’t cost you a thing.
With just six ingredients, you are just ten minutes away from making your own pumpkin latte and saving money while you are at it! The most important ingredients to this recipe are pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice. Without these two ingredients, your latte will not have all the pumpkin-packed flavor you desire. For the pumpkin, the best possible thing to use is the canned pumpkin from the grocery store; one can of this has enough pumpkin to make you at least ten lattes! Then, pumpkin spice – the second crucial ingredient – is just an ordinary spice you most likely have around the house; even though it seems odd and uncommon, I actually had it in my house, so you probably will too (if you are unsure where this would be, check your spice cabinet or you can always ask your parents for help finding it).
Now that you have the two most important ingredients, you only need 4 more, which are milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and coffee. Once you have all of these, you are ready to get started. What I did first, and what I recommend all of you to do first, is brew the coffee. You will not need a lot (only about 1/2 a cup) so make sure you do not make more than one mug full. By making the coffee first, the coffee machine will be doing all of the work for you when it comes to the coffee, so you can get everything else done.
So, as the coffee is brewing, you can get started on making the pumpkin flavoring. To do this, you will need the following: milk, canned pumpkin, sugar, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice. To start, put 2 cups milk, 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin, and 1 – 2 tablespoons of sugar (personally, I have a major sweet tooth so I put a little more than 2 tablespoons, but if you like a little less sugar than that is okay, too) in a saucepan. Heat all of this over medium heat until it is hot, but make sure you do not boil. I found about 5 minutes over the heat was good.
After the ingredients in the pot are hot, you can remove it from the heat and add the remaining ingredients. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice, 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup of the coffee you brewed earlier. Once this is all mixed together, your latte is done! You can finish by pouring the finished product into a mug.
Once everything is finished, there is still one last step you can take in order to bring your latte to perfection. One of my personal favorites to add to any hot drink is whipped cream. So, feel free to top your drink of with a little or even a lot of whipped cream; and if you are feeling daring, you can take a dash of pumpkin pie spice and sprinkle it over the top of your latte. This will add a perfect amount of a delicious flavoring to a already delicious fall treat.
