DIY Classic Pumpkin Spice Latte

Whether you're enjoying the lazy days of summer or not, brace yourself for fall because the prized PSL is coming to you from all angles before the air turns crisp. We're talking about the popular pumpkin spiced latte that has people lining up to grab their cup of coziness and sip themselves into the next season. There's just something about the combination of coffee mixed with pumpkin spice flavors and frothy milk that has people hooked.

Recipe developer Miriam Hahn brings us this recipe for a DIY classic pumpkin spice latte and says, "I love the flavors of fall and with this recipe, you can whip up your own version any time you want. It's always fun to grab a coffee drink while you're out, but sometimes it's just easier to stay in your pj's and make one at home."

So, mosey on over to the kitchen, and get ready to enjoy the taste of fall. In less than 15 minutes, you'll be sipping on the latte of your dreams.

To make this recipe, you'll need some espresso coffee. "As an alternative to espresso, you can use cold brew if you have some of that made in your fridge, or just an extra strong cup of coffee," Hahn shares. Then you'll need pumpkin puree, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. "Make sure to buy pumpkin puree instead of pumpkin pie filling. You'll have some leftover pumpkin puree so you can make some pumpkin cookies with the leftovers," Hahn remarks. You'll, of course, need some of the famous fall spices — cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and ground cloves. "If you have pumpkin pie spice on hand, you can use 1½ teaspoons of that instead of these individual spices to simplify things," Hahn explains. Lastly, pick up some milk of your choice.

"If want to make this recipe vegan, soy milk and oat milk froth exceptionally well," Hahn shares. You can top your latte with whipped cream and extra cinnamon if desired, so grab some of that if you're going for fancy!

The first step in making this delicious latte is to combine the espresso with all of the pumpkin flavors. Grab a small pot and add the espresso, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. "When you heat up the mixture, the pumpkin puree thins out and its pumpkin flavor is enhanced by the maple syrup and spices," Hahn explains.

Whisk the mixture over low heat for about 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to a simmer. You'll want to keep this nice and warm while moving on to the next step.

To make the milk frothy and creamy, first warm it up in another small pot, bringing the heat to medium-low. "It's important not to boil the milk. You want it warm and steamy, but not scalding."

You can froth the milk with an electric frother, a handheld frother, or a French press. If you're using a French press, pour the milk in, and using the plunger, pull up and down in a swift motion for about 3 minutes or until the milk is light and foamy. "At first, it might not seem like anything is happening, but after a couple of minutes, you'll see the milk has transformed into a light and bubbly froth," Hahn shares.

You're minutes away from enjoying your DIY PSL. Distribute the coffee mixture into 2 mugs and pour the frothy milk on top. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired. 

The pumpkin spiced latte is ready to serve. You can split the recipe in half if you are only making one or just save the extra coffee mixture in the fridge for another time. Now you can avoid the lines, sit back, and welcome the fall season with a homemade cozy spiced latte without ever leaving the house!