Pumpkin Butter Is The Secret To Effortless Homemade PSLs

Even if you're not a Starbucks fan, you'd be hard-pressed to say that the Pumpkin Spice Latte isn't a genius idea — it's the perfect seasonal drink to enjoy in the fall and winter months. Plus, its flavor profile is nothing short of cozy with its notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, as well as the star of the show: earthy, sweet pumpkin. However, the price of buying PSLs too frequently at Starbucks is going to add up quickly, much to the detriment of your wallet, so it certainly does not hurt to learn how to make them at home.

As it turns out, the secret to effortless homemade pumpkin spice lattes is none other than pumpkin butter — something that you may already have in your home, especially if you're a pumpkin lover. To do this, you need just one tablespoon of pumpkin butter, which will easily dissolve into any hot liquid — the hot espresso will do all of the work for you.

Using the pumpkin butter to make yourself a pumpkin spice latte really couldn't be easier. First things first, you'll need a container of pumpkin butter — you can even make your own pumpkin spice butter, which can be whipped up in less than 30 minutes if you can't find it in stores (or you just want the homemade version). 

Most pumpkin spice recipes will call for pumpkin spice syrup (which can either be bought or made at home), but the pumpkin butter will replace the syrup entirely. Meanwhile, Tasting Table's recipe for a classic pumpkin spice latte uses more natural ingredients, such as pumpkin puree and spices, which are certainly delicious if you have the time, but using pre-made pumpkin butter will save you a good amount of effort. Again, the butter will replace the puree and the spices entirely.

In short, when using pumpkin butter, the only other ingredients you need for a PSL are milk and espresso. To bring it all together, pour the hot espresso into the mug first, followed by the tablespoon of pumpkin butter (remember, it will be dissolved by the hot liquid), then add in the milk, which you froth before pouring it into the mug.