Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

Skip the Starbucks drive-thru and make your own Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe at home with this easy, delicious recipe. Perfect for fall, this homemade PSL is quick to make and packed with cozy pumpkin spice flavor, ideal for satisfying your seasonal cravings anytime.

Ingredients to Make Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

Starbucks made lattes famous, along with many other coffee drinks. We’re now full steam into pumpkin spice season and fans line up all over the country to get that first cup of the year. Some years, the PSL season begins as early as mid-August along with pumpkin cream cold brew and pumpkin-flavored chai which are also popular menu items that feature warm and cozy fall spices.

By definition, a latte is a beverage made from espresso (a shot of strong coffee) and hot, steamed milk. It’s quite simple to make your own PSL at home using real pumpkin, and rest assured, you can do it at a fraction of the price. It also comes with the bonus of no waiting in long lines and you know exactly what’s going into it. That’s a kitchen win!

Checkout this quick list of ingredients you’ll need to make homemade copycat Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

• Pumpkin – Pumpkin purée gives these lattes their signature flavor.
• Liquid – Frothed milk (whole milk) plus espresso or dark brewed coffee made in a french press.
• Flavoring – Vanilla extract for warm floral notes.
• Sugar – Granulated sugar for sweetness.
• Spices – Pumpkin pie spice amps up the flavor.
• Whipped Cream – Whipped cream for serving plus additional pumpkin pie spice for garnishing.

How to Make the BEST Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

• Heat the Pumpkin Mixture – In a medium size pot or saucepan stir together pumpkin purée, sugar, pumpkin pie spice and espresso over medium heat. Whisk until combined and let simmer until heated thru then lower heat.
• Prepare Milk – Heat and froth 2 1/4 cup milk in a microwave safe bowl. Use a whisk, a frother or an immersion blender to froth the milk until foamy. (about 30 seconds)
• Combine Scalded Milk and Pumpkin – Whisk hot milk into the pan with the pumpkin mixture. Leave on the heat just until hot and steamy, remove from heat and whisk in vanilla extract.
• Pour into Mugs – Pour the pumpkin latte mixture into two (12 ounce) or three (8 ounce) coffee mugs leaving enough room to add whipped cream.
• Whipped Cream – Top with whipped cream and dust with additional pumpkin pie spice or ground cinnamon.
• Serve – Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, then serve hot with a piece of vanilla cake or  a moist pumpkin muffin topped with a sweet cream cheese filling and a sprinkling of chopped, spiced pepitas.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Easy Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

• One deep medium size saucepan.
• Large whisk for combining the milk with the pumpkin mixture.
• Microwave safe bowl to heat the milk. You could also heat the milk in a small saucepan on the stovetop.
• Milk Frother – If you don’t have a milk frother, you can still make your own latte. You can vigorously whisk by hand, use an immersion blender or a stand mixer. You could even use a hand mixer in a pinch to whip the milk until it becomes frothy. When all else fails, use a mason jar and shake, shake shake!
• Measuring cups, tablespoons and teaspoons.
• Your favorite mug for serving.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions for Pumpkin Spice Lattes

• Maple Latte – Give the flavor a maple flavor by adding a splash of maple syrup or maple extract to taste.
• Sugar – You can opt to add a spoonful of light brown sugar to the pumpkin mixture while making your pumpkin spice latte for an extra depth of flavor. Brown sugar is simply another sweetener option for those who prefer a richer, caramel-like sweetness in their homemade latte.
• Spices – Pumpkin pie spice isn’t difficult to find at this time of year. In fact, I’ve been able to find it year-round at our local grocery stores on the spice aisle. It’s a blend of ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves.
• Homemade Pumpkin Spice Blend – If you prefer to make your own spice blend you’ll need: 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon, ground ginger, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (or adjust this to your taste) and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves and 1/8 tsp allspice, sifted together in a small bowl. Please note, all of these amounts can be adjusted to suit your personal taste.
• Leave Room for Whipped Cream – Whipped cream topping is a must! Leave about an inch of headspace at the top of the mug to allow room for the whipped cream on top.
• Adjust the Servings as Needed – This pumpkin spice latte recipe easily doubles and triples depending on the serving quantity needed. When doing so, you can adjust the amounts of sweetness and spices to your personal taste. Add a couple of shots of espresso or brown sugar. You can also adapt using your favorite sugar substitute.
• Homemade Pumpkin Puree – Make your own homemade pumpkin puree recipe here.

Storage and Leftovers

• Reheating – Pumpkin Spice Lattes are best made and enjoyed. Should you choose to make them in advance, reheat gently in a saucepan over medium heat until steamy. Top with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, and enjoy.
• Leftovers – Should you have any leftover Pumpkin Spice Lattes, store it in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Enjoy PSL warm or cold.

More Pumpkin Recipes to Make

• Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Pound Cake is a scratch made cake ideal for any fall celebration.
• Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Trifle is a stunning addition to the table.
• Pumpkin Spice Layered Lush is a seasonal spin on lush desserts.
• Pumpkin Pecan Cookies are frosted with a cream cheese glaze.
• Pumpkin Snack Cake with Browned Butter Frosting is made in a jelly roll pan.
• Pumpkin Whoopie Pies are always a hit with kids of all ages.
• Quick Pumpkin Pudding from Very Best Baking.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Glass Coffee Mugs
• Milk Frother
• Saucepan
• Measuring Set