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GET IT NOWHere’s Why My Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe Is Better Than A Cafe
As much as I love a Starbucks trip now and then, I much prefer to put my fancy coffee maker to work at home. It’s cheaper, and with the right coffee beans, I think it’s tastier. Especially in the fall when I start craving a pumpkin spice latte. Here’s why my homemade version is better (and you don’t need a fancy coffee machine to make it):
- Made with real pumpkin – Some coffee shops don’t even use real pumpkin, and the ones that do have more sugar than anything else. My pumpkin spice latte recipe uses actual pumpkin puree together with pumpkin pie spice, and it’s all the better for it.
- Extra creamy texture – In my mind, a PSL is a comforting kind of drink that’s a little fancy, so I want it super creamy, even if I’m not going to the coffee shop! So, I’ve come up with two easy tricks to make it creamer than others I’ve tried.
- Clean ingredients – And no refined sugar. Unlike going out, I love that I know exactly what’s in it.
- Easy to whip up at home – With just a few ingredients, you’ll have all the cozy coffee shop vibes in your own kitchen in 5 minutes.
This pumpkin spice latte is perfect on chilly mornings with a slice of my almond flour pumpkin bread. Make it with me, and let’s make the most of pumpkin season!
Reader Review
“This was SOOOO delicious!! Thanks for posting such a simple, tasty recipe to scratch that fall PSL itch.” –Julie
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my pumpkin spice latte recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Pumpkin Puree – You can’t have a homemade pumpkin spice latte without real pumpkin! Just be sure to grab plain canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling (that one’s loaded with sugar and spices already). If you have leftover roasted pumpkin, you can certainly puree and use that, too. I’ve even used leftover roasted butternut squash or acorn squash — just puree them!
- Brewed Coffee – Traditionally, a latte is made with espresso, but strong coffee totally works if you don’t have an espresso machine. I do about 1/2 cup strong black coffee or 1/4 cup espresso.
- Milk Of Your Choice – I originally made this pumpkin spice latte with unsweetened almond milk, but these days I prefer and use whole milk more often. Any other milk you love will work.
- Cream – Heavy cream is optional, but it’s my first easy trick to make this homemade PSL extra creamy! If you’re dairy-free, canned coconut cream is a good stand-in.
- Besti Powdered Monk Fruit Allulose Blend – My go-to sweetener here, because it dissolves almost instantly, without any gritty texture, aftertaste, or refined sugar. Unless you’re fine with sugar, most other sweeteners sink to the bottom and don’t dissolve (this includes other brands of monk fruit, stevia, etc.) You can use a liquid sweetener, like my liquid allulose.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice – Mine is a cozy mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice. Feel free to use store-bought if you like.
- Vanilla Extract – Just a splash, because to me every latte needs it!
- Toppings – I love a swirl of whipped cream, a sprinkle of extra pumpkin spice, and a cinnamon stick to make the drink feel coffee-shop fancy.
How To Make A Pumpkin Spice Latte
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Warm up the base. Mix the milk, cream, pumpkin, Besti, and spices. Heat gently in the microwave or on the stove. I usually warm mine on the stove, then pour it into a mug.
- Add vanilla. Stir in a splash of vanilla for that cozy note.
- Froth the base. Use a milk frother (or even a blender) to make the pumpkin milk mixture light and frothy. This is my second easy trick to make my pumpkin spice latte extra creamy!
- Pour in the hot coffee or espresso. Add whipped cream and a sprinkle of spice if you want, and your homemade PSL is ready to sip!
My Recipe Tips & Shortcuts
- I like warming mine on the stove, because it gives the spices a chance to bloom. But the microwave is quicker if you’re in a rush.
- For a stronger pumpkin flavor, double the pumpkin puree and/or pumpkin spice. I actually increased it from my original recipe years ago and like it as written now, but some of my friends that tried this preferred it with even more pumpkin flavor. Just keep in mind that if you increase the pumpkin puree, decrease the amount of milk by the same amount, so that it all fits in your mug.
- Add the vanilla after removing from heat. I’ve tried mixing it in while heating, but the flavor kind of disappears. Adding it at the end keeps that sweet, fragrant vanilla note that makes the latte taste so much better.
- Do you have to use a milk frother? No, but I highly recommend it! I have and love this milk frother. I’ve also tested this pumpkin spice latte recipe in a blender and that also works well. The PSL turns out more airy, so a slightly different texture. I wasn’t a fan of just stirring.
- Can you skip the cream? Yes! I’ve made this pumpkin spice latte with milk alone and it’s still delicious. I just love the splash of cream for extra richness. I do find it too thin using almond milk alone, though.
- Lower or caffeine free options: I’ve gotten this question a lot, so I had to test and find out. YES, this recipe works just as well with decaf coffee or brewed tea! Feel free to use one of those if you prefer.
- How to make an iced pumpkin spice latte: Just let the pumpkin mixture cool, pour it over ice, and then add the coffee. I like to use cold brew for an extra smooth flavor. Plus, the ice doesn’t melt as fast as pouring hot coffee over it.
Pumpkin Spice Latte (Extra Creamy)
My extra creamy, homemade pumpkin spice latte is the perfect cozy fall drink! Make it with real pumpkin, warm spices, and no refined sugar.
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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Microwave method: Stir together the milk, cream, pumpkin puree, Besti, and pumpkin pie spice in 12-ounce mug. Microwave for 45 to 60 seconds, until hot.
Stove-top method: Stir together the milk, cream, pumpkin puree, Besti, and pumpkin pie spice in a small saucepan over low heat, until hot. Pour into a mug.
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Stir in the vanilla extract.
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Use a milk frother to blend the mixture until frothy. (Alternatively, you can blend in a blender.)
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Stir in the brewed coffee. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice (optional).
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 pumpkin spice latte
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best flavor, and alternatives without a milk frother, without caffeine, or the iced version.
- Make ahead: I always brew my coffee fresh, but sometimes I mix up the base in advance to save time. You can easily blend or froth it right before serving. If you want to scale up multiple servings, it’s about a scant cup (between 3/4 and 1 cup) of the pumpkin milk mixture base, before adding the coffee.
- Note on nutrition info: I calculated the nutrition info here using almond milk and including the optional heavy cream, but without the whipped cream on top. The numbers will be different if you use dairy milk (or another type of milk), omit the cream, or add the whipped cream on top.
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Pumpkin Spice Latte
More Cozy Pumpkin Recipes
If you can’t get enough pumpkin this time of year, here are more cozy pumpkin recipes I make on repeat:
56 Comments
Christine
2I thought I wouldn’t like this with the almond milk, but the pumpkin and heavy whipping cream actually make it quite smooth and creamy. I’ve been dying for a fancy latte, and this hit the spot!
Linda Smith
1Made this today for a non-keto family member visiting and she enjoyed it as well… nice afternoon treat!
Lizzie
0I have made the recipe multiple times. I make it with almond milk. I do add the cream. Light. Great flavor. Easy to make.
Wholesome Yum D
0Thanks, Lizzie! I’m so glad it’s become a regular for you. Love that it still works great with almond milk and a splash of cream!
JOY! Julie
0My mouth is doing a happy dance. I just used a half a cup of strong tea since I am not a fan of coffee. And I also tapped on your pumpkin spice mix because I used up my last batch. This came together in just a few minutes, even making it on the stove And it’s so satisfying! I love getting your emails with recipes, and sometimes just seeing them directly on Facebook. I am a fan!
Wholesome Yum D
0I’m so happy to hear that! I love your tea swap and that the pumpkin spice mix came in handy too. Thank you for following along, it means a lot that you’re enjoying the recipes both in email and on Facebook!
Cheryl Billings
0Made this recipe for my friends. It was great tasting, and easy to create.
Wholesome Yum D
0Cheryl, I’m happy to hear it turned out great and was easy to make! That’s wonderful that you shared it with friends too. 🙂
Susan Ripley
0I’m not a coffee drinker. Love the smell but not the taste. Can I just leave out the coffee or is something else I can substitute?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Susan, You can use tea instead of coffee.
No Name
0Instead of coffee, I boiled hot water and steeped chai tea bag for 5 to 10 min to make it strong while I mixed the rest of recipe. The chai tea added a wonderful fall flavor to PSL!
Shelly
0It was simple, clean and delicious. I love being able to adjust the level of sweetness each time I make it depending on taste. thanks yet again!!
Oh, I don’t recommend reheating the cup multiple times, the cream didn’t like that. Make sure you drink it once it’s made.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I’m glad you liked it, Shelly! Thanks for the tip on reheating.
Carol L
0I’ll probably make this just to try it. I do like pumpkin. I will use heavy cream* for the base, not almond milk, as I like mine creamier, my own pumpkin puree, but instead of the whipped cream on top, I have an electric frother, it warms the froth which LASTS a LONG time, and put that on top. I already had a Zulay frother, but bought 2 more for spares (and the website had 2 nice colors!).
* I do have an Almond Cow, and MAY make my own almond milk and use…..
PS: I RARELY give 5 *, so the 4* is really a good rating from me!
Susan
0I wish I liked coffee! I may give tea a try that has already been seeping!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Let me know how it goes with tea, Susan! I think that would work.
Wilma
0Could you use tea instead? I am definitely not a coffee drinker. I think even most of my grandkids would like it that way?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Wilma, I haven’t done this with tea, but I don’t see why not. Let me know how it goes!
Shelly
0Recipe sounds great! Can’t wait to try it out. I’ll make it GF if it’s not ? I can’t wait to see what all this yummy page has to offer ???
Shelly
0Is there gluten in this drink? I was having some trouble trying to read it “through” the ads, LITERALLY.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Shelly, Sorry about that, the ads support my free recipes and my family. This recipe is gluten free. Hope you love it!
Tanya
0This recipe was so good. I did add more spices because it’s just the way I like it. I’m so thankful that I found this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Andrea Cole
0Love this! Added protein powder for a punch
Jenee Garmen
0Some really choice blog posts on this internet site , bookmarked .
Cheryl
0The recipe sounds wonderful. I tried to order the frother, but your WHOLESOMEYUM15 discount code does not work. I tried it several times using your link above to get it at Amazon, but no go – it says The promotional code you entered is not valid.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Cheryl, Sorry about that, that was an old code and unfortunately they removed it.
Seyda
0Hiii. I can use stevia sweetener other than monk fruit. How much should I use?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Seyda, I don’t recommend that because usually stevia is bulked up with erythritol, which won’t dissolve,or maltodextrin, which is basically sugar.
Colleen
0I made this and it tasted bitter. Checked my pumpkin Best Buy and it was good through Dec 2023! Wondering if it is the allulose?? First time trying allulose. Thoughts? Thanks!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Colleen, Sorry to hear that. Besti has no aftertaste and is definitely not bitter, so if you used the same sweetener as listed in the recipe, that wouldn’t be the reason. Maybe check if one of your other ingredients went bad?
Donna Mac
0This is so awesome!! I’m on Keto and have trouble believing that something tasting this special is Keto!! But check out the ingredients! It’s all Keto!❤️
S
0This sounds delicious except for the almond milk (unless you make it yourself with organic and unpastured almonds) or organic, canned coconut cream without any gums. I would also add more coffee, 2 cups would be my preference.
Laura
0Thanks for the recipe, I’m sure going to try it. Thank you for sharing.
Joseph
0Oooooo ooooo oooo I have one of those things it came with my coffee grinder! Yea. For once I don’t have to go but the “special tool”
Paula
0Not enough pumpkin flavour. Tasted like milk with a hint of something.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Paula, I’m sorry this recipe didn’t meet your expectations. Did you make any changes to the recipe? A bigger mug maybe? Or maybe your pumpkin spice was weaker than mine? You can easily stir in more pumpkin pie spice, that’s what I would do. Hope this helps.
Karen
0I’m not a coffee drinker, can you please help me make this without coffee? I got a pumpkin spice Creme at SB today made with heavy cream. I’m sure it was prob horrible for me. But tasted ohhh so good. Lol
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Karen, You can easily make this with a strong black tea in place of the coffee.
Alice
0Delicious! Finally a PSL I can live with!!
Lisa Pretulac
0Ok I 100% Think that if I make this decaf coffee I will be having this one for dessert in the evening!
Wholesome Yum M
0Hi Lisa, Yes! This will work perfectly with decaf.
Carrie Goebel
0Love this. Second time making a batch. I got pumpkin puree babyfood that comes in a two pack. Each one is just enough to make a triple recipe. Keeps great in fridge. I just store in blender, covered, in my fridge and give a quick blend before my next cup. Thank you for the fabulous recipe. P.s. I used splenda because thats what I had
Karan Webb
0BEST pumpkin recipe! Super simple, ckean ingredients, and BIG on flavor! Even made it dairy free
Wholesome Yum A
0I love this recipe! I used one tbsp of monk fruit as my sweetener and it turned out great!
Lgh
0This was very good. If you want it to taste a little more like Starbucks, use your favorite Starbucks coffee. I used a Starbucks instant Columbian Via pouch with 4 oz water instead of 8. Needed to adjust the sweetener, but it was very good. An 8 oz. strength might be just right.
Gloria
0Is 100% pumpkin the same as pumpkin puree? I am very excited to try these recipes for Thanksgiving.
Wholesome Yum A
0Hi Gloria, yes it is the same.
Julie Blais
0This was SOOOO delicious!! Thanks for posting such a simple, tasty recipe to scratch that fall PSL itch. 🙂
Jan
0Just saw this post and went to make it right away. So easy! So good!
Lathiya
0Oh my, the pumpkin spice latte sounds splendid. I love how you incorporated the keto version too.
Melissa
0I tried this for the first time today and it’s delicious! Thanks for the recipe Maya!
Jenni
0I will never buy a PSL from a coffee shop again! This was SO much easier than I thought it would be! It tasted delicious and I know exactly what is in it!
Whitney
0This is so awesome! So glad I can enjoy the coveted PSL without all that sugar!
Tim D.
0Please forgive the direct brand reference, but it really is the only one I’ve found that has the right flavor to make this work. Another route to the PSL experience that I’ve found recently is to make bulletproof coffee with the Cauldron Aged Pumpkin coffee from Death Wish Coffee. I top it with a little Vietnamese cinnamon for added spice, but with no sweetener at all, it’s a delicious and easy way to kick off the morning with creamy pumpkin goodness! The flavor is a little more subtle than using pumpkin puree, but it’s a little quicker and still scratches that PSL itch for the folks in my house. 🙂
Fran
0What does a frother do that an hand held blender does not?
Wholesome Yum A
0Hi Fran, you could use a hand blender — it’s just a little harder to wield for a single-serve drink.