Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

5 from 3 votes

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When fall makes its arrival, I adore anything and everything 🎃 pumpkin, including drinks like this Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe. In just 5 minutes, you can whip up a latte that’s better than Starbucks and costs much less 💸. Growing up in Bulgaria, roasted pumpkin with sugar was a staple in every bakery. I have fond memories of waking up to the comforting aroma of pumpkin every weekend, knowing my grandma 👵🏼 was either crafting her sweet pumpkin phyllo pie or roasting pumpkin in the oven. These nostalgic moments will always hold a special place in my heart 🥰. From pumpkin pie to pumpkin soup, and now this delightful Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe, my love for this fall treat 🍂 knows no bounds.

Why You’ll Love this Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

This Pumpkin Spice Latte tastes like a warm hug in a mug, with real pumpkin purée adding earthy sweetness that feels like home 🏡. Pumpkin spice adds layers of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice for that perfect fall aroma. Every sip is rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced with bold espresso ☕️ and a hint of maple syrup 🍁. Unlike the Starbucks PSL, which packs in around 50 grams of sugar 😱, this homemade version has less than half of that—so you get all the cozy fall flavor without the sugar overload. You’ll love how indulgent it feels while still being a healthier, homemade treat.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe:

🎃 Pumpkin puree: The star of the show, pumpkin puree gives your PSL that signature creamy, autumn flavor.

🍂  Pumpkin Spice: This magical blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice and cloves makes every sip taste like fall.

Espresso: I like 1-2 shots of espresso, but strongly brewed coffee will work as well.

🥛 Milk: Any milk works here—dairy or your favorite plant-based option for a creamy base.

🍁 Maple syrup: Sweetens the latte naturally while adding an earthy richness that pairs beautifully with pumpkin.

🤍 Whipped Cream: Add whip to give your latte that Starbucks at home vibe.

Nonna’s Tip 🎃

I love making espresso in my Italian Moka Pot, but feel free to use your favorite coffee brewing method.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

You can absolutely make parts of this latte in advance to save time ⏲. The pumpkin purée, maple syrup, and pumpkin spice can be stirred together and kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This makes it easy to spoon 🥄 some into your mug whenever you want a pumpkin fix 🎃.

If you happen to have leftover prepared Pumpkin Spice Latte, store it in a sealed jar 🫙 or container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The milk and espresso will probably separate, but a quick stir or shake will emulsify it back together. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave (do not boil!) until warm and frothy again. For best results, avoid freezing 🥶, since the texture of the milk won’t hold up.

Variations and Substitutions for Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

  1. Try an 🧊 iced version! Let the coffee mixture cool and serve over ice. Use cold milk instead of heated milk.
  2. For a vegan version, substitute dairy milk with a 🌿 plant-based alternative such as almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk. Use a vegan whipped cream or omit it altogether.
  3. Substitute coffee with strong brewed chai tea or a chai tea concentrate to make a Pumpkin Chai Latte.
  4. Instead of maple syrup, try another sweetener such as 🍯 honey, agave syrup, or sugar-free syrup for a different sweetness profile.

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Common Questions

Is there an alternative to the maple syrup in this Pumpkin spice latte recipe?

Yes, you can certainly use any sweetener or sugar you like. I love the taste maple syrup gives this drink, but feel free to adjust according to your preferences.

Can I use dairy-free milk in this recipe?

Yes, you can any plant-based milk of choice. I even have instructions for homemade versions here: Homemade Almond Milk & Homemade Oat Milk.

What is the best way to heat the milk?

Heat the milk until it is simmering and then froth it with a hand-held frother. Do not boil the milk.

How do you prepare your coffee for the Pumpkin Spice latte recipe?

I love making espresso in my Italian moka pot, but feel free to use your favorite coffee brewing method.

What type of coffee works best for this recipe?

Both strong-brewed coffee and espresso work well. If you prefer a stronger coffee flavor, go for espresso. For a milder taste, use brewed coffee.

What is the best milk for a latte?

Whole milk is the best in terms of creaminess, frothing, and nutritional value. However, the beauty of a latte is that you can customize it to dietary restrictions and preferences, meaning whole, 2%, or plant-based milk will all work fine.

A glass mug filled with a creamy Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe, topped with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, sits on a white surface in bright sunlight.

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

This homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte blends real pumpkin, warm spices, and maple syrup into a creamy drink with less than half the sugar of a Starbucks PSL.
5 from 3 votes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Makes: 1
Author: The Modern Nonna
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Video

Ingredients 

  • 3 tablespoons pumpkin purée
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup , to taste
  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • brewed espresso or coffee, I like espresso
  • ½ cup milk, I use 2% but you can use any that froths well
  • whipped cream, optional

Instructions 

  • In a measuring cup or bowl, add the pumpkin purée, maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice.
  • Whisk well until combined.
  • Brew your favorite coffee or espresso and pour it into the measuring cup as well.
  • Whisk again until fully combined and pour it into your coffee cup.
  • In the meantime, heat the milk in a medium pot on the stove and then take it off the heat.
  • I like to froth it with my hand-held frother, but you don’t have to.
  • Pour in as much milk as you like into the pumpkin coffee and top it off with whipped cream. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Iced Latte: Try an iced version! Let the coffee mixture cool and serve over ice. Use cold milk instead of heated milk.
  • Plant-based: For a vegan version, substitute dairy milk with a plant-based alternative such as almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk. Use a vegan whipped cream or omit it altogether.
  • Pumpkin Chai Latte: Substitute coffee with strong brewed chai tea or a chai tea concentrate to make a Pumpkin Chai Latte.
  • Sweeteners: Instead of maple syrup, try another sweetener such as honey, agave syrup, or sugar-free syrup for a different sweetness profile.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 latte, Calories: 146kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 51mg, Potassium: 327mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 7204IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 190mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
COOKED IT? SLAYED IT? 💅
Tag @themodernnonna so I can hype you up 👏 and don’t forget to rate ⭐, drop a comment 💬, and show some love right here on the recipe!

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Hi! I'm Sneji. Nice to meet you!

I am more commonly known as “The Modern Nonna” on social media where I create easy home cooked meals with a modern twist. I was born and raised in Sofia, Bulgaria and learned how to cook at the best culinary school in the world – my grandma’s kitchen. I lived in Greece on the Island of Crete with my parents for a while and then moved to Toronto, Canada when I was in grade 5. I started to really cook and experiment with food 11 years ago when I was 21 years old. Everything I currently know is a reflection of some part of my life…

Keep up to date with me on social media! Follow @themodernnonna

5 from 3 votes

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5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is the perfect fall/winter afternoon pick me up. I used a double shot of decaf espresso and it’s just perfect.