This homemade pumpkin spice latte recipe uses real pumpkin, coffee, and the perfect blend of fall spices. Delicious, easy, and much better than store-bought!
When Fall hits, we rush to our local coffee shop and order a pumpkin spice latte. We love them so much that we decided to try making them at home, and I am so happy that we did!
This homemade pumpkin spice latte recipe is easy, and I bet you have most, if not everything, you need to make one at home right now. Bonus, you will be sipping a latte in under 10 minutes! Be sure to check out some more of our favorite pumpkin recipes, like our pumpkin scones (also inspired by Starbucks) and these incredible pumpkin cupcakes!
Key Ingredients
- Coffee or Espresso: I love a stronger espresso in this latte, but you can substitute it with strong coffee. For a hot drink, use hot coffee and warmed milk, or use chilled espresso or cold brew coffee for an iced latte.
- Milk or Non-Dairy Milk: Use whatever you love! I’m a big fan of oat milk lattes, so I use homemade oat milk, but any milk (dairy or non-dairy) will work.
- Pumpkin: I use pumpkin puree for an authentic pumpkin flavor. You can use canned pumpkin or homemade pumpkin puree (and if you make your own, you get to roast the pumpkin seeds, too!). If you’d like a stronger pumpkin flavor, try reducing the puree beforehand or substituting it with pumpkin butter. I’ve shared tips below the recipe!
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: I use my homemade pumpkin pie spice, but you can use store-bought if you already have one. If not, my homemade blend combines spices you probably already have in your spice cabinet. Plus, you’ll have it ready if you ever want to make homemade pumpkin pie!
- Vanilla: A splash of vanilla extract makes this latte so delicious. It works so well with the pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin!
- Sweetener: Use your favorite sweetener! I’ve used plain sugar in the past, but now I love using maple syrup for extra flavor. Brown sugar is another delicious option.
- Whipped Cream (Optional): A spoonful of whipped cream is the perfect topping for this PSL. You can use my whipped cream recipe or try this coconut whipped cream if you’re dairy-free.
Find the full recipe with measurements below.
How to Make the Best Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
Tip 1: Warm ingredients gently. Heat the milk, pumpkin puree, sugar, pumpkin pie spices, and vanilla extract on the stove over medium heat. Slowly heating the mixture prevents scolding the milk but helps the sugar to melt.
Tip 2: Use strong coffee: Coffee shops use espresso, a bit stronger than typical brewed coffee at home. I use home-brewed espresso or add extra coffee grinds to my regular brew when making lattes.
Tip 3: For even more pumpkin flavor: If you want a more intense pumpkin flavor, try reducing the pumpkin puree before adding it to the milk mixture. Simmer the puree until it’s reduced by about one-third to concentrate the flavor. You can do this in advance and store the concentrated puree in your refrigerator for your next latte craving! Or try our maple pumpkin butter instead.
The Best Pumpkin Spice Latte
- PREP
- COOK
- TOTAL
Make the popular coffee house pumpkin spice latte at home. Canned or homemade pumpkin puree both work well in this recipe. Here’s our recipe for making pumpkin puree from scratch.
Watch Us Make the Recipe
You Will Need
1/2 cup strong hot coffee or 2 shots espresso
2 cups milk of choice, dairy or non-dairy
2 tablespoons pumpkin puree, or more to taste
1 tablespoon sugar or maple syrup, or more to taste
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more for serving
Whipped cream, optional for serving
Directions
1Add milk, pumpkin puree, and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat. Slowly heat the milk until hot, but do not boil.
2Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and the coffee or espresso. Taste and adjust with more sugar or spices.
3Divide the mixture between two mugs.
4Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Stronger pumpkin flavor: Over the years, some readers have noted that they would like the pumpkin to be more prominent in the latte. To do this, add 6 tablespoons of pumpkin puree to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until the puree reduces by 1/3 to 1/2. Watch for burning. Use as much of the reduced puree as you need to achieve the pumpkin flavor you enjoy. Alternatively, use pumpkin butter, see below.
- Pumpkin butter: Use pumpkin butter for a more prominent pumpkin flavor and a bit more sweetness (here’s our maple pumpkin butter). Since pumpkin butter already has some sugar added, you may need to adjust the sugar/maple syrup in the latte.
- Whipped cream: Here’s my whipped cream recipe or my favorite dairy-free topping, vegan coconut whipped cream.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We assumed 2% milk and 1 tablespoon of sugar.
Excellent. First time I made it this afternoon. I’ll have one every day
First time making a pumpkin latte. Trying to cut back on sugar, so I made decaf coffee, used half almond milk and half 2% milk. I also used brown sugar Stevia. Instead of using a pot, I put the milk mixture in the microwave watching closely. Once all combined I used a frother and divided into 2 mugs. I am going to put the 2nd mug in the frig for another time. I live alone. My experiment. Maybe serve on ice. I used canned pumpkin but next time I will use more. The drink was delightful and easy. Thank you.
I served this today for a coffee klatch and it’s a winner! We loved it. We settled on 2 Tblsp. of sugar as our perfect amount of sweetener, but otherwise followed to a tee. I think it would be SO adapable for folks who want less milk and more coffee in their mug. Thanks so much!
I added a 1oz of Zacapa rum, sooo good for the holidays.
I made the Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe and my son has great praises. Oh, I do too!
I tried this pumpkin spice latte recipe and it turned out amazing! The real pumpkin makes such a difference. I added a bit more cinnamon for an extra kick. Definitely going to make this again!
I just made this pumpkin spice latte and it turned out amazing! The real pumpkin makes such a difference. I added a bit more cinnamon than the recipe called for and it was perfect. Definitely going to make this again!
It’s a good coffee drink with a bit of sugar instead of my usual black coffee.
This recipe was really delicious with the caviat of adding more pumpkin puree and homemade whipped cream to it!