This homemade pumpkin spice latte rivals any coffee shop version I've tried. It's creamy, warmly spiced, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup.
The next time you’re craving a pumpkin spice latte, save yourself a trip to a coffee shop, and make this recipe at home!
By October, I always feel like I should share some kind of pumpkin-y treat on the blog, and this year, I thought a homemade version of the Starbucks pumpkin spice latte would be fun. I know it’s a bit of a fall cliché at this point, so I was surprised by how much I ended up loving this recipe. Creamy, cozy, and lightly sweet, it’s warming and comforting on a cool fall morning or crisp afternoon. It’s simple to make, too. It calls for basic ingredients like coffee, real pumpkin, warm spices, and maple syrup, and you can mix it up on the stove in right around 5 minutes…even less time than it takes to run out to the nearest Starbucks.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this pumpkin spice latte recipe:
- Pumpkin, of course! A few tablespoons of canned pumpkin puree enhance the latte’s creamy texture and add essential pumpkin flavor.
- Espresso, cold brew, or strong coffee – I use 2 shots of espresso or a half cup of either type of coffee.
- Milk – Any type you like! I typically use almond milk because it’s what I keep on hand, but oat milk and regular milk are also great.
- Maple syrup – It sweetens the latte and adds delicious maple flavor.
- Pumpkin pie spice – I make my own with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and ground cloves. It gives this latte the perfect “pumpkin spice” taste!
- Vanilla extract – For warm depth of flavor.
- And a pinch of sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte
I love that you don’t need any special equipment to make this recipe–no espresso machine, no milk frother–just a small saucepan and a whisk!
Heat the milk, espresso, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in the saucepan over low heat. Whisk until everything is well combined and heated through. That’s it!
Pour your PSL into a mug. Feel free to top with whipped cream or coconut whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, and an extra dusting of pumpkin pie spice, if you like, or enjoy the latte on its own.
Happy fall!
More Favorite Fall Treats
If you love this recipe, try one of these cozy fall treats next:
- Pumpkin Bread
- Apple Muffins
- Pumpkin Muffins
- Apple Crumble
- Easy Apple Cake
- Applesauce Cake
- Pumpkin Pancakes
- Homemade Hot Chocolate
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients
- 2 shots espresso or ½ cup cold brew or strongly brewed coffee
- 1 cup milk, any kind
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Heaping ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more for dusting
- Pinch sea salt
- Whipped cream, for topping, optional
- Cinnamon sticks, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a small pot, combine the espresso, milk, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Whisk over low heat until well combined and warmed through.
- Pour into a mug. If desired, top with whipped cream and a dusting of pumpkin pie spice and garnish with cinnamon sticks.
Maybe this a dumb question, but how do you make espresso without special equipment?
Hi Colleen, we use an espresso machine to make actual espresso – if you don’t have one, cold brew coffee or strongly brewed coffee both work well here.
It is very easy to make. This is the best pumpkin spice latte I have ever had. I didn’t use a can of pureed pumpkin. I made it myself. Thank you very much for the recipe.
Easily the best copycat PSL I’ve tried! Similar color and flavor as Starbucks! Absolutely delicious! This deserves 10/5 stars
Can this be made with just hot water added to all the ingredients or made ahead of time and warmed up?
I always thought the texture would be strange with purée in the coffee, even though I love PSL. I decided to try this today and it’s delicious and now healthy too. Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Pat, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Made a pumpkin spice latte this afternoon. Interesting flavours. Definitely make it again
Hi Amanda, So glad you enjoyed it!
Very good! Not too sweet, not too “milky”, I love it!
I used regular milk and no whipped cream on top, but did not miss it 😉
And I also used my homemade pumpkin puree, from butternut squash and a part of Naples squash (the long, large one, it’s called Der Lange von Neapel in German)
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
my daughter has been steaming fresh pumpkin for our psl.
it is difficult to get the canned ones in our country.
i have to ask where is your pretty glass mug from?
Hi Ann, I’m glad she’s been enjoying them. The mugs are Anchor Hocking 16 ounce Glass Cafe Coffee Mugs – they’re from amazon.
I am in heaven right now!! I just made this pumpkin latte and sitting down to chart and this is the absolute perfect amount of sweetness. I love that the taste of the pumpkin comes through and made it with Chobani extra creamy oat milk and coconut whipped cream. This will be on repeat. Thank you for such a simple and sublime recipe.
I’m so glad you loved it!
great version of a pumpkin latte, much appreciated since I’ve been paying way too much for these at the local coffee shop
Very very good. I’m dairy free and it’s been difficult to find a PSL without dairy. I haven’t found a good recipe to make at home until now! I used strong coffee and Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Oatmilk. Since I used the oat milk I used two tablespoons of maple syrup. Will make again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed!
Love this!! Is your recipie and comments for your coconut cream in your cookbook?
Hi Debbie, here’s the coconut cream recipe: https://www.loveandlemons.com/coconut-cream/