Real Pumpkin Spice Latte

PSL is a thing. Yep.  First sign of fall and this Northeaster wants cozy sweaters and a nice hot cup of pumpkin spice latte.  But oh no, not from Starbucks.  Way too sweet for me.

While this is Starbuck's inspired, it resembles it not so much.. this version is much healthier, as sweet as you like and a whole lot of spice and wholesome real pumpkinyess (yes, that's a word). 

Recipe Notes:  
Now while you think the black pepper might be an odd addition.. it is really necessary to cut through the pumpkin and creaminess and give it a bit of edge that I find most delicious. Without it, it's just flat. And, yes there is cinnamon in pumpkin pie spice blend.. but it needs more to make this girl happy. The extra bit just makes it so good. 

Cream vs. Milk..  Some days I make this and simply add it to my regular coffee.  If I do that, I use cream and not as much as if I were using milk.  Now a true latte.. you will want to use 1 cup of milk per serving, so you will need to up that leaving the rest of the recipe the same.   Often that is too much milk for me, I like my coffee to taste more coffee-ish.. so just a little cream will do. 

Also can be made in a big batch and stored in the fridge.  Heat with milk or cream and coffee in a saucepan. Or quickly warm in the microwave, if you're into that, and simply swirl into your ready made coffee or espresso.  

Real Pumpkin Spice Latte  

Serves 2

• 3 T. canned pumpkin
• 1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 t. cinnamon 
• 1/8 t. ground black pepper
• 2 T. sugar  
• 2 T. pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 c. half and half OR 2 c. whole milk (see note above)
• strong brewed coffee OR espresso

In a small saucepan over med heat, whisk canned pumpkin and add in spices and sugar.  Cook 2-3 minutes.  Add in vanilla extract.  Whisk in cream or milk, depending on your choice of coffee or espresso.  
Strain into coffee or espresso, top with whipped cream & sprinkle of spice. Enjoy. 

The healthy roundup.. Organic canned pumpkin, spices, sugar & vanilla. 

Raw canned pumpkin, add spices and sweetener over med heat.
You can substitute any sweetener you like.  Here I am using raw sugar
but I love to use honey, too.   

Key is to cook the pumpkin and the spices together.
Raw pumpkin is not a great taste, cooked is so much better.
Don't skip this step!

Looking good.. ready to add the cream or milk. 

Cream, half and half, milk.. your choice, whisk it in.
Here I am using half and half.  

Strain this mixture into your coffee. 

Topped here simply with cinnamon.
You could add whipped cream, of course.