Craving a pumpkin spice latte? Learn how to make a pumpkin spice latte at home in 10 minutes with real pumpkin, cozy spices, and frothy milk. Better than the coffee shop!
How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home in Just 10 Minutes?
Hey coffee lover! It’s that time of year again when the air gets crisp, leaves turn orange, and everyone loses their mind over pumpkin spice everything. But guess what? You don’t have to wait in a crazy long drive-thru line or spend $7 on a single cup. You can make a pumpkin spice latte at home that tastes even better than the coffee shop version, and it costs pennies. Yes, really! I’ve been making these for years, and once you try this recipe, you’ll never go back. Ready to become your own barista? Let’s do this!
This homemade PSL is creamy, perfectly spiced, and topped with fluffy whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. The secret? Real pumpkin purée and a homemade pumpkin spice blend that smells like fall in a cup. Plus, you can make it with espresso, strong coffee, or even instant, whatever you have on hand. It takes about 10 minutes, uses simple ingredients, and will make your kitchen smell amazing. Let’s get brewing!
Gather Your Ingredients (Serves 1 Large or 2 Small Lattes)
Here’s what you’ll need. Most of this is probably already in your pantry!
- 2 shots of espresso or ½ cup strong brewed coffee or 1–2 tsp instant espresso powder mixed with ¼ cup hot water
- 1 cup milk (whole, oat, almond, whatever you love, oat makes it extra creamy!)
- 2 tablespoons real pumpkin purée (canned is perfect, not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup or brown sugar (adjust to sweetness preference)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon homemade pumpkin pie spice (recipe below) or store-bought
- Whipped cream (for topping, canned is totally fine!)
- Pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg (for dusting)
Quick Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice (makes extra, store in a jar):
Mix 3 tbsp ground cinnamon, 2 tsp ground ginger, 2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tsp ground allspice, 1 tsp ground cloves. Boom, done!
Make the Pumpkin Spice Syrup
This is the flavor magic!
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the pumpkin purée, maple syrup (or sugar), vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes until it’s warm and fragrant. It should look like a thick, cozy sauce. Don’t let it boil hard, just gentle heat.
- Pro tip: Smell it? That’s fall in liquid form.
Froth Your Milk
Barista level: unlocked.
- Pour your milk into a small pot and heat over medium until steaming (not boiling, about 150°F if you’re fancy).
- Use one of these methods to froth:
Fancy way: Use a milk frother or espresso machine steam wand.
Easy way: Pour hot milk into a French press and pump the plunger 20–30 times.
No-equipment way: Shake warm milk in a mason jar (leave room!) for 30 seconds, then microwave without lid for 30 more seconds. Foam city!
Brew Your Espresso or Coffee
Time for the caffeine kick.
- Pull 2 shots of espresso if you have a machine.
- Or brew ½ cup very strong coffee (double the usual amount).
- Or mix instant espresso with hot water. No judgment here!
Assemble Your Pumpkin Spice Latte
This is the fun part.
- Pour the warm pumpkin spice syrup into your favorite mug.
- Add the hot espresso/coffee and stir well.
- Gently pour in the frothed milk. Spoon the foam on top like a pro.
- Top with a generous swirl of whipped cream.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon or a tiny pinch of extra pumpkin spice.
Grab a cozy blanket, put on your favorite playlist, and enjoy. You just made a coffee shop drink at home for under $1. You’re basically a wizard now.
FAQ
Q: Can I make it iced?
A: Yes! Skip heating the milk. Mix everything cold, pour over ice, top with cold foam or whipped cream. Perfect for those weird 70-degree fall days.
Q: How do I make it vegan?
A: Use oat, almond, or coconut milk and coconut whipped cream. Maple syrup instead of honey.
Q: Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of purée?
A: Nope! It has extra sugar and spices that throw off the balance. Stick to 100% pure pumpkin.
Q: How do I make cold foam without a frother?
A: Shake ¼ cup milk + 1 tsp maple syrup in a jar, microwave 30 seconds, spoon on top. TikTok famous!
