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Greet October With A Lighter Pumpkin Spiced Latte

October 1, 2012   18 Comments

Some people think fall has arrived when the leaves start changing and apples become abundant. Others know it is here with the arrival of the pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks.

Light Pumpkin Spiced Latte

I was recently visiting New York City when I noticed that there is literally a Starbucks on every corner. They should rename Manhattan - “StarbucksLand” or “Manhattan brought to you by Starbucks”.

Did I make it out of there without going into one?

Nooooo. I decided I needed an espresso when I passed yet another Starbucks on my way to a meeting.

Frankly, I don't like the Pumpkin Spice Latte because I find it too sweet. I do adore pumpkin spice so I thought I would attempt my own version. It turns out that ANYONE can make their own pumpkin spice latte.

Why would you want to make your own? You will save:

  • Calories - mine is 130 calories less than Starbucks' lite version
  • Money - saved about $2.50
  • The Environment - no paper cup and lid to toss away

You don't need an espresso maker with a milk frother to make this drink. You can buy a milk frother that runs on batteries from Ikea for just $4 or you can order it from Amazon for under $10. I have one (first saw it in Europe) and it works great!

Buy some pumpkin spice from the baking section of your supermarket, skim milk, sugar, and you are ready to go. Try adding just one teaspoon of sugar and see if you like it. You don't need a lot of sugar to make this taste delicious.

You have some choices on how you can make this. For example, you can add some pumpkin spice to your ground coffee BEFORE you brew it. This will infuse your coffee with the pumpkin spice flavor.

If you want to use maple syrup, agave syrup, or another sweetener please feel free. And, of course, there is always a choice of milks - almond, soy, flavored soy, etc.

You can also make this drink with tea! Then you call it “chai”. Milk, black tea, spices and sugar and you got one comforting drink to keep you warm on a chilly fall day.

How do you deal with the Pumpkin Spice Latte season?

pumpkinlatteb

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

1.6 from 24 reviews

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Ingredients

4 ounces coffee or espresso
1/2 cup skim or nonfat milk
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (plus extra to dust on top)

Instructions

Brew coffee and heat milk until hot in microwave. Foam milk with Aerolatte or other milk frother. Mix sugar and pumpkin pie spice in coffee and pour milk on top. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

one serving = 78 calories, 0.3 g fat, 14.6 g carbohydrates, 4.6 g protein, 0 g fiber, 66 mg sodium, 2 Points+

Points values are calculated by Snack Girl and are provided for information only. See all Snack Girl Recipes

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18 Comments:

Love coffee drinks and your looks delish!

Last year I bought Wawa's pumpkin coffee and ended up throwing it out it was so sweet. I don't put sugar in my coffee but will try your idea of putting the spice in the filter with a little cinnomon.

Thanks for the easy recipe. I'll give it a try. My son (11) begs to go to STarbucks, but it's expensive and unhealthy. ~I posted on FB yesterday that we went to Dunkin D and asked for spiced pumpkin latte. They gave me ICED coffee. Hm. Worse, the cup holder tipped over on my back seat and an entire drink emptied onto my MINI Cooper seat. :( Yet another reason to drink it at home.

Love this idea. I think the Starbucks version is too sweet as well. I don't typically put sugar in my coffee, but when I want a little sweet taste, I add just a drop or two of maple syrup. It is DELICIOUS-a must try!

You can also add a dose of vitamins to your coffee by mixing in some pureed pumpkin. For me, that tips it over the edge of indulgence because the little extra thickness makes it almost feel like a bad for you milkshake!

Genius (and yummy)! $2.50 @5 days a week, 52 weeks - $650 a year saved!! Love it.

I make lattes at home a lot, too, but I still quite like the Starbucks version. Then again, I go for soy, skip the whip, and get an extra shot of espresso with mine, so I think that kicks a little bit of the sweet. It's super expensive that way, though, so I really don't buy them too often.

While I'm sure your version is delish, the Starbucks Via version of Pumpkin Spice Latte is quite good. Very little sugar added to it. I make it with water rather than with milk as the directions call for, but it still tastes very indulgent.

I enjoy your site for food ideas, but I don't appreciate the political ads. Bloggers can allow or block certain ad categories. I visit numerous food blogger sites and none of them contain political ads. I appreciate the time and energy you put into healthy food and that's what I'm looking for when I come to your site.

@Kim I will see what I can do. It is harder for some bloggers than others because I am showing ads from multiple networks to pay my bills. I am sorry that they are bothering you.

Kim - don't look at the ads. Who cares.

I actually add the spices into the ground coffee and then brew it. It still has the taste without the spices floating around. You can still dust some on top. I do this with cinnamon when I make a cinnamon latte as well.

I make a great latte at home using a similar method except I use the hand frother on cold 1% milk first, then heat for a minute in micro. I grind Starbucks dark roast beans and brew coffee. Add the frothed heated milk to hot coffee and spoon froth on top. I don't think you can tell the difference.

I agree that Starbucks's Pumpkin Spice Latte is too sweet. When I order a grande (medium-sized) I tell them to only put in two pumps of the syrup (it usually has four). That way, I can enjoy the amazing pumpkin flavor with half as much of the sweetness. Your recipe for a home version looks easy (and cheap!) so I might just have to go pick up a milk frother!

@Kim

What Political ads? Maybe U should clear UR cache

i have to say i hate political ads also but i haven't seen any on this site! but then i have tunnel vision and just read the article and comments, i don't think i even noticed there were any type of ads on here and i read it every time i get an email. :) thanks for the yummy recipe!

I have been a subscriber for two years and read each one and have never noticed any political adds! Just ignore them if they are such a bother.

what a terrible response to Kim. ever wonder why companies spend so much money on advertising? because it works. and by allowing ads on her site snack girl is saying that she supports and agrees with it. I would think healthy eating is something both parties could get behind so this should be a non partisan issue. there is no need for a snack food website should have political ads.

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