A Healthier Pumpkin Spice Latte

January 5, 2017

Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

Pumpkin Spice Lattes (“PSL”) that are available at coffee shop chains usually contain a lot of sugar (or syrup) and are often over-spiced. The following recipe is a healthier version of the Pumpkin Spice Latte – with real pumpkin and less sugar. It only takes about 15 minutes to make it.

Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe with less sugar

I usually add 2 tablespoons of sugar for 2.5-3 cups, which yields a relatively sweet PSL. This is already a massive cut-down compared to store-bought ones. If you like your Pumpkin Spice Latte only moderately sweet or if you usually drink your coffee without any sugar, feel free to reduce the amount of sugar or omit it completely.

 

I’m using white sugar in this recipe, which is added to the hot milk. Light brown sugar adds a nice flavor but taints the milk kind of brownish. If you don’t mind it, feel free to substitute brown sugar or even maple syrup.
 
Also, I prefer drinks like this with just a hint of cinnamon – so if you can’t get enough cinnamon, add a little more. However, please do not add more cloves because the PSL will get a funny, intense taste.

Pumpkin Spice Latte Healthy - less sugar

Step-by-step recipe for a healthy pumpkin spice latte

Ingredients for Pumpkin Spice Latte

Ingredients for Pumpkin Spice Latte

For a healthy pumkin spice latte you only need strong coffee, milk, pumkin puree, vanilla, and some spices. If you don’t have canned pumpkin puree available where you live, you can make your own (see note at the recipe part below).

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe

Cook pumpkin puree and spices

Add pumpkin puree and spices in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat for one minute.

Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte Less Sugar

Add milk and vanilla

Add milk, vanilla, and sugar and stir well.

Healthier Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Let the spices steep for 10 minutes

Let it cook over low heat for 10 minutes.

Making homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Strain pumpkin milk (optional)

Strain the pumpkin milk. You can use the leftover spiced pumpkin puree in cakes or in a porridge (remove cloves and cardamom seeds). I always strain the pumpkin milk because the pumpkin puree will sink down to the bottom of your cup after a while and I don’t like pulp sitting there.

 

Also, I like to use a part of the milk for frothing and the pumpkin fibers tend to get stuck in my milk frother. (Omit this step if you don’t mind all the things I’ve pointed out.)

Pumpkin Spice Latte milk foam

Froth a part of the milk

Froth a part of the hot, strained pumpkin milk, if you like.

Pumpkin Spice Latte low sugar Recipe

Mix coffee and spiced milk. Reheat the pumpkin spice latte if it is not piping hot any more.

Pumpkin Spice Latte Healthier Recipe

 
Put the PSL in a mug, top it with milk foam and dust with a little cinnamon.
 
Enjoy!
 

A Healthier Pumpkin Spice Latte

15 minutes

Yield: 2.5-3 cups (660 ml)

A Healthier Pumpkin Spice Latte

Pumpkin Spice Lattes that are available at coffee shop chains are often very sweet and over-spiced. The following recipe is a healthier version of the PSL. I usually add 2 tablespoons sugar for 2.5-3 cups which yields a relatively sweet PSL (this is a massive cut-down compared to store-bought ones). If you like your Pumpkin Spice Latte only moderately sweet or if you usually drink your coffee without any sugar feel free to reduce the amount of sugar or omit it completely.

Also, I prefer drinks like this with just a hint of cinnamon - so if you can't get enough cinnamon, add a little more. But please do not add more cloves because the PSL will get a funny, intense taste.

Recipe: Ursula | lilvienna.com

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree from a can, see note
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger powder (or a tiny piece of fresh ginger, see note)
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 4 cloves
  • 1 green cardamom pod; discard pod, only use black seeds (optional)
  • 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons (30 g) white granulated sugar (brown sugar will taint the milk brownish)
  • 1 1/4 (300 ml) strong brewed coffee (I doubled the amount of coffee when brewing it in my drip coffee maker)
  • Ground cinnamon for dusting (optional)

    --> Instead of using cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom you can use 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice mix.

Instructions

  1. Add pumpkin puree and spices in a medium saucepan and cook over medium heat for one minute. Stir constantly.
  2. Add milk, vanilla, and sugar and stir well. Let it cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Stir often.
  3. Strain the pumpkin milk. You can use the leftover spiced pumpkin puree in cakes or in a porridge (remove cloves and cardamom seeds). I always strain the pumpkin milk because the pumpkin puree will sink down to the bottom of your cup after a while and I don't like pulp sitting there. Also, I like to use a part of the milk for frothing and the pumpkin fibers tend to get stuck in my milk frother. (Omit this step if you don't mind.)
  4. Froth a part of the hot, strained pumpkin milk, if you like.
  5. Mix coffee and spiced milk. Reheat the pumpkin spice latte if it is not piping hot any more.
  6. Put the PSL in a mug, top it with milk foam and dust with a little cinnamon.

Notes

In the US, canned pumpkin puree is available at any supermarket. If the canned version is not available where you live, you can bake a peeled and de-seeded pumpkin (hokkaido or butternut) in wedges until soft, about 30-40 minutes at 400F/200C. 350g-400g raw pumpkin will yield about 150 g pumpkin puree.

Ginger is essential in this recipe. Dried, ground ginger powder is preferable to fresh ginger because the fresh one might curdle the milk. If you only have fresh ginger, heat it together with the coffee and remove it before you mix the coffee and milk. I tried the recipe by adding a slice of fresh ginger (3/4-inch diameter) directly into the milk and the milk didn't curdle. But this could have been luck.

https://www.lilvienna.com/healthy-pumpkin-spice-latte/

Did you follow this recipe? You could share your result here. All you need to do is take a picture with your smartphone and send it to [email protected]
A Healthier Pumpkin Spice Latte was last modified: October 6th, 2020 by Ursula

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