Make your own Latte!

There’s just something about fall that makes you want a pumpkin spice latte. Unlike pumpkin pie and leftover turkey, lattes never get old. Unfortunately, waiting in line at a coffee shop can take a small eternity, and it can get pricey if you want more than one this season. The good news: It’s super easy and inexpensive to make your own, and you don’t need any fancy machinery. If you enjoy the luxury of living off campus and have a full kitchen, great, but you can make your own pumpkin spice latte in your dorm room with just a microwave and coffee maker. 

Last month, in Fall is a Time for Lattes, we asked you to submit your recipes. The winning recipe was sent to us by Randi in Virginia, and is featured below. Randi won a free one year subscription to Venture Magazin! We tried her recipe and we love it, and we hope you’ll love it too.

Ingredients:

2 cups milk

2 tbsp canned pumpkin

2 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp vanilla extract

½ tsp pumpkin pie spice

 (To make your own pumpkin spice, combine: ¼ tsp cinnamon, 1/8 tsp cloves, 1/8 tsp nutmeg, and a small pinch of ground ginger)

1-2 shots espresso (about ¼ cup of espresso or ½ cup of strong brewed coffee)

Directions:

Dorm Room:

In a microwavable bowl, stir milk, pumpkin and sugar, then microwave on high heat for 1.5 to 2 minuets. Remove from microwave and stir in vanilla and pumpkin pie spice. Then whisk the mixture well with a fork. Pour into two coffee mugs, then pour coffee on top. For extra yummy goodness, top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon*.

Off Campus:

In a saucepan combine milk, pumpkin and sugar. Cook on medium heat and stir until steaming. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and spice. Pour into a blender and process for 15 seconds until foamy. (If you don’t have a blender, whisk the mixture well with a fork or wire whisk.) Pour into two coffee mugs. Pour espresso (or coffee) on top. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle cinnamon*. 

*You can substitute the cinnamon with nutmeg.

Also check out our article, Better than your Grandma's Cooking for fresh food and fall fun.