This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at George Mason University chapter.
Fall is here, and us ladies know what that means! Leggings with knee-high boots, lovely scarves in every color (seriously, though, the fashion is wonderful), and pumpkin-flavored EVERYTHING never gets old. Even pumpkin-flavored lip gloss is a thing now… Please tell me I’m not the only one intrigued?
There has been a staple in every 20-somethings diet come every Autumn, the wonderful Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. It never gets old. But did you know that you can actually make this DIY in your apartment/dorm for way less and yummier (with real pumpkin)!
This recipe from “The Kitchn.com,” has been tested and is so approved….
DIY Easy Pumpkin Spice Latte for Two:
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, plus more to garnish
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 to 2 shots espresso, about 1/4 cup
- 1/4 cup heavy cream, whipped until firm peaks form
Instructions
- Heat the pumpkin and spices: In a small saucepan over medium heat cook the pumpkin with the pumpkin pie spice for 2 minutes or until it’s hot and smells cooked. Keep stirring!
- Stir in the sugar: Add the sugar and stir until the mixture looks like a bubbly thick syrup.
- Warm the milk: Whisk in the milk and vanilla extract. Warm gently over medium heat, watching carefully to make sure it doesn’t boil over.
- Blend the milk: Carefully process the milk mixture with a hand blender or in a traditional blender (hold the lid down tightly with a thick wad of towels!) until frothy and blended.
- Mix the drinks: Make the espresso or coffee and divide between two mugs and add the frothed milk. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, or nutmeg if desired.
To Make it “Skinny:”
- Substitute Whole Milk for Nonfat or Soy
- Use Splenda instead of Cane Sugar
- Choose to not include Whipped Cream
- Look for Organic canned pumpkin in the Natural Food Aisle
Enjoy!