When I started graduate school for organic chemistry, nearly everyone had a coffee cup permanently glued to their hand by the end of the second week. First year students were required to take two classes, teach two undergraduate lab sessions, and attend three seminars each week. Add in grading the lab reports for those lower division classes, as well as completing our own problem sets, and caffeine immediately became a necessity. We barely got any sleep!
There was a reason the Chemistry Department always offered both cookies and coffee at those required seminars… They started at 4 pm, and without them, the entire lecture hall would’ve started snoring by the time the guest speaker finished their introduction!
Most grad students brought their own coffee in the mornings, usually in a travel mug since nearly everyone biked to campus. Armed with a pencil in one hand and coffee in the other, they sat through the early morning classes while scribbling down notes from the old-fashioned blackboards. Even the professors brought their own coffee to class!
Many of the first years walked across the courtyard to the student center in the afternoons to grab another pick-me-up from Starbucks on the days without seminars. With our very small grad student income, the majority opted for inexpensive plain cups of black coffee instead of fancier frappuccinos, cappuccinos, or lattes, but every once in a while during the fall… Someone would splurge for a pumpkin spice latte.
Since my brother just moved into his new graduate school student housing, I started thinking about my own grad school days… And I started craving this copycat Ultimate Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte as a result! It tastes — dare I say it? — even better than the original from Starbucks, and it costs just a fraction of the price!
Even better, it contains entirely wholesome, clean eating ingredients (along with a delicious dairy-free option!). Nothing artificial, no sugar or refined sweeteners or syrups… And yes, unlike the very first PSLs way back in the day, this homemade one actually does include real pumpkin!
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST HEALTHY HOMEMADE PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE
Our healthy homemade pumpkin spice latte (or PSL, for short!) starts with extra strong coffee. Yes, traditional lattes always use shots of espresso, but because most of us have regular coffee makers at home, not espresso machines, we’re using coffee. Since you’re adding more milk than coffee, it’s important to make the coffee extra strong so you can taste it. Besides, very few people turn down extra caffeine, right?
To that, we’ll add the hot milk mixture. You’ll make this by heating milk and pumpkin purée on the stove until they start to simmer. If you’d like, you can easily make this healthy homemade pumpkin spice latte vegan and by using your preferred dairy-free milk! Soy milk, almond milk, cashew milk, and coconut milk all work.
Next come the spices and sweetener. You’ll use a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to create the iconic pumpkin spice flavor. Since they can tend to clump, whisk them into the hot milk very well! As for the sweetener, we’ll use liquid stevia. Stevia is a no-calorie, plant-based sweetener, and this brand that I used can be found at most health-oriented grocery stores. (However, I typically buy it online at that link because it’s the cheapest price I’ve found!)
Then pour, sip and…
Ahhhhh. Pure bliss! And when you make your own, remember to snap a picture and share it on Instagram using #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the photo itself! (That guarantees I’ll see your picture! 🙂 ) I’d love to see your ultimate healthy homemade pumpkin spice latte!
| The Ultimate Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte | | Print |
- 1 cup (240mL) nonfat milk or non-dairy milk (see Notes!)
- 1 tbsp (15g) pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie mix!)
- 4 drops liquid stevia, or adjusted to taste
- ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
- tiny pinch ground nutmeg
- tiny pinch ground ginger
- ¾ cup (180mL) extra strong coffee
- Add the milk and pumpkin to a small pot. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly with a whisk, until the mixture begins to simmer. Add in the stevia, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Whisk the mixture until it becomes frothy.
- Add the coffee to a large mug, and pour the milk mixture on top.
I buy my liquid stevia online here because that's the best price I've found, and you'll use it in all of these recipes of mine too! Any sweetener may be substituted for the liquid stevia. Adjust the amount to suit your tastes.
Two shots of espresso may be substituted for the extra strong coffee. To prepare the extra strong coffee, add twice the amount of coffee grounds to the coffee maker as is required.
{gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, clean eating, low fat, sugar free}
View Nutrition Information + Weight Watchers Points
Can’t wait to try this. I was surprised to find the Vanilla Creme Stevia at Kroger (especially the price !!!!!)
Quck question. Are 4 drops of the Stevia about 1/4 t ? Thanks.
That’s amazing that you found vanilla creme stevia at Kroger! Your bottle should’ve come with an eyedropper attached to the lid. Four drops are less than 1/16 of a teaspoon. 🙂 I’m excited to hear what you think of the latte Lexy!
This is so delicious & really easy. I used almond milk & 2 tbsp of pumpkin & honey for the sweetner. Thank you for sharing. I can’t wait to try some of your other recipes.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the latte Amy, and that means a lot to me that you’d like to try more of my recipes as well! I can’t wait to hear what you pick next! 🙂
Hi Amy, I am so glad you created this recipe, but a 16 oz PSL is 380 calories. Who wants to drink that much…..maybe one won’t kill me. But, this version seems like something my husband and I can do at home. I am curious, if I wanted to make extra of the puree/milk combo and put it in the frig for a quick reheat, how long do you think it would last. A couple of days, a week? Or is it better to just make it and use it. Thanks again for a healthier alternative. .
Yes, you can do that with the milk mixture! If stored in an airtight container, it should last at least 4-5 days. (It mainly depends on how fresh your milk is! 🙂 ) I can’t wait to hear what you and your husband think of the latte Jenn!
So glad to have found this recipe, and looking forward to checking out the rest of your page. I am new to eating clean, 6 months in now, and my biggest hurdle is my sweet tooth! I have started with eliminating everything sweet and that set me up for failure. It’s so hard to fight the temptation and I always slip with snacks. Looking forward to checking out your site and hoping to find some great ideas and solutions for those sweet cravings. It’s been a long while since I’ve enjoyed a latte without the guilt, can’t wait to enjoy this one!
That’s incredible that you’ve stuck with a clean diet for 6 months!! Good for you! 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what you think of this latte, and it means a lot to me that you want to look at my other recipes too!
Made it today using almond milk mixed with a little half and half. Used pure thm stevia and vanilla extract. Taste great!!!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this latte!! 🙂 Thanks for mentioning your recipe tweaks — I always love hearing what modifications work!
Pretty good! I used one tbs each sugar free caramel and vanilla coffee syrup instead of stevia. A healthy way to get my PSL fix, I’ll definitely be making this again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this homemade PSL Whitney! That means a lot to me that you plan on making it again — that’s the best kind of compliment! 🙂
I’m late to find this but I just did a test run to make sure I wanted it in this morning and it took all I have to not drink it all right then and there. So amazing!
I’m so glad you loved this latte Jessie! That’s the best kind of compliment if you wanted to drink it all tonight — I’m honored! Thank you! 🙂
Finally a sensible receipe for a pumpkin latte! Hard to believe that people out there actually consume those coffee shop things. My old (and still current) receipe for pumpkin pie used: cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, mace, cloves and allspice. All the spices report for duty in my kitchen. Love spices so I will be a little more heavy handed when I make this tomorrow. And hold the whipped cream.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this pumpkin spice latte Faye! I’m a huge spice lover too, so I totally approve of adding more spices! 😉
This is delish Amy!! Thank you for the recipe…I might just had a little more stevia to sweeten it, but other wise it is amazing!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this latte! That means a lot to me! 🙂
Amy;
Hi,i would like to try making your ultimate healthy pumpkin latte but i don’t like drinking coffee,i drink tea.can this recipe be made into a pumpkin tea latte?
Kim
Yes, just substitute double-strength tea and you’ll be all set! 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what you think of it, Kim!