How to Make an Easy Dairy-Free Pumpkin Spice Latte with Plant-Based Milk

Name: How to Make an Easy Dairy-Free Pumpkin Spice Latte with Plant-Based Milk
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Dairy-Free
Ingredients: 2 cups Elmhurst® Oat Barista Edition; ¾ cup Coffee, brewed strong; 2 ½ Tbsp. Fresh Pumpkin Puree (not pumpkin pie filling); 2 Tbsp. Maple Syrup (or sugar of choice); 2 tsp. Vanilla; ¾ tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice (plus extras for topping)

It's true— you really can create a delicious pumpkin spice latte without leaving the house.

Since its debut in 2003, the Pumpkin Spice Latte (or PSL) has become a seasonal staple that millions wait for each year, with its appearance on coffee shop menus and grocery store shelves now marking the unofficial start of fall. But now, there’s no need to keep asking your barista when pumpkin spice is coming back or to make specific requests to make sure your coffee shop uses vegan ingredients, because you can be in total control and make your own at home. This recipe is dairy-free, requires no fancy espresso machine, and best of all, makes this beloved beverage available any time of the year.

What is a Pumpkin Spice Latte?

A latte is an espresso-based drink that contains steamed milk and foam. A pumpkin spice latte simply throws pumpkin spice and pumpkin puree into the equation and tastes like dreamy, caffeinated pumpkin pie in a cup.

Pumpkin spice is a cozy blend of spices that you’ll find in any traditional pumpkin pie. You might even know pumpkin spice from whipping up years of Thanksgiving treats! You can experience an array of flavors like cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, and ginger that harmonize into a seasonally festive palate.

Are Pumpkin Spice Lattes Vegan?

A standard PSL from your local coffee shop is typically high in sugar and fat, and contains dairy. At some shops you can have your barista substitute in plant-based products like Nut Milks. But, many of the dairy-free or vegan options will use unnecessary gums, emulsifiers, added oils and other thickeners and additives. And at many major chains, the pumpkin spice syrup itself contains dairy so there’s no real option.

And is all that really a fall treat?

We’re going with a hard “no”. Instead, make your pumpkin spice latte at home. Your body, not to mention your bank account, will thank you for it, especially if you use our Pumpkin Spice Oat Creamer! A pack of two, which provides 60 servings in total, will cost you just a little more than two pumpkin spice lattes from a coffee shop, and means you get all the fun of making it yourself, too!

HOW TO MAKE A VEGAN PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE AT HOME

Pumpkin is one of nature's wonderful foods that is packed with nutrients that are good for the body and it doesn’t have to just be a ‘fall food’. Pumpkin is rich in Vitamin A, antioxidants, immunity-boosting vitamins, and lutein while boasting a low-calorie count. At the beginning of cold and flu season, consuming foods like this that benefit your immune system can help keep you healthy.

While you can use canned pumpkin or pumpkin pie filling in your latte, we recommend making your own pumpkin puree. It’s simple to do and you can control everything that goes into it, eliminating unnecessary sugar and other additives or preservatives. Remember, if you want to make things even simpler, just make your regular cup of coffee and add our Pumpkin Spice Oat Creamer instead!

If using our Oat Creamer feels like cheating, read on!

To make your pumpkin puree, roast two halves of a seeded pumpkin until they are fully cooked. Then, scoop out the cooked pumpkin and put it into a blender. Add some salt to taste if you prefer, or leave it out completely. To substitute for canned pumpkin, simply use the same amount of puree you would use. You can also freeze portions of unused puree for easy retrieval later. Try putting your puree in ice cube trays to freeze, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag until you’re ready to use them. Pumpkin typically stays good in the freezer for 6 months and about 1 week in the fridge.

How to make a latte: If you don't have an espresso machine, don't worry! You can still make a good PSL. Make some strongly brewed coffee first. Now time for the milk. First, make sure you’re choosing a milk that will froth and pair with your coffee best like any of our Barista Editions. If you have a hand frother or blender, heat the milk through first, and then you can use either of these to get that foamy, dreamy texture you’d expect from a latte.

You can even get great froth simply using a jar. Heat the milk separately from your other ingredients and then pour, close, and (carefully) shake until you get your desired amount of foam. Pour the milk into your coffee and add your desired amount of foam on top. Easy!

Quick tips for brewing stronger coffee: If you'd like a stronger coffee, brew your coffee twice over in a traditional drip machine or select the smallest setting on your instant one-cup brewer. You can also use a French press with a high concentration of coffee with a smaller amount of water. If you do have an espresso machine, use 2 shots of espresso in place of the brewed coffee.

WILL PLANT MILK CURDLE IN MY COFFEE?

If you’re a long-time Plant Milk user, you have most likely added a splash to your coffee and experienced it breaking apart or splitting at least once, resembling a lava-lamp more than a creamy cup of coffee. Although it may look like it, the Plant Milk isn’t actually curdling though. So, what is happening?

To answer this simply - the proteins and natural fats in your Plant-Based Milk are separating.

Because most coffee is very acidic, plant-based alternatives like Almond Milk (even those with gums and emulsifiers) can have a hard time staying combined when added to it. When this happens, it is still safe to drink and will usually come back together with a stir, but you’ll likely have to continue stirring until you’ve finished your cup. Some Plant Milks also have a hard time frothing, because they don’t have enough of those same natural proteins in them.

This is why, for this recipe, we chose to use our Oat Barista Edition. Much like our Elmhurst Unsweetened Milked Oats™, you won’t find any added oils or gums in our barista oat milk and it’s still made with whole-grain oats (you can learn more about Oat Milk here) all while giving you that velvety texture you expect from a latte. Our entire Barista Series was specifically made to complement your favorite coffee with foaming, steaming, and frothing (and even latte art) in mind, and you can use any of them can be used in this recipe! Combined with the pumpkin and spices, you’ve got everything you need for a perfectly creamy, dairy-free Pumpkin Spice Latte.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups Elmhurst® Oat Barista Edition
¾ cup Coffee, brewed strong
2 ½ Tbsp. Fresh Pumpkin Puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
2 Tbsp. Maple Syrup (or sugar of choice)
2 tsp. Vanilla
¾ tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice (plus extras for topping)

Prep Time: 5 mins
Servings: 2

PREPARATION

Brew coffee and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, add the Barista Edition Oat Milk, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice.
Cook on medium-low, stirring constantly until all ingredients are completely blended together. For a frothier consistency, try using a hand frother to combine or frothing the milk separately from the pumpkin mixture.
Add coffee, and finish stirring until the desired drinking temperature is reached.
Serve as is or with dairy-free whipped topping and extra pumpkin pie spice, if desired.

Or, if you want to “cheat” and make a delicious pumpkin spice latte quicker, just brew your coffee to your desired strength or make your favorite cup of instant coffee and add our Pumpkin Spice Oat Creamer!

MAKE IT AND SHARE IT!

Tag us on social media if you try it @elmhurst1925 or with #ElmhurstRecipes on Instagram for a chance to be featured on our page! Need the milk to get started? You can find our Oat Barista and all of our Plant Milks on our website and order today!