Autumn lovers and pumpkin worshippers alike will be pleased to hear that Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spiced Latte is due to return on the 30th of August.
In light of this excitement, Jackandbeyond.com decided to find how much it would cost to make your very own Pumpkin Spice Latte, and it’s no surpirse that the total cost of a homemade version is only £1.29 – half the price of the Starbucks version at £3.55!
Sophie Zimmer from Jack and Beyond tells us that “creating the ‘PSL’ at home is an easy activity that you can do as a family to ensure you are saving money on daily Starbucks trips, and instead have the opportunity to perfect for your own taste.”
She continues; ”It is also worth bearing in mind the positive environmental impact that making your own ‘PSL’ might have as you are lowering food waste by using things you probably already have in your cupboard”.
Anyway, that’s enough of a build-up. Without further ado, here’s how to make the perfect pumpkin spiced latte at home.
Make The Pumpkin Puree
The first step is to make the pumpkin puree.
Begin by slicing, deseeding and then deveining a pumpkin, before baking it for 45 minutes at 190°C in a preheated oven. Once the pumpkin slices are properly tender to the tip of a knife, blend in a food processor until smooth.
If you are short on time, perhaps try a pre-made pumpkin puree that will make the process speedier — especially if you are in the midst of a busy week at work.
Create The Perfect Spice Blend
Whilst you wait for the puree to bake, you can begin to create the vital spice mix that gives the latte its distinctive flavour. To create the perfect blend of spices, you will need:
- 4 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons of ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon of ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
It is worth noting the spice blend will taste even more heady and intoxicating if you gently toast whole versions of the spices before grinding them.
Read: Tips for cooking with store cupboard spices
Heat Up Your Chosen Milk
In a pan, warm 2 mugs of your chosen milk (dairy or non-dairy alternative) before frothing it with a whisk. Alternatively, you can heat and froth your milk using a milk frother machine.
Mix Together
To complete your PSL, in a heatproof glass or mug combine 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree and 1 shot of espresso, add half a teaspoon of your spice mix and whisk until smooth. For extra sweetness, include 1 tablespoon of sugar or 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract. Add in the warm milk and any leftover froth, and stir.
Enjoy & Relax With Your Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
To achieve maximum autumnal cosiness, serve in a large mug or to achieve the cafe aesthetic, serve in a tall glass.
Don’t forget to serve with whipped cream, a dusting of cocoa powder and a cinnamon stick for stirring. You can put Starbucks to shame by going a step further and decorating with edible glitter and chocolate dusting art, as well as adding caramel sauce if it wasn’t already sweet enough!
