Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

“A cup of coffee, home made, that comes to you dark as a hazel-eye, but changes to a golden bronze as you temper it with cream…such a cup of coffee is a match for twenty blue devils and will exorcise them all.” – H. W. Beecher

I created this recipe back in 2006 when I was still in graduate school and Starbucks was a constant, if expensive, companion. Five years later this is still one of my favorite Autumn beverages. Flavored with fresh nutmeg, ground cloves and brown sugar, I used to drink it while reading a book or dawdling at the computer. Nowadays, I pour it in a hot cup and drink it one-handed while putting train tracks together. :)

Pumpkin Spice Latte (My Recipe)

Ingredients: Makes 2 servings
• 1 level tablespoon pumpkin puree (canned)
• 1 cup milk (whole if you dare!)
• 1/2 tablespoon light brown sugar (packed and leveled)
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg (+ a pinch for dusting later)
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups strong coffee (brewed using 2 tbs per 1 cup of water)
  You can also use a shot or two of espresso instead of coffee.
• 4 tablespoons half-and-half
• Sugar to taste
• Whipped cream

Directions

Begin brewing coffee.

In a blender puree the milk, pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, brown sugar and vanilla. Pour into a small saucepan and cook over low heat until the milk is warm and begins to froth slightly. (About 4-5 minutes.) Remove from heat.

For each serving: Pour 1/2 cup of the pumpkin mixture into your coffee mug. Add 2 generous tablespoons of half-and-half. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, then add 1 cup of brewed coffee. Top it off with a touch more ‘pumpkin milk,’ add sugar to taste, then cover with whipped cream and sprinkle with nutmeg.