DIY Pumpkin Spice Lattes & Pumpkin Pie White Hot Chocolate!

It is that time of year...I love fall and one of my favorite things about it is..PUMPKIN madness.  Everything comes in pumpkin flavor!  Pumpkin scones, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin bread, pumpkin soup...

Here are a few pumpkin flavored hot drinks to take the chill off those chilly mornings!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Photo courtesy of  flikr

makes 1-2 servings

Ingredients:

2 cups milk

2 tablespoons canned pumpkin OR 1 teaspoon of  Pumpkin Spice Syrup (your choice)

2 tablespoons sugar or sugar substitute - you can halve this amount

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1-2 shots espresso (about 1/4 cup of espresso or 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee if you don't have an espresso machine.)

Directions:

In a saucepan combine milk, pumpkin and sugar and cook on medium heat, stirring, until steaming. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and spice, transfer to a blender and process for 15 seconds until foamy or just whisk the mixture really well with a wire whisk.  Even better?  

Use your french press to froth all of it!

You just pour the milk mixture into the french press and pump it up and down vigorously until it is just as frothy as you would like.

Now pour into a large mug and add the espresso on top.

Optional: Top with whipped cream and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or cinnamon on top.

This great recipe from http://www.thekitchn.com/   

If coffee is not your thing try this delicious pumpkin pie white hot chocolate recipe from Closet Cooking.

Pumpkin Pie White Hot Chocolate 

from Closet Cooking

(makes 4 servings)

Ingredients:

3 cups whole milk

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ginger

1/8 teaspoon cloves

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 ounces white chocolate (roughly chopped)

pinch salt

  

Directions:

Just heat everything besides the hot chocolate then mix in the chocolate once it has reached a steady simmer and take it off the heat while you add the chocolate and stir it until it melts.  

Want it frothy like a steamer?  You just pour the milk mixture into the french press and pump it up and down vigorously until it is just as frothy as you would like.

Optional: Top with whipped cream and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, or cinnamon on top.

YUMMY!! I can't wait to try these!  Hope these drinks take the chill off and help you enjoy fall!