McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte is one of the most beloved seasonal drinks during the fall. It is rightly popular because it is freshly brewed every day and has hints of cinnamon and pumpkin spice that hit differently.
Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte, too, but often, the price to pay and the waiting time in the queue can be quite overwhelming. Well, this was the motivation that drew me to make a homemade version of McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte at home, and I can say that it tastes quite good.
In this recipe, I will teach you how to make the best McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte at home, along with dairy-free and vegan options. I will also share with you how to make the best pumpkin spice puree at home and use it all autumn long.
This is one of the most refreshing, ordered, and highly loved recipes. So, prepare your notes, or make it with me because we will get started.
Equipments Required
- Whisk: I use a whisk to create a smooth blend for the latte. You can also use an immersion blender or frother for this recipe.
- Saucepan: To heat the milk, I use my saucepan.
- Coffee cup: I use my favorite coffee mug to enjoy this latte at home.
McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: The ingredients in this recipe can serve upto two people. You can increase the ingredient quantities if you wish to make more.
- 1 Cup Milk: For this recipe, I prefer whole milk, oat milk, or almond milk since they froth the best.
- 2 Tablespoons Pumpkin Puree: I either buy this at the store or make it at home. To make it at home, I use a fresh pumpkin and bake it in a preheated oven for about 45-60 minutes. Then, I pull the skin and seeds out and blend them into a smooth paste using a processor.
- ½ Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice—If I don’t get pumpkin pie spice in the store, I make it at home using 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, ½ teaspoons all spice, ½ teaspoons ground cloves, ½ teaspoons ground mace, ½ teaspoons ground nutmeg.
- ¼ Whipped Cream
- ½ Teaspoon Coffee: You can use instant coffee of any brand of your choice.
- 1 Cup White Sugar: You can use any sweetener of your choice.
Preparation And Cooking Time
Cooking Time | Total Time |
---|---|
10 Minutes | 10 Minutes |
How To Make McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe At Home
Step 1
Begin by taking a saucepan and heating the milk until it simmers.
Step 2
Then, add the pumpkin puree to the saucepan and mix it well until it is well incorporated into the milk.
Step 3
Next, add the white sugar to the pan.
Step 4
Now, it’s time to add a teaspoon of ground coffee to the pan.
Step 5
Whisk them all together, and your pumpkin spice latte will be ready.
Step 6
Your Pumpkin Spice Latte is ready.
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- This is quite a forgiving recipe, so I like to make changes wherever necessary. For example, I prefer to add more cinnamon, sweetener, or even a different variety of coffee to customize the taste according to my preferences.
- The key is heating the milk at the right temperature. I like to simmer the milk at a low temperature because high temperatures can cause the protein in the milk to break, which can make it lumpy.
- I also consider adding a French press to brew the coffee for a richer flavor. This method extracts more oils and flavors from the coffee grounds than instant coffee.
FAQs About McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte
Nutritional Information Per Serving
McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte is not a healthy option to drink on a daily basis because it is rich in calories, sugar, and fat. But if you’re making this at home, you can customize the sugar and coffee quantity and use fresh pumpkin puree, which makes it quite healthy.
To give you a deeper insight, here is the nutritional chart of McDonald’s pumpkin spice latte below:
Calories | 369 kcal |
Total Fat | 8.3 g |
Saturated Fat | 4.8 g |
Cholesterol | 18 mg |
sodium | 46 mg |
Total Carbohydrate | 78.2 g |
Dietary fiber | 6.6 g |
Total sugars | 57. 5 g |
Protein | 4.5 g |
Calcium | 265 mcg |
Iron | 6 mg |
Potassium | 425 mg |
Another bonus about this recipe is that it is naturally gluten free and a good option for vegetarian people as well.
Recipe Variations For Different Diets
- Vegan: Making McDonald’s pumpkin spice latte in vegan style is also quite possible. I use vegan milk options like almond or coconut milk, along with vegan sweeteners like agave syrup or honey. To top it off, I use vegan whipped cream, like coconut cream.
- Dairy-Free: To make McDonald’s pumpkin spice latte dairy-free, I use almond or soy milk, which tastes delicious. Also, I use coconut whipped cream for this recipe.
Storing and Reheating This Recipe
Storing
- Countertop: I like to keep my McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte on the counter for only 15-20 minutes if I am going to drink it. A pumpkin spice latte tastes best when it is hot, so there is no point in leaving it on the counter for a long.
- Refrigerate: I store my McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte latte in the fridge for at least four days and reheat it later when I want to have this.
- Freezing: I would not recommend freezing your McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte because the ice and milk can alter the taste. However, you can make the pumpkin puree ahead of time and freeze it. Later, you can thaw it before using it. If you are making pumpkin spice puree at home, then you can store it in a freezer-friendly bag for about six months.
Reheating
- Stovetop: To reheat the latte on the stovetop, I pour it onto the pan and stir it at low heat to prevent the milk from curdling. When I see the heat steaming out of the latte, I turn it off. It is also best to have a kitchen thermometer to ensure that the temperature does not reach beyond 150 degrees F.
- Microwave: For convenience, I have also tried reheating my McDonald’s pumpkin spice latte in the microwave. To do this, I like to pour the latte into a microwave-friendly dish and heat it at medium heat with 20-30-second bursts. Always check at regular intervals to prevent your milk from scalding.
What To Serve With This Recipe
McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte tastes so good that you can pair it with anything, and the food combination turns out to be epic. One of my go-to combinations is a pumpkin spice latte with a fresh croissant on the side. Apart from croissants, I also like to have this with Burgers or Sandwiches with fries of any kind. This is my favorite snack box of any time.
Pumpkin spice latte also goes well with sweets like glazed donuts or Pies. I like to have them with nuts or Mozzarella Sticks for a light snack on the side.
Printable Version
McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Milk
- 2 Tablespoons Pumpkin Puree
- ½ Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
- ¼ Cup Whipped Cream
- ½ Teaspoon Coffee
- 1 Cup White Sugar
Equipment
- Whisk
- Saucepan
- Coffee Cup
Instructions
- Begin by taking a saucepan and heating the milk until it thickens.
- Then, add the pumpkin puree to the saucepan and mix it well until it is well incorporated into the milk.
- Next, add the white sugar to the pan as per your taste preference.
- Now, it’s time to add a teaspoon of ground coffee to the pan and stir the latte nicely.
- Finally, add a teaspoon of pumpkin spice mix for enhanced flavors and whisk them all together.
- Your pumpkin spice is ready.
Video
Notes
- This is quite a forgiving recipe, so I like to make changes wherever necessary. For example, I prefer to add more cinnamon, sweetener, or even a different variety of coffee to customize the taste according to my preferences.
- Â The key is heating the milk at the right temperature. I like to simmer the milk at a low temperature because high temperatures can cause the protein in the milk to break, which can make it lumpy.
- I also consider adding a French press to brew the coffee for a richer flavor. This method extracts more oils and flavors from the coffee grounds than instant coffee.
Nutrition
More McDonald’s Recipes That You Can Try
Conclusion
Your coffee mug might be filled with McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte, but it gets over so quickly. Luckily, you learned how to make this creamy drink at home for easy refills. This drink, with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices, will definitely keep you warm inside out.
During celebration time, most people ponder upon feast and dinner ideas, but what about drinks? Well, one thing is for sure: everyone loves pumpkin spice latte. So, why not impress them with your homemade McDonald’s Pumpkin Spice Latte and get a nod of approval.
So, try out this recipe, and if you do, let me know in the comment section how it turned out. I love to hear people’s success stories with McDonald’s pumpkin spice latte.