What’s In Pumpkin Spice? How to Make and Use it

#PSL. You know what we are talking about, the Pumpkin Spice Latte. Since Starbucks introduced the Pumpkin Spice Latte in 2003, it has become one of the harbingers of autumn. Pumpkin Spice scents and flavors are now everywhere: from muffins, to body wash, candles and cookies.

What Exactly is Pumpkin Spice?

“Pumpkin Spice” flavored foods often have no pumpkin in them. Instead, “Pumpkin Spice” refers to the tradition blend of spices that flavor pumpkin pies: cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, mace, and nutmeg. Below is a basic formula for pumpkin spice. Make as much or as little as you want and feel free to customize the amount of spices. Make it your own!

• 6 parts Ground Cinnamon
• 4 parts ground Ginger
• 1 part Allspice
• 1 part ground Cloves
• 1 part ground Mace
• 1 part ground Nutmeg

We love pumpkin! Our recipes below harness the power of pumpkin pie spices with the deliciousness of real pumpkin.

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Ingredients Pumpkin Spice Mix:

• 
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 
Freshly ground black pepper
• 
1/2 cup sugar 
• 
1/3 cup pure vanilla extract

Latte:

• 1 cup whole milk
• 
1 to 2 shots espresso
• 
1/4 cup heavy cream, whipped until firm peaks form

Mix Instructions:

• Heat the pumpkin and spices: In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook the pumpkin with the pumpkin pie spice and a generous helping of black pepper for 2 minutes or until it’s hot and smells cooked. Stir constantly.
• Stir in the sugar: Add the sugar and stir until the mixture looks like a bubbly thick syrup.
• At this point you are done with the mix. This makes 8 servings. Can be refrigerated for a week.

To Make Latte:

1. Blend Spice and milk: Whisk 1/3 cup pumpkin spice mix-in with the milk. Warm gently over medium heat, watching carefully to make sure it doesn’t boil over.
2. Blend the milk: Carefully process the milk mixture with a hand blender or in a traditional blender (hold the lid down tightly with a thick wad of towels!) until frothy and blended.
3. Mix the drinks: Make the espresso or coffee and add the frothed spice and milk mixture.
4. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, or nutmeg.

Pumpkin Spice Pancakes

• 2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together flour sugar, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, pumpkin, vanilla, and melted butter.
3. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix just until incorporated, don’t overmix.
4. Using a 1/3 cup measure, pour the batter onto a buttered griddle or into a large frying pan.
5. They’re ready to flip when they start to look a little dry around the edges, and the edges are starting to form little bubbles. Cook on both sides until cooked through.
6. Top with butter and syrup.