Attn: Starbucks addicts!!!
Rest easy this fall….
even though the Pumpkin Spice Latte is now available, you can keep your $ in your wallet and your pants size in your closet!
I have the BEST Pumpkin Spice Latte syrup recipe…..and my “healthified” version, which (let’s be honest) is not the best, but is a close second.
I am a pretty thrifty person, but I do have a weakness……purchasing copius amounts of caffeine!
Yes, cheap-o me! I pay too much for a legal addictive stimulant!
Coffee and Jesus are how I function!
Really, I can stay away from Starbucks most the year….except for fall, when the Pumpkin Spice Latte comes out!
But this year will be different (and I’m sure my husband is thankful)
because a couple weeks ago, my friend Lindsey sent me a link to the best tasting Starbuck’s knock-off syrup I’ve ever tried.
Confections of a Foodie Bride Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Syrup.
This stuff is seriously that good…..so good that I know I can save a lot of money NOT buying my beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks.
However…..the first day I made it, I drank a lot of homemade lattes (notice I didn’t write that amount…ya , the number is that embarrassing),
and that’s when I decided that although it saved me money, having to buy new pants to fit into wouldn’t– and that I’d better come up with a healthier version!
So….
If you don’t have any problems keeping you’re weight down, and you like to ingest absurd amounts of sugar, you can go to the link above….it’s pretty much like fall heaven.
But….if you’re like me and looking at lattes causes you to gain a pound, then I have a healthier version for you below.
I actually have two versions: One is an all-natural version and one is a low-cal version:
All Natural Pumpkin Spice Sauce (my fave):
* 1 1/4 cups water
* 3/4 cup Agave Nectar (I purchase this in the bulk food section of our super market, but you can also find it at any health food store)
* 3 Cinnamon Sticks
* 1/2 tsp of ginger
*1/2 tsp of ground cloves
* 1 tsp of nutmeg
(or if you’re lazy like me and that is too many ingredients, just shake on some all spice until you’re happy with it)
* 3 Tbs of canned pumpkin —or if you’re a go-gether, then use real pumpkins and puree
Low-Cal Version
* 1 cup water
* 3/4 cup Splenda
* 3 Cinnamon Sticks
* 1/2 tsp of ginger
*1/2 tsp of ground cloves
* 1 tsp of nutmeg
(or again, if you’re lazy like me and that is too many ingredients, just shake on some all spice until you’re happy with it)
* 3 Tbs of canned pumpkin
The recipe creator (link above) has different instructions, but am into “quick cooking”, so I threw all my ingredients together in a pan, waited for it to boil a bit while I stirred it and that was it…(still delicious)!
How to make the latte
Make some VERY strong coffee….
NOTE: To get strong coffee, I take the leftover breakfast coffee (probably around 2-3 cups), and pour it back in the coffee maker (instead of water), add some grounds to the ones that were already used and re-brew. This makes awesomely strong coffee!
Use around 5 tbps of it (or so they suggest….I use more)
6-8 oz skim milk (for the low-cal version) -or- unsweetened coconut milk (for the all-natural version)
Heat the milk.
* note: the coconut milk is awesome, because it’s thicker than regular milk, it’s my preferred choice.
2-3 Tbps Pumpkin Spice Syrup —-or more if you like it sweet like I do.
Mix together, and add a little whipping cream, or a sprinkle of cinnamon is you want (the cream part isn’t low cal).
Enjoy!!!
 |
I'm a wife, a sister, a daughter, a mother of 5, a Jesus lover, a coffee abuser, an obsesser of all things DIY, design and decor related.
Most of what you'll see here are ways to live inexpensively, and how I put those into practice with my constant need to renovate houses.
We are a military family of 7, so houses must come big and inexpensive, and made beautiful as we go, turning what most would see as trash, into treasure.
Thanks for stopping by, stay awhile and make yourself at home. I hope you enjoy my ideas. 
I will be trying this. Love starbuck’s coffee but 120 calories is a little much for theirs. I can’t wait/
I’m going to have to try this so I’m pinning. Thanks!
Enjoy Maureen! Thanks for stopping by
–Katie
This sounds wonderful! Pinning to my {Punch} board… even though it’s not punch
I’m looking for Fall type drink recipes. Thanks for sharing yours.
JoAnn
I just pinned this recipe! Can’t wait to try it!! Thanks for sharing!!
Enjoy Allie!
Thanks for stopping by!
–Katie
This sounds delicious! Do you save the remaining pumpkin in the fridge and use it again?
Totally! It can be saved for the next batch of syrup!….or pumpkin muffins
Thanks for stopping by!
–Katie
Oooo I like the re-brewing old coffee for stronger coffee idea! Never thought of that. I will definitely give this recipe a go! Thanks for the tips
I love this!! I so love finding ways to make copycat recipes to save $$!! I would love to invite you to share this at Mom’s Test Meal Mondays!
http://momstestkitchen.blogspot.com/2012/09/moms-test-meal-mondays-9.html
Hope you had a great weekend!
You had me with ‘healthy’! I will try the sugar free version! What a treat!
I LOVE pumpkin spice latte!!! But, being dairy allergic, I get soy. I always wish that I could have it with almond milk. Yay, now I can! I do have to go the full sugar way though…..
Or use coconut milk….my fave! This tasted so good….and yes, I have to admit that the full-sugar one tastes better!
–Katie
This looks so good! I will have to try. I also signed up to follow your site.
Great! Thanks Beth. So glad you stopped by!
–Katie
That DOES sound like Fall Heaven!! Thank you for sharing at my linky party. Pinning!
<3 Christina at I Gotta Create!
Beautiful picture, I can just smell that pumpkin spice! Going to share with my followers on my facebook page. They will love it! New follwer here too
~ Julie
redheadcandecorate.com
Thanks Julie! So glad you stopped by. I’ve enjoyed seeing all of your awesomeness in the blogosphere lately!
–Katie
yum yum yummmm. Katie this looks very good! I have my blanket wrapped around me…just gotta get me one of those up there!
Thanks for sharing this yumminess!
I think you’ll like it:) Hope you’re doing good Jen!
….do you really need a blanket already?! What’s the weather doing in S.CA right now? lol
–Katie
Yum!!!!! thanks for sharing…..I can’t wait to try this!
My hubs will be so happy you posted this. Thanks.
what a great way
to feed my cravings
without breaking my diet!
stopping by from ATPF
to say hello
now following on FB!
alison
I agree….I think if pumpkin spice lattes were totally off-limits, I wouldn’t be able to do it! This helps
Thanks for stopping by!
–Katie
Thanks so much for the healthier version! I have been looking for a way to “lighten up” my favourite drink
I will definitely be following!
- Fearon
forheartandhealth.blogpot.ca
Thanks for stopping by Fearon!
–Katie
Mmm… ‘Sounds divine! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
This sounds delicious! I love being able to recreate expensive drinks at home.
We’d love for you to link up to our Finished Friday Blog Party.
Ok….you totally had me at SB Pumpkin Spice Latte. It’s my FAV coffee drink of all time….! BUT I refuse to drink it because it’s soooo loaded with big, ol’ fat calories! NOT good if you’re a runner like me – trying to lose some flab before spring vacation. So thank you thank you thank you for sharing these healthier versions today! I’m pinning them and will be making them this weekend!
xoxo laurie
Good! I think it’s great to be able to enjoy it without the sugar and fat! Enjoy!
–Katie
Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing.
I’m a coffee/pumpkin addict, so I’m sure I’ll try this sometime. (Also, I would think that if you didn’t want to use so many spice ingredients, pumpkin pie spice would work wonderfully!)
I didn’t even think of Pumpkin Pie spice…..that would be good!
Delightful!! I’m addicted to the Starbucks version so I think I’ll need to try this out!
I’ve pinned and I’ll be sharing on FB in a bit!
Awesome! Thanks Emily. I hope you are doing good and having a fun fall with your fam. I’ve made three batches of the syrup already….it’s saved me a lot of $!
–Katie
Hi! Thank you so much for this recipe! I am a huge Starbucks fan, but I’m not driving past a Starbucks everyday on the way to school everyday so I was definitely going to miss out on my favorite beverage ever- the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (I like mine frozen/blended because it is rarely cold enough for a regular latte here). I have tried several recipes online, but they don’t taste like Starbucks and then it hit me – syrup! I am so glad I found this recipe. I am going to have to try it ASAP, after I pick up some cinnamon sticks. I mentioned this on my blog and borrowed your picture and linked back to this page. Thanks so much for this!!
Thanks Rachelle! It’s saved me quite a bit of $ so far. I’ve made about 4 batches of the syrup.
Hope you like it too
–Katie
How long can you save the syrup for?
Good question! I kept it for a week and it was still fine. I’m not sure how long it would last after that though?
–Katie