I’m not a big Starbucks fan. Not because it’s a big corporation (or anything similarly noble), but because I live in Brooklyn, and without really trying, became something of a bougie coffee snob. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a candy-like, foamy PSL in the fall. Since I drink coffee at an alarming rate, I started making pumpkin spice lattes at home, using one ingredient that has it all: Bonne Maman Pumpkin Spice Spread.
Most recipes I’ve come across for mimicking the famous fall drink involve making a syrup from scratch, or creating your own pumpkin purée paste. There’s nothing wrong with those, but my cravings are lazy. Stirring a spoonful of pumpkin spread into my espresso is pretty much as easy as it gets.
How to make an easy pumpkin spice latte
The only thing you have to do is make sure the pumpkin spread dissolves in hot liquid, either hot espresso, or hot milk. If you want to make an iced drink, dissolve the spread in a small amount of hot water, to loosen it up before adding the cold ingredients.
Dissolve the pumpkin spread
For an eight-ounce latte, add one tablespoon of the Bonne Maman spread to the cup. Pull a two-ounce shot of espresso directly into the cup, or pull it separately, then pour it in. I have a Nespresso (coffee snobs are allowed to enjoy Nespresso), so I threw in a lungo capsule, and it dribbled directly into my coffee cup. Use a spoon, fork, mini-whisk, or milk frother to dissolve the pumpkin spice spread.
Add the milk
Heat up and foam your milk of choice. I poured 3/4 cup of almond milk into a mug and popped it into the microwave for 30 seconds, until steaming. Again, I have lazy cravings. If you have a steam nozzle, by all means, use that. Use a milk frother to add some bubbles, and pour the milk over the pumpkin spiced espresso in your cup. Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice, and enjoy.
I found it in ShopRite, but if you can’t find Bonne Maman’s pumpkin spread, try any of these:
Just one tablespoon is enough to match the sweetness and spice level of the Starbucks’ drink, but if you prefer your drink to be extra sweet, or a little less powerful than the real thing, adjust your measurement accordingly. I enjoy the flavor of Bonne Maman, but there are a lot of other brands out there with similar concoctions, like the ones listed above. Similar products are called “pumpkin butter.” Regardless of the name, you’re looking for a semi-translucent, jam-like spread that isn’t actually butter or margarine. A single jar probably has 10 to 12 tablespoons in it, so it looks like you have many PSLs in your future.