I don’t know about you, but somehow Starbucks has weaseled it’s way into my routine. Again. I’d kicked the habit for a while… then Autumn rolled around with it’s heavenly spices and a host of pumpkin based confections. I ask you, who could resist? I certainly couldn’t.
Until, that is, I went through my purse and discovered the small pile of Starbucks receipts that had been slowly collecting since the beginning of the semester. Egad! Did I really spend that much on coffee? Something had to be done, and that’s when I decided to do a bit of recreating in my kitchen.
My targets: the pumpkin spice latte and the pumpkin loaf bread, the latter of which I ended up turning into some delicious pumpkin muffins. I’m actually quite pleased with the results - both my homemade latte and the muffins were a hit not only with my tastebuds, but with my husband’s as well. Score! Add these to my growing arsenal of secret weapons (all used most responsibly in the fight against graduate school, sleep deprivation and many, many dusty books.)
And now my friends, I’m off to tackle one more chapter (and maybe a paper?) before heading to bed. Happy baking and coffee making!
Pumpkin Spice Muffins (with and without brown sugar topping)
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Ingredients: Makes 15 medium sized muffins
- 1 3/4 cups pumpkin puree
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2/3 cups vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
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For the topping (optional):
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter at room temperature
Cookware: muffin pan
Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar and spices.
In a medium bowl combine the pumpkin puree, oil and eggs with a hand held mixer. Add to the dry ingredients and mix well, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a spoon frequently. Spoon into buttered muffin pan, filling each muffin mold a little over halfway.
If you are making the topping: combine the flour, sugar and cinnamon, then cut in the butter with a fork or knife. Stir until the mixture begins to look like breadcrumbs, then sprinkle on top of the muffin batter already in the pan.
Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before digging in. :yum:
Note: Muffins based on an AllRecipes.com recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Latte (My Recipe)
Another, slightly more decadent version of this drink can be found here.
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Ingredients: Makes 2 servings
- 1 1/2 level tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1 1/2 cups low-fat milk
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon (+ a pinch for sprinkling later)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups strong coffee (brewed using 2 tbs per 1 cup of water)
- 2 tablespoons Coffeemate creamer
- 4 to 8 teaspoons of granulated sugar
- Nutmeg (optional)
Begin brewing coffee.
In a blender combine the milk, pumpkin, 1/4 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp vanilla. Pour into a small saucepan and cook over low heat until the milk begins to froth slightly. Remove from heat.
For each serving: Pour 1/2 cup of the pumpkin mixture into your coffee mug. Add 1 generous tablespoon of Coffeemate creamer. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, then add 1 cup of brewed coffee. Add 2 to 4 teaspoons of sugar (depending on how sweet you like your drink, I added 3 tsps.) Top off with a touch more ‘pumpkin milk’ then sprinkle with cinnamon or nutmeg. Serve immediately.
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This entry was posted on Monday, October 2nd, 2006 by Ariela and is filed under Breakfast, Coffee, Drinks, Muffins, My Recipes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
27 Responses for "Pumpkin Spice Latte & Pumpkin Muffins"
Think we will try this one in a few weeks when pumpkin carving comes around. Starbucks is good but you sure can spend a fortune on a couple of cups a day. Hence my husband has learned to make a great cappucino.
Wow, sounds like a pumpkin feast. I’ve seen the newly introduced pumpkin latte at Starbucks recently, but have yet to try them. Think I’m gonna give the muffin a try. =)
Btw, thxs for visiting my site. =) You’ve a beautiful layout.
Oooh! pumpkin muffins - just in time for fall! They look healthier and way more budget-friendly than the ones at Starbucks. Looking forward to trying your recipe out. Thanks for sharing.
Kickin’ a Starbucks habit is really rough…especially when it is the $$ drinks
Yum Yum- I love pumpkin anything. I’m so glad you posted this. I’ve been on a yellow veggie kick lately trying to add more squash, pumpkin and sweet potatoes to my meals. Wow, you’re going to love having the extra change in your purse.
What a great idea! Homemade is definitely the way to go.
I am in the minority in that I never drink coffee, just tea ,so Starbucks doesn’t get much of my business but I love pumpkin bread type desserts and will definitely give yours a try!
Ooh, pumpkin! You’ve reminded me that I’m supposed to give the cream cheese filled pumpkin muffins from said evil green logo store a go in the kitchen this autumn. I have a girlfriend that works at said store, so I get the family discount which makes it slightly less painful.
Hmm…wonder if there’s any way to replicate a white peppermint mocha at home?
My co-workers are obsessed with the Pumpkin Lattes. It’s the only kind they’ll buy! And with all this pumpkin talk … I’ve got to make some pumpking cheesecake or something.
I have never been a major fan of Starbucks, but when in the US recently, found that the coffee was not the same as it is here in New Zealand and resorted to Starbucks Tall Mocha Latte w whipped cream - lucky I was only in the US for 10 days!
The idea of a pumpkin latte is interesting! I have not seen them here but will be asking my significant other (now living in NY) to try one on my behalf!
MMMM!!! I’ve been craving something like this. This recipe is surely to hit the spot!
OMG You’re back!!! That is fabulous! You’ve been missed! Glad I checked
Oh, Ari!
I know how you feel! I’ve been sucked into the same Starbucks vortex. Those pumpkin muffins especially get me! I love your version of them!
Ari I made these today and they were AMAZING! I think they were even better than the stuff I get at Starbucks (and no need to feel so guilty eating them either!)
Thanks for sharing!
This is my first time visiting but I really like your blog. I’ve never heard of pumpkin muffins but they sound DEVINE.
That Pumpkin Latte recipe looks pretty ingenious! I am going to give it a try this weekend.
http://culinarytypes.blogspot.com
I’m going to chime in here and also thank you for these wonderful recipes. I made both this afternoon and really enjoyed both while reading a new book! :love:
Hi Ariela! Thanks for your visit. The blog is young but already promising! I’ll come back browsing again your lovely recipes!
ciao
Don’t you love this time of year? pumpkin-ey, squashiness everywhere.
Did you hear Starbucks has goal to expand to 40,000 locations worldwide? Apparently the 12,000 they have right now aren’t enough. Where on earth are they going to fit them?
Kerri, yes I LOVE this time of year. And 40,000 locations? I guess that would translate to a Starbucks on every block of NYC instead of every other block.
Jenn, Naomi - I’m glad you enjoyed the recipes!
Oh my…I love your site! We must be clones…LOL…except you’re the younger one! I agree re Starbucks — when I added up all the receipts one month, I could have made my house payment. So….I’ve relegated Starbucks to the “special treat” category. I always love their pumpkin muffin tops. Yum!
Wasn’t the snake charmer a hoot? For graduation, give yourself a trip to Barcelona — I know you would love it. Thanks for visiting me, and stop by again. I’ve been too busy to cook lately, but keep trying. How do you find the time??
i know i know. the siren call of the starbucks pumpkin-based products is strong. one of the reasons fall is my favorite season may be because of the drink selection at the ‘bucks. [no, i don’t really call it that] but have you tried the maple flavored stuff? i’m hesitant.
oh, and we bought a coffee maker with fancy creamers to put in the graduate student office so we’d all stop spending so much money. it’s helped a little
Visited your blog the for the first time the other day and put your pumpkin muffins on my “must try” list. I too have been caught in the Starbucks trap - going to Barnes and Noble 1-2 times a week for writing group or meeting with friends makes it dangerous. I tried a batch of the muffins tonight and they are heavenly! I added pecans because I bought them at the store, thinking you had used them, and figured “why not” anyways when I got home. They make a good pair, I must say.
I will definitely be a return visitor, and thank you for the lovely treat.
You are most welcome April-Lyn and thank you for letting me know you liked the recipe!
Delicious muffins! Thanks for the recipe!
OMG! I just had the Pumpkin Spice Latte today from Starbucks and am HOOKED!! I can’t wait to try your recipes though, to see if I can save a few bucks, but I have a feeling I will still be treating myself to SB ever now and then. Oh sweet spicy evilness!