Mmmm....Pumpkin Lattes

I'm not one of those crazy pumpkin people.  You know who they are, the people that count-down to Starbucks' annual release of the coveted pumpkin pie lattes each year.  The people that pay a little more for everything pumpkin flavored because I mean really, who could turn down trader joes O's - pumpkin flavored of course.  Since when did everything from Sept - Dec need to be pumpkin flavored? No, I'm not one of those crazies but I'm fascinated by them.

I've never actually had a Starbucks' pumpkin latte, but I heart they're tasty.  I also hear they're full of "natural and artificial flavorings" and there's really nothing pumpkin related within the syrup bottle.   I wondered what a true pumpkin spice latte would taste like.  After trying one at a local coffee shop which offered homemade pumpkin syrup, I figured it couldn't be that hard to make my own.

Oh, it wasn't hard at all.  And super delicious.
Lucky for my co-workers, it's now DIY pumpkin lattes at work because this recipe makes a full bottle of sauce.

Pumpkin Pie Latte Syrup

• 1/3 cup pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)
  
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally to keep syrup from burning.
2. Let mixture cook together until it becomes syrup-y and begins to coat the spoon (for about 10-15 minutes), then remove from heat.
3. Refrigerate in a heat-proof container. The syrup will thicken a bit in the refrigerator, but will become syrup-y again when heated.
4. To make into a coffee drink, you can add equal parts of this syrup to dairy of your choice in the bottom of a mug and then add hot/cold coffee for enjoyment.

 Recipe from: http://domesticatedacademic.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/homemade-pumpkin-spice-latte-syrup/


~thanks for looking through my kitchen window~