Pumpkin Spice Latte Shake

I know. I do! You’re addicted to that famous coffee shop’s Pumpkin Spice Latte. You wait all summer long for the day they bring it back, and you’re sad when they retire it for the season. It’s so simple to make your own at home--and cheaper! This new version I came up with puts a spin on the Pumpkin Latte. I added premium coffee ice cream along with cold brewed coffee to make a cool, refreshing, ice creamy-smooth shake!

I can’t believe that it was already three years ago that I wrote a post on Pumpkin Pie Latte! That one is a recipe that New England Coffee had in their newsletter. It’s fantastic! If you like Morning Glory Muffins, you may want to have a look at the Pumpkin Morning Glory Muffins that I made on that same day. I took the classic MGM recipe and cut the fat in half by using pumpkin. I also cut out some of the sugar and added some white whole wheat flour. So go ahead and indulge!

Even though it’s getting somewhat cooler here in New England, we still have some warm days left--as I’m sure a lot of you do, as well. This fall inspired shake will cover you for those warm days and take you right into the cooler ones.

Now, I have to tell you…the famous coffee shop uses “pumpkin flavored syrup.” It’s true, they do. Go look. I’ll be the first one to say that when I want a sweet fun coffee drink, I don’t usually think twice about indulging occasionally. But I figure, even though I added some ice cream to this, it’s made from all natural ingredients--see my note and link below the recipe. Who knows what’s in that syrup?

These shakes that I made have 1 1/4 cup of real pumpkin in them. Pumpkin is good for you, too!

• Pumpkin is very high in carotenoids, which not only give them their orange color, but they’re very good at neutralizing free radicals, which are molecules that attack cell membranes, leaving them damaged.
• Pumpkins are high in lutein and zeaxanthin, which fight free radicals in the lens of the eye. This could potentially prevent the formation of cataracts.
• Pumpkins are loaded with Vitamin A, very low in calories, have zero fat and cholesterol, are low in carbs, and also have Vitamin C, Calcium, and Potassium.
• Pumpkin puree is an excellent fat replacement in baking. Check out those muffins I linked to above if you don’t believe me.

Pumpkin Spice Latte Shake

Makes 5 cups, so--serves 2 (16 oz) glasses,
with a little left over--for the chef?

Pumpkin Pie Spice:

1 tbsp cinnamon
2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp Chinese Five Spice
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cardamom

Mix all spices together in a small jar. Store in a cool, dry place.

Pumpkin Spice Latte Shake:

1 1/2 cups cold brewed coffee
1 1/4 cup plain pumpkin puree
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups coffee ice cream 
1 cup ice cubes
3 tbsp agave or honey

Add all of the shake ingredients to the blender and blend for about 2 minutes. Pour into glasses and garnish with a little pumpkin pie spice, and maybe even some whipped cream if you like. Serve immediately!

• The amounts here can vary for the pumpkin pie spice, as well as in the shake. If you don't have the Chine Five Spice or the Cardamom, try using Allspice. I just happened to be out of that one. Just be careful with the cloves, nutmeg, and cardamom. Too much of those, and they can be overwhelming.
• Same with the shake. Want more spice? Go for it! More sweetener, or no sweetener at all? It's up to you. I like my latte drinks to be sweetened.
• Use your favorite coffee or espresso in this recipe. I happen to use Trader Joe’s Decaf. It’s the best tasting decaf I’ve found.
• For the ice cream, I like to use Haagen Dazs. Ingredients? Cream, Skim Milk, Sugar, Egg Yolks, Coffee. That’s it. No chemicals or fillers--just the good stuff you’d use at home! They also have a coffee frozen yogurt if you prefer that!