Monday, September 24, 2012

Pumpkin Spice Frenzy

By: Mallory Jordan, Moderately Crafty

Fall has begun and the pumpkin spice flavors have arrived. Starbucks is known for having a pumpkin spice line every fall, but now the coffee shop might have a competitor.

Dunkin' Donuts has introduced their own pumpkin spice line including pumpkin lattes and pumpkin muffins. Although many people are already hooked on the Starbucks pumpkin line, Dunkin' Donuts seems to have started off with more ideas and more product.

Einstein Bros. have pumpkin cream cheese, pumpkin bagels and pumpkin muffins as well, which would affect Dunkin' more than Starbucks. I suspect many will flock to Starbucks for the traditional pumpkin spice latte that coffee lovers are so accustomed to now. But, since Starbucks only has the pumpkin cream cheese muffin and scones, the extensive pumpkin food line at Dunkin' and Einstein could cause some customer trade offs.

Could this turn into a pumpkin war? Or will Starbucks junkies and Dunkin' lovers stay true.

If it is just too difficult to decide, there is a solution to this pumpkin battle problem: make your own pumpkin spice latte!

Note: This is gluten and vegan safe, so anyone can enjoy the comfort of a pumpkin latte. And, it serves two so you can share!

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You will need:

Coffee
1 c milk (almond milk or half and half work well too)
2 tbsp pumpkin puree (aka pure pumpkin in a can
2 tsp brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp sugar at the end
Optional: pinch of other spices such as nutmeg or cinnamon to add to taste

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First, start brewing your regular or decaf coffee. Make it a little stronger for this recipe than usual.


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Combine all of the ingredients besides the regular sugar in a bowl and mix. Using a blender would give the best results because you will want to whisk well. Not all of the spices will dissolve, though.

The mixture will look pale and slightly milky. You can add more spices (nutmeg and cinnamon) to taste. Other recipes include those spices, but I prefer the recipe without.

Once it is whisked or blended well, pop the mixture in the microwave for one minute.


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Split the pumpkin spice ingredients in the bowl between the two mugs, then pour in the coffee. Add in 2 teaspoons of sugar to bring out the flavor.

Again, to keep it to taste for people who enjoy coffee more, add more coffee and put in less of the pumpkin spice mixture and you can save some of that mixture for later.

Feel free to add any kind of whipped topping and sprinkle some pumpkin spice or nutmeg on top of that to make it just like Starbucks or Dunkin'.

Now you have delicious, homemade pumpkin spice lattes without ever having to go out into the cold!

To quote Kim Bhasin from Business Insider, "That's a lot of pumpkin."


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