I know the official start of Fall is quite a-ways away, but it is my favorite season and I have a tendency to start celebrating it early! Growing up in Florida we celebrated fall “early” in November…but since moving to California and then to Indiana, I have found a whole new appreciation for the season. I just love the cool, crisp air; the colorful leaves; bundling up in sweaters; harvesting apples; and having a fire in the fireplace every night. For some reason, Fall just brings life to my bones :-) I can’t get enough of it!
Anyway, I think you get the picture.
One of my favorite things about Fall is….PUMPKIN SPICE LATTES at Starbucks!!! *Can I get an AMEN?!* Unfortunately, it’s not really in our budget to get Pumpkin Spice Lattes every day of Fall – though I definitely would if I could. Lucky for me {and you} lovely Becky over at The Java Mama has posted recipes for some of the yummiest Starbucks holiday drink recipes! They seriously help with the budget, but I also wanted to {lighten} ’em up a bit for those of us who are calorie-conscious. Here’s how you can make your very own {Light} Pumpkin Spice Latte…with a cost & nutrition break-down at the bottom of the page.
Here’s what you’ll need for 1 Latte {double or triple when you’re having company} :
1 c. Unsweetened Silk Soy Milk
2 Tbsp. Agave in the Raw
1 Tbsp. Canned Pumpkin {not pumpkin pie filling}
1/4 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 Tbsp. Vanilla Extract
Folgers Black Silk K-Cup
{you can also substitute these ingredients: regular milk, granulated sugar, and any coffee of your choosing}
Start off by stirring your milk, sweetener, and pumpkin in a sauce pan over medium heat. Warm it to the point of steaming, but not boiling. Make sure the pumpkin is well-incorporated.
While your milk mixture is heating, brew a small cup of black silk in your Keurig. If you don’t have a single-cup coffee maker simply brew the smallest amount possible in your coffee pot. You want a strong, dark cup of coffee to mix with the milk.
The original recipe calls for espresso, but I figured most people probably don’t have an espresso maker {like myself}. If you happen to be able to make espresso at home, simply substitute 1-2 shots for the coffee.
Doesn’t that look delicious? I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but I could make a cup of this every day just to have the aroma fill my house. I mean, isn’t the smell of coffee the reason people hang out at coffee shops?
Once your milk has warmed to steaming, remove it from the heat and add your pumpkin pie spice and vanilla extract. Whisk until frothy.
Add the frothed milk mixture to your cup and then pour in 1/2 c. of the brewed coffee. Top with pumpkin pie spice to make it pretty :-)
*If you’re a sucker for whipped cream, add a dollop to the top.
This drink is delicious, but I think the best part is the cost & calorie count per latte…
Cost Break-Down
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
* all prices are averages/estimates…depending on your location it might cost you a little more or less to make *
Silk Soy Milk – $.38
*Regular Milk – $.22
Pumpkin – $.06
Agave in the Raw – $.60
*white granulated sugar will probably cost around $.01
Vanilla Extract – $.05
Pumpkin Pie Spice – $.05
*this is an average, though I get mine in Amish country for less than $1 per bottle!
Folgers Black Silk – $.89
*brewing a regular cup of “good” coffee will cost approximately $.21
{As-Written} Total = $2.03
{Cost-Effective} Total = $.60
Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
Approximately $3.70 per grande drink {source}
Savings Per Homemade Latte: $1.67 – $3.10
Nutrition Break-Down {according to MyFitnessPal}
Homemade {light} Pumpkin Spice Latte
247 Calories
39 g. Carbs
4g. Fat
8 g. Protein
Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
380 Calories
51 g. Carbs
13 g. Fat
14 g. Protein
Calorie Difference – 133
If you have a *mild* Starbucks habit and buy a Pumpkin Spice Latte 2x per week for, say, all of Fall {12ish weeks} you’ll be spending $88.80! But, if you make your own Pumpkin Spice Lattes you would be spending between $14.40 & $48.72 in that same amount of time. {Not to mention, you’ll be consuming approximately 3,200 calories less} Sounds like a win-win to me!
I’ll definitely be making these a LOT this fall!
Linked To & Featured At:
I don’t have a keurig but I am definitely going to be making this using my coffee press. It sounds delicious!nThanks for linking up at Doodles & Stitches!
Let me know how it works out – I’d imagine it would be amazing!
This sounds so good. I love the Pumpkin lattes at Starbucks. I hope you have a fabulous weekend!
Blessings,
Nici
What a great way to save money and calories!
Thanks for sharing at Mealtime Monday!
Kaylee
http://www.couponingncooking.com
I’ve never had this at Starbucks! I’ve always done the caramel apple cider thing or whatever it is (I’m not a big starbucks person if you can’t tell) :) This sounds really good though! Thanks so much for sharing this at Mom’s Test Meal Mondays!
oh yummy! I love Fall too! and this is one drink flavor I definitly want to try this year!
You’re being featured tomorrow at Doodles & Stitches :)
Thanks!!! :-)
I can’t wait to try this! Tammy ~ http://www.yoursandmineareours.blogspot.com