Pumpkin Spice Latte

You know how Summer is always so super busy, and so we look forward to Fall for a bit of a break? A chance to enjoy the crisp weather, the beautiful colours of the falling leaves, warm spiced drinks (hello pumpkin spice lattes!), and tasty home-made dinners and desserts.

That hasn’t happened yet.

Somehow Fall seems to have taken this as a challenge, and upped the ante on 'busy'.

This is two batches worth of syrup :)

Oh man! I cant keep up! I just realized yesterday that this poor little blog of mine has been suffering from a bit of neglect. But never fear, I have been cooking and baking up a storm in my kitchen!  

While Fall is speeding by, I am hoping to get a chance to try some of these amazing pumpkin recipes that I keep finding online and in my inbox.  There is sweet, savoury, and everything in between.  I think we can safely proclaim Fall 2011 the season of pumpkin!

So here is my first pumpkin recipe of the season.  It is a simple and tasty latte.  Oh how I love my latte’s.

The recipes for the syrup and latte are from Sugarcrafter.net and it is completely addicting.  Not only can I have a pumpkin spice latte whenever the mood strikes (ie all the time), but it doesn’t cost me $5 a fix!

I have some fun ideas to incorporate this delicious spiced pumpkin syrup into other desserts, so hopefully I will have time to whip some up before the snow flies. Even if I don’t, as far as I’m concerned it is always an appropriate time for baking with pumpkin!

Pumpkin Spice Syrup

• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tbsp pumpkin puree
• 1 - 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp cloves

1. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine all ingredients
2. Lightly simmer while stirring often (note: do not bring it to a boil)
3. Remove from heat after 10 minutes and let cool
4. When lukewarm, pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove the solids
5. To store, place in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator

Pumpkin Spice Latte

• 2 cups milk
• 1 tsp instant expresso powder
• 100 mL hot water
• 2 tbsp pumpkin spice syrup

1. In a small saucepan heat the milk until hot (but not to a rolling boil)
2. While the milk is heating, mix together the instant expresso powder with the hot water in your cup. If you want a stronger coffee flavour feel free to add more of the instant expresso powder
3. Add the pumpkin spice syrup to the expresso and give it a quick stir
4. Pour the hot milk into the cup
5. Froth any remaining milk in your milk frother (is there another name for this contraption?) and pour it on top
6. Sprinkle with some cinnamon, and enjoy!

Toasted Marshmallow Milkshakes

These milkshakes are the equivalent of shoving a summer night around the campfire with friends into a glass to be enjoyed anytime.  


We found this recipe from Joy (of the insanely wonderful site: joythebaker.com) and we were hooked before we had even taken our first sip! These milkshakes are perfect in every way.  They are fantastic for those rare warm summer nights or (more often) when you want to try and convince yourself it is still summer out there.


This recipe makes two medium-ish milkshakes. Feel free to double it up and share with friends!


Tip: bubble tea straws are perfect for thick milkshakes!


Toasted Marshmallow Milkshakes

• 12 marshmallows
• 3 heaping scoops of vanilla bean ice cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread out the marshmallows on it
2. Place the baking sheet in the oven on a middle rack and turn on your broiler
3. Carefully watch the marshmallows, and remove them when they are a beautiful golden brown
4. In a blender, add the ice cream, milk, vanilla, and 10 marshmallows
5. Blend until creamy smooth
6. Pour into two tall glasses, and top each with a remaining marshmallow
7. Enjoy!

Chai Latte at Home

It may be due to our ridiculously cold weather and the fact that I am beyond sick of being chilly, but I have been hooked on chai latte's lately! The warm spices along with the creaminess of steamed milk make them perfect for winter.

As soon as I saw this insanely cute contraption that allows to you froth your milk by hand, I knew I would start making these warm and delicious drinks at home (the fact that it is covered in cute cows helped too).


I have no idea if this is the proper way to make chai latte's, but it worked for me! First you boil your water, and place your chai tea bag in your coffee cup. Once your water is boiling, pour some into the cup over the tea bag and allow it to steep for a few minutes.

While the tea is steeping, fill up your milk frother about 1/3 of the way with milk and place the container (minus the metal parts!) into your microwave.  Zap the milk until it is hot, and then attach the rest of the pieces. 

Take out any underlying aggression on the steaming milk until it has more than doubled in size.


When your tea is as dark as you like, pour in some milk until the cup is full while holding back the foam.  Dollop some dreamy foam on top of your warm drink, and top with cinnamon if you are feeling fancy.

This is fabulous beverage for chilly days, to enjoy with dessert, or to drink as you are curled up on the couch with a good book!

Enjoy!