How to Make Your Own Pumpkin Spiced Latte or Steamers

Love a good pumpkin spiced latte or steamer? We do too – especially our homemade pumpkin and spice lattes and steamers.

Also Read: Pumpkin Puree, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Spice Pudding, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars, Pumpkin Scones, Fruit Rollups and Orange Pumpkin Loaf.

Instead of spending a gazillion dollars and calories on brand name store versions, we make our own version that has actual pumpkin or squash puree and the most delicious pumpkin pie spice.

We’ve created a secret short cut so it’s easy to make one of these pumpkin and spice steamers anytime we want in three minutes or less.

Here’s our secret – frozen squash steamer cubes! Check this out…

What you see above is homemade convenience. We’ve frozen our amazing spiced puree in ice cube trays. One frozen cube makes one steamer or latte.

Since most ice cube trays have 20 cubes – one tray will get you 20 steamers or lattes. Boo yah!

What’s in Squash Steamer Cubes?

Unlike most retailers that sell pumpkin spice lattes – we’re actually adding pumpkin or squash puree to our lattes and steamers. We puree squash and put it through a strainer and then add brown sugar, milk or non-dairy alternative and pumpkin pie spice. That means more flavor and more nutrition. Yahoo for real food!

The puree is heated with the spices and a little sugar to really get that amazing flavor. If it’s a super thick puree, I add a little milk or non-dairy beverage to thin it out. I make sure the puree is super smooth, if it’s a little lumpy, I push it through a fine mesh strainer to take out any potential lumps. With the coffee and milk in your final drink, the puree adds a little thickness to the beverage, but doesn’t add weird texture. Trust me, I have teens. They would tell me if there was anything weird about it, and they make themselves steamers regularly.

What is a Pumpkin and Spice Steamer?

Basically, it is a hot cup of milk (dairy or non-dairy – your choice) infused with pumpkin puree and pie seasoning.

What is a Pumpkin and Spice Latte?

It’s a steamer with the addition of a shot of espresso or extra strong brewed coffee. 

With either the steamer or latte, you can get a little more fancy by frothing the milk, adding a dollop of freshly whipped cream or simply sprinkling with a little cinnamon on top.

Recipe for Homemade Pumpkin Spiced Latte or Steamers

Here’s a recipe for two lattes or steamers (no coffee). Double or quadruple if you’d like. Below the recipe is the step by step for how to make frozen steamer puree ice cubes

Premake a Big Batch of Spiced Puree

Start with your favorite squash puree. For this recipe I like kabocha, butternut, pie pumpkin, hubbard or banana squash. I like the drier texture and sweeter flavor of these types of squash. You can also use puree from a large field pumpkin, you will just need to strain off any extra liquid and maybe add a little bit more sweetener. 

And yes – you can use canned pumpkin – but not pumpkin pie filling.

Not sure how to make pumpkin or squash puree?  Check out this post on making homemade pumpkin puree.

How to Make Squash Steamer Ice Cubes

1. Wash squash. Cut in sections. Remove seeds.
2. Coat with oil, roast for 40 – 45 minutes at 375°F until soft and tender. Better to overcook than undercook for this recipe.
3. Let cool.
4. Scrape the flesh from the rind.
5. Use a blender, food processor or immersion blender to blend the pieces into the smoothest, silkiest puree you’ve ever seen. I’m talking super smooth!
6. If you think there are any lumps or bits – push your puree through a fine mesh strainer.
7. Once you have super fine puree, put it all in a pot on medium low heat.
8. Add sugar and pie spice. Here’s the ratio for each cup of puree:
   • 1 cup puree
     1/4 cup sugar (granulated or brown)
     4 tsp pie spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice)
     1/4 cup milk or non-dairy
9. Heat on low for 10 – 15 minutes stirring frequently.
10. Remove from heat and scrape into ice cube tray. Freeze overnight.
11. Remove frozen ice cube tray and place in freezer container. Seal tight and freeze for six months.
12. Here’s a suggested ratio:

Using Frozen Spiced Puree

EASY PEASY!

Pour one cup of your favorite dairy or non-dairy milk alternative into a mug.

Add one frozen cube of spiced puree to the mug.

Heat in microwave for up to 3 minutes in 1 minute intervals, stirring and checking for preferred temperature.

Enjoy!

Or add a shot of espresso to make it a latte.

I shared this idea and taste testers at a couple of workshops recently and everyone loved the steamers and the idea of having convenient cubes on hand. Just think how easy and impressive this will be when visitors pop by.

If you try this recipe, let me know how you enjoyed it and what type of squash or pumpkin you used. Oh and if you happen to be on Instagram, tag me @getgettys so I can see it and like it!

Sign up to get articles by Getty delivered to your inbox. You’ll get recipes, practical tips and great food information like this. Getty is a Professional Home Economist, speaker and writer putting good food on tables and agendas. She is the author of Manitoba’s best-selling Prairie Fruit Cookbook, Founder of Fruit Share, a mom and veggie gardener.