Spiced Pumpkin Maple Latte

 This was a very pumpkiny recipe and definitely appreciated at the beginning of the autumn season. Be warned, it requires an additional 30ish minutes to make the pumpkin butter. I only made half of the pumpkin butter recipe because I didn't want four cups on hand. It is from Half Baked Harvest.

Spiced Pumpkin Maple Latte

Servings: 2

Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

    1 1/2 cups of your favorite full fat milk (coconut milk is my favorite)

    1/4 cup spiced pumpkin butter, homemade or store-bought

    1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

    1/3-1/2 cup brewed black coffee

    cinnamon, for serving

MAPLE CREAM

    1/2 cup heavy whipping cream or coconut cream

    1 tablespoon real maple syrup

Steps:

1. Combine the milk, pumpkin butter, and vanilla in a medium pot and bring to a simmer, heating the mixture until it is steaming. When the mixture is steaming hot, remove it from the heat. Using a small whisk or a fork, whisk until frothy.
2. Pour the hot coffee between 2 mugs and then pour over the frothed pumpkin milk. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon...or cinnamon sugar. 
3. MAPLE CREAM - using an electric mixer, whip the cream until soft peaks form. Add the maple syrup and whip once more until combined and fluffy.

Spiced Pumpkin Butter

Makes: 4 cups

Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

    2 cans (15 ounce) pumpkin puree

    1/3 cup apple cider

    1/2 cup real maple syrup, plus more if needed to sweeten

    1 tablespoon vanilla extract

    1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

    1 teaspoon cinnamon

    1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Steps:

1. In a medium sauce pan, combine the pumpkin, cider, maple syrup, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and salt. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring often until the pumpkin thickens slightly, but is spreadable, about 20-30 minutes. Taste, adding more maple syrup if needed to sweeten.
2. Remove from the heat and let cool (the pumpkin butter will thicken as it cools). Transfer to glass jars and keep stored in the fridge for up to 1 month or in freezer safe containers for up to 3 months. 

DRINK