Now that we’ve all changed our clocks back in an effort to conserve daylight for the winter months (except the lucky folks in AZ & HI), I find myself driving to and from work in the dark. I live in the North near the Canadian border where the sun rises at 7 am and sets at just before 4 pm. Getting that much needed vitamin D can be incredibly tricky when you’re sitting in an office or at school all day.
When you think of vitamin D, you probably picture a day lounging at the beach. And while it’s true that our bodies do make the important nutrient while basking in those controversial rays, it might not be enough for our children’s budding bodies. So how else can our children get enough vitamin D (without risking a major sunburn)? With milk, of course! Fortified with vitamin D, milk is delicious, nutritious, and the ideal drink for kids of all ages—and grown-ups too!
One of my favorite ways to incorporate milk during the winter months is making a DIY Pumpkin Spice latte. I even make them for my kids without the coffee, of course. This Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe is quick, easy and packed with vitamin D and real pumpkin deliciousness.
DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte
Yield 2 servings
The easiest recipe ever for a make-at-home Pumpkin Spice Latte that uses real pumpkin, not imitation flavored syrup.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk (any % you choose)
- 4 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 cup strong coffee or espresso
- canned whipped cream
Instructions
Add the milk, pumpkin, sugar, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice to a small sauce pan over medium-high heat. Bring almost to a boil, stirring constantly - if you allow it to boil it will get thick (yuck). Whisk the mixture until it starts to froth, about 1 minute. Divide milk mixture between two mugs. Add the coffee slowly down the side so you don’t disturb the milk froth, add a squirt of whipped cream and a pinch more of the pumpkin pie spice and enjoy.
Notes
NOTE: Keep a spoon on hand, because of the thick nature of pumpkin puree, you will want to stir the latte occasionally to keep it from getting thick at the bottom of your mug. Another Note: To get a good thick froth, you can add COLD pumpkin mixture to a large glass mason jar. Cap and shake vigorously. When you have a good froth, REMOVE CAP and microwave the milk mixture to desired temperature. Never leave the cap on and do not shake a capped jar with hot liquid or you will get injured
More Pumpkin Deliciousness
It would be nice to be able to find the recipe. Looked at the page a dozen times. Cannot see any recipe. Just pictures and dairy advertising.
Whenever I head north to visit my parents, I’m always jolted back into the reality of the shorter days. Even that extra hour makes a difference! This latte is just the thing I need right now to warm me up.