Just in case you aren’t feeling the spirit of autumn yet here’s one more reason to get you in the mood. Eve
ry year there’s lots of talk about Starbuck’s famed “Pumpkin Spice Latte,” but why leave the kids out of all the fun? I don’t know about you, but my children have not graduated to lattes quite yet, which is why I came up with this “Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate” drink for them instead. And since it has cocoa in it you can easily add a shot of espresso to turn it into an adult “Pumpkin Spice Mocha” (or Latte) as well…which means there is something for everyone. Enjoy!
Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa (or Mocha or Latte)
Just in case you aren’t feeling the spirit of autumn yet here’s one more reason to get you in the mood. Every year there’s lots of talk about Starbuck’s famed “Pumpkin Spice Latte,” but why leave the kids out of all the fun? I don’t know about you, but my children have not graduated to lattes quite yet, which is why I came up with this "Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate" drink for them instead.
Ingredients
Hot Cocoa Version:
- 1 teaspoon honey, or maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, found in baking aisle of most stores
- 3/4 cup milk, warmed
- 1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder, or cacao (I personally love Hershey's Special Dark, which can be found at most stores)
- whipped cream, optional (see link below for recipe)
Instructions
- Mix together the honey, spice, and cacao or cocoa (if using).
- Add hot milk (and espresso if using).
- Top with optional homemade whipped cream and a dash of pumpkin spice or cinnamon,we prefer fresh. Serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
Nutrition Facts
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I just made this using the latte recipe with maple syrup. It is an amazing recipe!! So yummy on a blustery Fall morning. Thank you for sharing this Lisa. :)
I put a little pureed pumpkin in mine too to boost the goodness.
Can you imagine, t’latte style? I can ;-P
O M freaking G!
I made this in my “pod” machine by mixing ground coffee w/ the cocoa and the spices (didn’t have PP spice per se so made my own w/ cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom), then loaded it into my DIY pod and pressed “GO!” I nuked the milk while the coffee brewed, and skipped the sweetener (learned from a barista that heating milk to 180’F caramelizes the milk sugars so it tastes sweeter & I can skip a LOT of the sugar).
LOVING this! It’s never really fall this far South but I can pretend!
I subscribe to Consumer Labs and they tested cocoa powders and dark chocolates and found high levels of lead and cadmium in many of them, including Hersheys Dark Cocoa. I stopped using it as a result and have switched to Bakers unsweetened chocolate bars which had the highest level of flavonoids and no lead or cadmium. I thought you might be interested in this information. I don’t think anyone wants to be exposing themselves or their families to lead and cadmium. It is very disappointing that so many of the chocolates and cocoa powders have lead and cadmium and are allowed to remain on the market. Consumer Labs is an independent lab that tests supplements and products that aren’t FDA regulated.