Easy Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte (Slow Cooker or Stovetop)

There’s something about a pumpkin spice latte that makes a chilly fall morning feel a little more special.

This easy homemade pumpkin spice latte combines strong coffee, milk, real pumpkin puree and warm fall spices for a cozy, comforting drink that’s lighter on calories and easy on the budget.

You can make it in the slow cooker for a relaxed weekend breakfast or brunch, or warm it on the stovetop when you don’t want to wait.

A Lighter Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home

There was a time when I treated myself to a Starbucks Grande Nonfat Pumpkin Spice Latte almost every day from October through the new year.

And then wondered why my clothes felt so tight come January!

I was completely oblivious to how quickly the calories from those little daily indulgences could add up. Somehow, ordering it with nonfat milk made it seem like a perfectly innocent treat.

Eventually, I discovered that I could make a delicious pumpkin spice latte at home for a fraction of the cost and calories.

I first made this recipe for a special Saturday morning breakfast, adapting it from Fix-It and Forget-It New Cookbook by Phyllis Good.

I made a half batch in my little 1½-quart slow cooker, using powdered nonfat milk because that’s what I had on hand. It turned out beautifully, and I’ve been making variations ever since.

Why I Love This Recipe

• Made with real pumpkin. Just a little pumpkin puree adds flavor, color and richness.
• Easy to adjust. Make it sweeter, less sweet, stronger or milder to suit your taste.
• Two simple methods. Use the slow cooker for a leisurely morning or the stovetop when you’re short on time.
• Budget-friendly. A homemade latte costs considerably less than a daily coffee shop habit.
• WW-friendly. Made with nonfat milk and a modest amount of sugar, it’s a lighter way to enjoy a seasonal favorite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Nonfat milk – Regular or reconstituted powdered milk both work. You can also use 1% or 2% milk if you prefer.
• Strong brewed coffee – Regular or decaf. Make it a little stronger than usual so the coffee flavor comes through.
• Pumpkin puree – Use plain canned pumpkin, not sweetened pumpkin pie filling.
• Granulated sugar – Adds sweetness. Adjust to your taste.
• Brown sugar – Adds a little caramel-like flavor.
• Vanilla extract – Rounds out the flavors.
• Ground cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger – The warm spices that give this latte its classic fall flavor.

Easy shortcut: Use pumpkin pie spice in place of the individual spices.How to Make Pumpkin Spice Latte in the Slow Cooker

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Latte in the Slow Cooker

This is my favorite method when I’m making several servings and want to keep things simple.

1. Lightly whisk together the milk, brewed coffee, pumpkin puree, sugars, vanilla and spices in a 1½-quart or larger slow cooker.
2. Cover and cook on LOW for about 2 hours, or until steaming hot.
3. Whisk again just before serving. The pumpkin and spices tend to settle toward the bottom.
4. Ladle into mugs and top with a little whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired.

Tip: Keep the latte warm rather than letting it simmer for hours. Milk tastes best when heated gently.

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Latte on the Stovetop

The stovetop method is perfect when you want your pumpkin spice latte without planning ahead.

1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, brewed coffee, pumpkin puree, sugars, vanilla and spices.
2. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring or whisking frequently, for about 5 to 10 minutes, until hot and steaming.
3. Do not let the mixture come to a boil.
4. Whisk well once more, then pour into mugs.
5. Add a little whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon, if desired.

For a frothier latte: Use a handheld milk frother or carefully blend the hot mixture with an immersion blender (affiliate link) before serving.

Easy Variations and Substitutions

• Make it less sweet. Start with half the sugar and add more to taste. You may find you don’t need as much sweetness as you once did.
• Use your favorite sweetener. Replace some or all of the sugar with a preferred sugar substitute, following the manufacturer’s conversion guidelines.
• Try different milk. Nonfat milk keeps the original recipe lighter, but 1%, 2%, or unsweetened almond milk can also work. Calories and WW Points will vary.
• Make it caffeine-free. Use decaf coffee for an afternoon or evening treat.
• Use homemade pumpkin puree. If you have some on hand, my homemade pressure cooker pumpkin puree works nicely in place of canned pumpkin.
• Make a smaller batch. Cut the ingredients in half for one generous 12-ounce latte. The stovetop method is especially convenient when making a single serving.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

This pumpkin spice latte is best enjoyed freshly made, but leftovers can be refrigerated in a covered container for up to 3 to 4 days.

The pumpkin and spices will settle as the mixture sits, so give it a good shake or whisk before reheating.

Warm gently in a saucepan or microwave (affiliate link) until steaming hot.

You can also enjoy it chilled over ice if you prefer an iced pumpkin spice latte.

Whether you make it in the slow cooker or on the stovetop, this is a simple way to enjoy one of fall’s little pleasures without making a daily trip to the coffee shop.

And sometimes that’s all it takes to make an ordinary morning feel special.

How Many Calories and WW Points?

Each one cup serving of this skinny slow cooker pumpkin spice latte (without whipped cream) has only 90 calories.
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.)
2 PointsPlus (Old plan)

If you’ve made this Starbuck’s Copycat Pumpkin Spice Latte, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

Source: Slightly adapted from Fix-It and Forget-It New Cookbook: 250 New Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes (affiliate link) by Phyllis Good

More Cozy Fall Drinks to Try

If you enjoy this homemade pumpkin spice latte, here are a few more warm and comforting drinks from Simple Nourished Living:

• Slow Cooker Hot Spiced Cider
• Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider
• Skinny Crock Pot Spiced Mocha
• Caramel Crock Pot Hot Cocoa
• Slim and Healthy Pumpkin Drinks, Smoothies, Lattes and More