Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

I absolutely love the changing colors of the leaves on the trees in our town. The crisp evenings and cool mornings are ushering in the feelings of Fall-even though we had such a LOOONG Indian Summer. Brewing up a cup of coffee or tea for sipping along with a warm Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie makes a chilly afternoon or a cold night so much warmer. (Click the link to get the recipe and try the gluten free style or the original recipe) I absolutely LOVE pumpkin spice lattes but the ones you buy at the coffee shops are full of sugar and other ingredients that are not very healthy. So I decided to experiment with making one at home.

 

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

My first try I used
1 cup of my normal delicious House Blend Peet’s coffee
1/3 cup of hot and frothy almond milk
1/4 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon of honey
I brew my coffee in a French Press and froth my almond milk with a battery operated whip. Combine all ingredients and enjoy.

My next try I bought some Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spiced coffee grounds and brewed up a cup and added ⅓ cup of hot and frothy almond milk and a dash of cinnamon.

My third try was an idea inspired by Bekah who was brewing up a cup of Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice Rooibos herbal blend tea. I took one Starbucks Via instant coffee and poured 8 ounces of boiling hot water into my cup and placed one tea bag in my cup as well. After about 5 minutes, I removed the tea bag, added 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice and 1/3 cup hot almond milk. Yummy, the best by far.

Today was the ultimate….
Take 1 cup of your very favorite strong coffee and heat in the microwave until it is VERY HOT!!
Add one Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice Rooibos herbal blend tea bag and let steep for 5 minutes.
Heat ⅓ cup of almond coconut milk and froth with whip. Stir in almond coconut milk, ½ teaspoon honey or agave and ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. DELICIOUS!!!

Bake up a batch of Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, (try the gluten free option) and invite a friend over for some fun Fall fellowship.

What special drink do you like to sip on with some homemade cookies when the weather gets chilly?