Pumpkin Spiced Latte

***This is an old post moved here from my old blog.***  

    It's that time of year again! You know what I'm talking about... PUMPKIN SEASON!!! ...er...um...uh... I mean... Autumn. Same thing though, right? I have to confess that it was only a couple of weeks ago that I tasted my very first "coffee house" Pumpkin Spiced Latte. YUM! I immediately went on a search for recipes to replicate this delicious Autumn-y goodness. I ended up finding a big bunch of similar recipes, read through all of them, then did what I frequently do- borrow from them and make up my own recipe. My first try was pretty close to most of the recipes I found. It was good, but lacked the WOW- factor. A lil' more pumpkin and a lil' sweetener were in store. I played around with the recipe over the next couple of evenings, then I came up with a hit!

Here it is:

Pumpkin Spiced Latte
Makes 2-3 servings

Ingredients:
1 cup very strong brewed coffee
1 1/2 cup milk
4 TB cooked pumpkin puree (I just used the canned stuff)
Generous 2 1/2 TB sugar or 4 packets Splenda (adjust, depending on how sweet you like it)
1 TB vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Optional: Whipped cream and ground cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Combine the milk, pumpkin and sugar or Splenda in a medium saucepan. Heat on medium heat until very hot and almost to a boil. DO NOT LET IT BOIL.
2. Remove from heat and add spice and vanilla. Use a whisk, hand mixer, or stick blender to whip up the milk. (I used my Cuisinart Hand Blender). Whip it up until it is nice and frothy.
3. Add the coffee to the milk mixture and divide into 2 large or 3 average-sized mugs. 
4. Top with whipped cream and cinnamon if desired.
5. Enjoy!