Pumpkin Spice Latte

Starbucks has several speciality drinks throughout the year that get all the RAVE... Pumpkin Latte is one of them!!!! It is delicious but expensive. Instead of going to "five bucks" make a huge (crock) pot of pumpkin latte. It is just as good and really makes the house smell wonderful!

This was a huge favorite last year for us... I have not gotten around to make it as much as I would like this "pumpkin" season. 

The Ingredients:

2 cups milk 
2 TBSP canned pumpkin
2 TBSP white sugar
2 TBSP vanilla (not a typo. it asks for tablespoons)
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
OR: 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/8 tsp cloves, 1/8 tsp nutmeg, and a teeny tiny pinch of ground ginger
1/2 cup brewed espresso or 3/4 cup strong brewed coffee
garnish with whipped cream (optional)

The Directions.
This will make enough for 2 people to have a big mug with a bit leftover. If you are having friends over, adjust the recipe accordingly. I used a 4-quart crockpot, but as small as a 1.5 quart will work with these amounts.
Add the coffee/espresso and milk to the crockpot. Whisk in the pumpkin, spices, sugar, and vanilla.
Cover and cook on high for 2 hours if everything is cold. Whisk again. Ladle into mugs, and garnish with whipped cream and additional cinnamon. I added a cinnamon stick to be fancy.

Chai Spiced Latte

photo credit

I love enjoying a delicious hot cup of tea on a cold day. A Chai Tea Latte is my favorite, speciality drink! The only place that makes a really good Chai Tea Latte is Starbucks but who are we kidding it is far more expensive to go to Starbuck and get one than make one at home. 

I have come up with a delicious recipe!!!! Super easy and super yummy!

The Ingredients.

4 cups milk (I used Almond Milk -- have used 2% before)
4 black tea bags
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ginger
4 sticks cinnamon (or 2 tsp ground)
4 cardamom pods
1 tsp vanilla extract

The Directions.


This will serve 2-4 adults, dependent on how much they like tea.


Put everything into your crockpot. I used a 4 quart. Anything over a 2 quart will work just 
fine. Float the cinnamon sticks, cardamon pods, and tea bags on top.


Cover and cook on high for 2 hours, or until heated through. I cooked ours on low for 2 hours and another hour on high.


Press the tea bags against the side of the crockpot with a spoon to release the last bit of tea-goodness and ladle into mugs.


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Back to organizing and packing!!! A couple more days until we are on vacation!!!! Until then -- I will enjoying this wonderful drink!