Pumpkin Spice Latte
This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe is EASY to make and is my go-to drink when entertaining in the fall or winter. It’s made with REAL ingredients from your pantry and everyone is amazed that it’s made in a slow cooker.
“I just tried this recipe and it is delicious! Have tried other pumpkin coffee recipes and this is BY FAR the best!” – Katrina
Reasons to Love this Recipe
Crock Pot Pumpkin Spice Latte has become a fall staple in my home.
- It makes your house smell SOOO good. Its scent is a warm-vanilla-cinnamon-pumpkin-y aroma that’s better (and more all-natural) than any fall candle!
- It comes together quickly and smells SO delicious. Goes great with Snickerdoodle Cookies.
- It serves 15+ people. It’s a great recipe for large groups.
- Similar to our 3-Ingredient Hot Chocolate Mix, it’s super easy to make and uses REAL ingredients.
- You can make it up to 2 hours before your event, so you’re not scrambling to put it together as guests arrive.
- The taste rivals any coffee shop‘s pumpkin latte. It’s warm and sweet with a hint of pumpkin flavor. Top with our Homemade Whipped Cream or Maple Whipped Cream.
Ingredients in Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
Unlike the Starbucks version of a Pumpkin Spice Latte, our slow cooker version includes all REAL ingredients. Perfect for a Thanksgiving Meal or Halloween Party.
Ingredient Notes:
- Whole milk – It’s been tested with almond milk and works!
- Pumpkin puree – Similar to our Pumpkin Dump Cake, do not use pumpkin pie mix
- Real vanilla extract – here is how to make your own vanilla at home
- Optional: Top with our Homemade Whipped Cream or Maple Whipped Cream.
How to Make Crock Pot Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Add all of the ingredients to the slow cooker. Whisk them until they are well combined.
- Cook the Pumpkin Spiced Latte for 2 hours on high. After this, you can turn it to low to keep warm.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tip
Pumpkin Spice Latte needs to be kept very warm or it will start to create a film across the top as it cools.
If this does happen, simply skim off the top before serving.
Recipe FAQs
Yep. Trust us. This recipe has been tested and retested for years. Don’t skimp on the vanilla. And please be sure to use REAL (or pure) vanilla, not imitation vanilla extract.
Oh yes, you could definitely do this on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until all the flavors are combined and it’s warmed through. I would say 1-2 hours.
One reader told us, “I made this with coconut milk and it came out beautifully.” We’ve also been told it works well with almond milk.
We suggest making it fresh and serving within a few hours of it being done. Saving it as warm leftovers doesn’t work very well.
Unfortunately, the texture will change and not do well as leftovers. However, one reader told us she stored it in jars, gave it a quick shake, and poured it over ice for an iced coffee drink the next day.
More Pumpkin Recipes You Might Like
Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!
Crock Pot Pumpkin Spiced Latte
Homemade crock pot pumpkin latte. This recipe is EASY to make and is my go-to drink when entertaining in the fall or winter. Try this delicious version of a coffee shop favorite!
Ingredients
- 6 cups whole milk
- 6 cups of strongly brewed coffee
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup real (or pure) vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 3 cinnamon sticks
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- In your crock pot, whisk together the milk and coffee.
- In a mixing bowl, stir or whisk together the pumpkin, vanilla, sugar and cinnamon. Add that mixture into the crockpot.
- Whisk everything together until combined and then toss in 3-4 cinnamon sticks.
- Cover the crockpot, and cook on high for 2 hours. Once guests arrive, turn down the heat to the low or warm setting.
Notes/Tips
- If you don’t have a large group, you could easily halve the recipe.
- This recipe needs to be kept very warm or it will start to create a film across the top as it cools.
- Readers have told us using coconut milk or almond milk has worked well.
I would think that if you wanted to save it to serve again you could probably just skim the pumpkin chunks out. The flavor would probably already be mixed into the liquid from cooking for so long.
What about using brewed pumpkin flavored coffee instead of adding the pumpkin purée? Then maybe it could be cooled and saved as iced lattes or reheated.
Interesting idea! Thanks, PT.
If I do not have a crockpot (cooking in Spain :), do you think 2 hrs with the stovetop set on low would work?
Both Rachel and I think that if you cook it on a very low heat, it would work. Keep an eye on it though!
I did mine on the stovetop, and yes cook it on low and watch it. It was great.
This was amazing. To make it healthier I used 2% milk, truvia instead of sugar & real pumpkin instead of pumpkin puree & it still tasted great. Thx
Good ideas!
Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of the pumpkin puree?
I think pumpkin pie filling has some added ingredients that may change the flavor of the drink a bit. I can’t say for sure if it will taste ok though. Let us know if you try it out!
I just found this recipe and realized I have every ingredient in my house to make this right now (SO excited!!) EXCEPT for the cinnamon sticks. =/ Would I be able to use ground cinnamon instead..?
I don’t think the cinnamon sticks will make or break the recipe. Add a dash of cinnamon and I bet it will have a similar effect.
This sounds sooo wonderful! I would love to try it with my small group, but some of the girls are lactose free. Any idea on if this would work with soy milk or almond milk?
I don’t see why it wouldn’t work with those. Let us know how it works out!
I made it with almond milk, and just like other coffee drinks it was less sweet than cow’s milk but still delicious!
This looks fabulous! Can’t wait to make it for our cold night out Trick ‘r Treating 🙂 Can you tell me how many servings you think this recipe yields? I ask because I will enter it in Sparkpeople recipe builder to get the nutritional value. I have to watch my diet very closely. I can have pretty much anything I want. I just have to adjust for guilty pleasures such as this 🙂
What a good idea! I’d say it serves around 15 or so. It also depends on the size of your coffee mugs!
I made this today, and of course, it is amazing! Definitely an equal to the Starbucks version. I used Hazelnut flavored coffee and I thought it was wonderful; also added some whipped topping and cinnamon on top for added effect 🙂
I don’t recommend letting it get cold though, for whatever reason the pumpkin pie filling started to re-solidify in mine when it did. That was an interesting mouthful… haha.
I wrote a post about this recipe as well, to share with my friends!
http://itspolymyositisjack.blogspot.com/2013/10/homemade-pumpkin-spice-lattes.html
Oooh, good call on the hazelnut! I’m hearing similar feedback from other people who have tried to let it cool and use leftovers. It’s for sure a no-go.
There’s a difference between pumpkin pie filling and pumpkin puree… That’s probably where you’re getting problems
What would the recipe be like for a small crock pot?! All I have is the 1.5qt crock!!!!
Hmmm. You could probably halve the recipe. Would that still be too much for your crock pot?
I cannot wait to try this! I am wondering if anyone has put the leftovers in the fridge and then had iced lattes?
I’d love to know this as well!
I haven’t tried it myself but have heard that letting the latte cool doesn’t work so well. Apparently the pumpkin solidifies or something…
I have put the leftovers in the fridge and it is great cold. I didn’t put any ice in it though
Good to know! I’ve never tried to save the leftovers.
I’ve had leftovers and I actually thought they were wonderful. It gets kind of thick as it sits and cools, but I liked that. The flavors meld more, too.
I did!!! In my opinion it’s amazing as iced latte. 🙂
For the record, I have made this 3 times this week!!! Amazing and yummy recipe… thank you!
Haha! Me too!
Is the vanilla 8 T of vanilla extract?
Yes, real vanilla extract.
I’m not a coffee drinker, do you think it would work with tea?
I’m actually not a tea drinker so I’m really not sure. I’m thinking it would turn out pretty sweet with tea since the bitterness of the coffee probably dilutes some of the sweetness. If you try it out, let us know how it is!
My best guess is that strong black tea might not be too bad. That’s what is in an actual chai anyway. It’s an interesting idea. We’d love to know if it works out.
I put everything in the crockpot and realized… I’m out of vanilla!! Would it mess up the taste you think?
Alice, I LOVE the look on your face in the girl pic! Totally something I would do.
Love that mug! Are there supposed two 8 T of sugar in the recipe? I want to go make me a pot o’ this right now! Thanks!
Thanks! I actually got it free at a garage sale. And yes, add 8 tablespoons of sugar to the crock pot.
Hi, could i use decaf coffee instead of regular? I dont drink caffennie, it makes me way to jittery
I’m sure you could! I’m the same way. Can’t drink coffee at night or I’ll be up FOREVER.
Thanks for the heads up on the mistake. I will fix it right now. Only 8T of sugar! 🙂