Cozy Season in a Cup: Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Mix

We're already halfway through October, and autumn has finally started to feel like autumn. The sunny afternoons are giving way to chilly, rainy days. The sun is setting earlier, the evenings are getting longer, and staying home with a warm cup of coffee sounds better all the time. That can mean only one thing.

Cozy season is officially here.

We're getting a slightly late start on the fall recipes this year, but there's plenty of chilly weather ahead. And while pumpkin spice gets most of its attention in September and October, there's no reason to put it away when Halloween is over. A warm, spiced latte tastes just as good in November, December, or on a particularly cold January morning.

So we're starting a new collection of homemade instant coffee mixes for fall and winter, beginning with a classic: pumpkin spice latte.

A Little Comfort in a Jar

I love a good coffeehouse drink, but I don't want to leave the house to get one. And I certainly don't want to drag out a collection of ingredients and equipment every time I want something a little more interesting than my usual coffee.

That's where homemade instant coffee mixes come in.

I love my instant mixes. Make a batch, keep it in a jar, and scoop out what you need when you're ready for a cup. Add hot water, stir, and enjoy.

Spooky Season Mug

No special equipment. No complicated directions. Just a warm, creamy cup of coffee whenever you want one. And I know what’s in each cup and I can customize however I want.

My first instant recipe to share with you uses ingredients you can find at the grocery store. You likely already have most of them in your pantry.

And yes, I know this doesn’t have any actual pumpkin in the mix. Pumpkin is a difficult ingredient to keep to add to a dry mix. But check my notes below for one of my personal tricks.

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Homemade Instant Pumpkin Spice Latte Mix

Makes approximately one quart jar of dry mix

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons instant coffee, regular or decaf (and yes, I’ve got you covered with our Short Cup of Coffee instant coffee)

• 1½ cups powdered milk

• 1½ cups powdered non-dairy coffee creamer

• ¼ cup dry instant vanilla pudding mix

• ¼ cup granulated or powdered sugar

• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

Directions

1. Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

2. Stir or whisk thoroughly until everything is evenly distributed.

3. Transfer the mixture to a clean, completely dry quart-size jar or another airtight container. If it doesn't quite fit, save the extra in a second container.

4. Seal and store in a cool, dry place.

To Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte

Add 4 tablespoons of the dry mix to a mug.

Pour in 8 ounces of hot water and stir until the mix has dissolved. A coffee milk frother works well to combine and froth your latte.

Taste and adjust to your liking. Use a little more mix for a stronger, creamier drink or add more hot water if you prefer a lighter cup.

For an extra treat, top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.

Make It Your Own

One of the nice things about making coffee mixes at home is that you can adjust them to suit your taste.

If you love pumpkin spice, try adding another ½ teaspoon to the next batch. If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the spice a little.

Pumpkin Powder for Latte Mix

I mentioned my trick for adding real pumpkin to our pumpkin spice latte: dehydrated pumpkin puree. If you have a home dehydrator, you can make your own pumpkin powder and keep it on hand for recipes that call for pumpkin puree.

Simply spread canned pumpkin puree evenly across the fruit leather trays for your dehydrator. Dehydrate on the vegetable setting for about 8–12 hours. The time will depend on your machine and how humid your kitchen is. When the puree is completely dry and brittle enough to snap, break it into pieces and pulse in your blender until it becomes a powder. Sift out any larger chunks and grind those in a coffee grinder if you have one.

For the pumpkin spice latte, add 1 heaping tablespoon of pumpkin powder to your dry mix. Experiment with the amount if you prefer more or less pumpkin flavor, but don't add so much that you end up with a clump of pumpkin puree at the bottom of your cup.

If you have it, or can buy it online, I suggest replacing the coffee creamer with heavy cream powder. I admit it seems a bit pricey but I have found it’s versatile in multiple dry mix recipes and improves flavor and creaminess. Plus, just like keeping powdered milk on hand for emergencies, powdered cream can meet those times when you’re out of creamer, need some cream for a recipe–or you get snowed in.

You can also experiment with the amount of mix you use in each cup. There's no need to make every mug exactly the same.

And don't worry about finding fancy ingredients. This recipe is meant to be easy and affordable, using ordinary pantry staples.

This pumpkin spice latte is just the beginning. We're planning more instant coffee mixes to carry us through the colder months, with flavors that make a chilly morning or quiet evening a little more enjoyable.

There's something comforting about having a jar of your favorite coffee mix waiting in the kitchen. It's a small pleasure, but those are often the best kind.

So find your favorite mug, put the kettle on, and settle in.

We've got plenty of cozy season left to enjoy.