How to Make Pumpkin Sauce for Coffee: Simple 3-Ingredient Recipe

Fall is the season for pumpkin-spiced coffee. However, buying them from your favorite coffee shop a few times a week isn't cheap. 

Making coffee with our homemade pumpkin sauce recipe tastes just as good as any pumpkin-spiced coffee from Starbucks stores or a similar chain. It will also save you a lot of money in the long run. 

What You Need to Make Pumpkin Sauce

This pumpkin sauce recipe can make Starbucks’ famous pumpkin spiced latte (PSL), pumpkin spiced coffee, and other sweet caffeinated beverages. 

This sauce is extremely simple and only requires three ingredients and a few pieces of equipment you likely own already. 

Here's what you'll need to make pumpkin sauce for coffee:

Ingredients

• Pumpkin puree
• Pumpkin pie spice
• Condensed milk

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Whisk
• Glass mason jar
• Tablespoon

How to Make Pumpkin Sauce for Coffee: Instructions

This simple pumpkin sauce recipe requires no cooking. In just a few minutes for less than $6, you can make enough pumpkin sauce for more than 20 coffees. 

Here's how to make it:

1. Combine the Ingredients 

In a large mixing bowl, add one tin of condensed milk, one tin of pumpkin puree, and two to three tablespoons of pumpkin pie spice.

2. Mix The Ingredients 

Using a whisk, thoroughly combine the ingredients until a thick, caramel-like sauce has been created. 

3. Adjust to Your Taste

Taste the sauce and add more pumpkin pie spice if needed. Remember, the sauce will be diluted when it's added to coffee so it should taste quite strong.

4. Pour and Store

Pour the pumpkin sauce into a large glass mason jar and refrigerate. It will last in the fridge for four to seven days.

5. Using the Sauce

To use the pumpkin sauce in coffee, simply add a tablespoon or two to a regular cup of joe, latte, iced coffee, or mocha coffee. 

How to Use Pumpkin Sauce: Five Coffee Recipes 

You can use this pumpkin sauce in any type of coffee. Adding a tablespoon or two is a great way to sweeten your morning cup of coffee with fall-time flavors. However, some brews stand out among the rest when made with pumpkin sauce…

Here are five recipes to try with your pumpkin sauce:

1. Pumpkin Spiced Latte

The pumpkin spiced latte — often referred to as the PSL — is the Starbucks coffee that started the fall pumpkin coffee trend. It's surprisingly easy to make at home — simply make a latte and add pumpkin sauce. 

Here's what you’ll need:

• Espresso 
• Whole milk
• Pumpkin sauce
• Whipped cream (optional)

Here's how to make a PSL:

1. First, pull a single or double shot of espresso. If you don't have an espresso machine, try our Instant Vietnamese Espresso.
2. Steam ¾ of a cup of milk using the steam wand of your espresso until a warm microfoam is produced. Alternatively, heat the milk in a pan until warm and froth using a milk frother or whisk. 
3. In a large coffee mug, add the espresso shot followed by one to two tablespoons of pumpkin sauce, and stir to combine. 
4. Pour in the warmed milk and stir gently. 
5. Top with whipped cream (optional) and serve while warm. 

2. Pumpkin Spiced Drip Coffee

You don't need to make a fancy coffee to enjoy the fall flavors of pumpkin spice. Adding a tablespoon or two to your regular cup of drip coffee can elevate your brew and make it more indulgent. 

You don't need much to make pumpkin-spiced drip coffee. Here's what you'll need:

• Drip coffee
• Whole milk
• Pumpkin sauce

Here's how to make pumpkin-spiced drip coffee:

1. Prepare your drip coffee maker with enough coffee for half a cup.
2. Warm half a cup of whole milk in a saucepan.
3. In the carafe, add one to two tablespoons of pumpkin sauce.
4. Brew the coffee until a strong, dark brew is collected in the carafe. Stir to combine the sauce. 
5. In a large coffee cup, pour in the coffee and warmed milk and stir to combine. 
6. Serve and enjoy.

3. Pumpkin Spiced Iced Coffee

Fall isn't always filled with cold weather and rain. For those sunny, warm fall days an iced coffee is the go-to. 

Pumpkin-spiced iced coffee tastes fantastic, even in the summer. 

Here’s what you'll need to make it:

• Concentrated coffee
• Pumpkin sauce
• Milk
• Ice

Here's how to make pumpkin-spiced iced coffee:

1. Brew a strong, concentrated shot of coffee. Or learn how to make concentrated coffee.
2. To a glass, add the coffee and one to two tablespoons of pumpkin sauce. Stir to combine. 
3. Add ice to the glass. 
4. Fill the rest of the glass with cold, whole milk or a dairy-free alternative. 
5. Stir gently and serve. 

4. Pumpkin Spiced Baileys Coffee

Baileys coffee is a warm, creamy, alcoholic drink best served by the fire on a cool fall or winter evening. It pairs wonderfully with pumpkin sauce and is easy to make. 

Here's what you’ll need:

• Strong black coffee
• Baileys Irish Cream 
• Pumpkin sauce
• Whipped cream (optional)

Here's how to make pumpkin-spiced Baileys coffee:

1. Brew a strong cup of black coffee using an arabica or robusta beans and arabica blend. 
2. Pour the coffee into a mug and add one to two tablespoons of pumpkin sauce. Stir to combine. 
3. Pour in 60 mL (or more) of Baileys Irish Cream.
4. Stir to combine, top with whipped cream (optional), and serve while warm. 

5. Pumpkin Spiced Mocha Coffee

If you love the taste of chocolate and coffee and enjoy pumpkin-spiced brews, combine the two for a sweet, indulgent drink. If you have a sweet tooth, this pumpkin-spiced mocha coffee is well worth a try.

Here's what you'll need to make it:

• Espresso or strong black coffee
• Dark chocolate or cocoa powder
• Milk
• Pumpkin sauce
• Whipped cream (optional)

How to make pumpkin spiced mocha coffee step-by-step:

1. Brew a small cup of strong black coffee using an espresso machine, moka pot, French press, or drip coffee maker. 
2. While the coffee brews, heat a cup of milk in a saucepan until warm. 
3. In a separate container add grated dark chocolate or cocoa powder. Add a splash of hot water and stir until a thick chocolate syrup has been created. 
4. Add one to two tablespoons of pumpkin sauce to the chocolate syrup and stir to combine. 
5. In a cup, add the coffee, syrup, and milk. Stir to combine. 
6. Top with whipped cream and garnish with chocolate flakes (optional).
7. Serve and enjoy while hot. 

FAQs: Making Pumpkin Sauce for Coffee

Learn more about pumpkin sauce and other ways to spice up your coffee in the frequently asked questions below:

1. How Many Calories in Starbucks Pumpkin Sauce?

There are 25 calories in one pump of pumpkin sauce from Starbucks. There are 390 calories In a regular pumpkin-spiced latte from Starbucks. 

2. Can You Use Fresh Pumpkin To Make Pumpkin Sauce?

Yes. You can make your own pumpkin puree to use in pumpkin sauce. 

Cut a pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds, and roast until the flesh is soft. Remove the flesh from the skin and blend until a smooth puree has formed. 

3. How Long Does Homemade Pumpkin Sauce Last?

Homemade pumpkin sauce will last for four to seven days in the fridge. To extend its shelf life it can be frozen. 

4. Can You Use Pumpkin Sauce In Hot and Iced Coffee?

Yes. Pumpkin sauce works well in both hot and cold coffee. Try it in a latte, flat white, and regular drip coffee or iced coffee, frozen coffee, and cold brew. 

5. Is Pumpkin Sauce The Same As Pumpkin Spice?

Pumpkin sauce contains pumpkin spice. 

Pumpkin spice is a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, and ginger. Pumpkin sauce contains condensed milk, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin spice. 

6. Can You Make A Sugar-Free Version Of Pumpkin Sauce?

You won't be able to make a sugar-free pumpkin sauce that tastes similar to Starbucks’ famous syrup. However, you can add pumpkin spice to coffee to give it sugar-free fall flavors. 

7. Can You Freeze Pumpkin Sauce For Later Use?

If you've made too much pumpkin sauce to use before it expires in the fridge, it can be frozen. 

Due to the high sugar content in condensed milk, pumpkin sauce won't freeze completely solid — this makes it easy to use. Pour the sauce into an ice cube tray before freezing. To use, take one or two cubes to add directly to your coffee. 

8. Can You Add Vanilla To Pumpkin Sauce For Extra Flavor?

Adding a dash of vanilla extract or syrup to pumpkin sauce can add more depth of flavor. But, avoid using too much — the tropical notes of vanilla can overpower the subtle flavors of pumpkin spice. 

9. Can You Add Pumpkin Sauce To Espresso Drinks?

Yes. Espresso-based creamy coffees pair well with pumpkin sauce. Try adding pumpkin sauce to lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites. 

10. Can Pumpkin Sauce Be Used For Cocktails?

Yes. You can use pumpkin sauce to make festive Irish coffee, Baileys coffee, and other hot alcoholic coffee cocktails.