Homemade Lighter Pumpkin Frappuccino Recipe
Enjoy a delicious pumpkin spice frappuccino at home without the high price tag and reduce calories, fat, and refined sugar with this homemade lighter version. Made with cold brewed coffee, pumpkin puree, warming spices, and natural sweeteners, it’s a refreshing and flavorful fall treat perfect for any time of day.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 12 hours, 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Liquid Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups (12 oz) cold coffee
- 1 and 1/4 cups (10 oz) unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or any milk)
- 3 Tablespoons pure maple syrup*
- Optional: light whipped cream
Pumpkin & Spices
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon*
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves*
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg*
Instructions
- Brew and chill coffee: Brew your coffee as you normally would and pour it into a large mug or container. Place it in the refrigerator overnight or until it is thoroughly chilled, as very cold coffee is essential for the frappuccino texture.
- Mix pumpkin spice milk: In a small bowl, whisk together the unsweetened vanilla almond milk, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground nutmeg until all ingredients are well combined and smooth.
- Freeze pumpkin mixture: Pour the pumpkin milk mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid, about 4-6 hours or overnight, to create pumpkin spice ice cubes that will enhance the icy frappuccino consistency.
- Blend the frappuccino: Once the coffee is cold and the pumpkin spice cubes are fully frozen, add the coffee, pumpkin ice cubes, and any remaining milk to your blender. Blend on high until smooth and icy. If blending is difficult, add a bit more milk as needed to achieve a creamy, smooth texture.
- Taste and adjust: Taste the blended frappuccino and add additional maple syrup or more spices if desired for sweetness or stronger flavor. Blend briefly again if you add anything.
- Serve: Pour into glasses immediately and top with light whipped cream if using. Enjoy your homemade lighter pumpkin frappuccino fresh for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Special Tools: A blender is essential to create the icy texture; a high-powered blender like a Ninja is recommended.
- Sweetener Substitutes: You can substitute pure maple syrup with honey, agave syrup, or 4 packets of stevia or another sweetener of your choice.
- Spice Variations: Instead of individual cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, use 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of store-bought or homemade pumpkin pie spice blend.
- Diet Adaptations: This drink is naturally gluten free. To keep it vegan, use non-dairy milk and omit whipped cream topping.
