I have always LOVED the flavor of pumpkin, how about you? Growing up I looked forward to pumpkin pie every Thanksgiving and that was about the only pumpkin thing I knew of. Canned pumpkin was something only bought during the month of November, and now it has been hard to find since September. The hype over pumpkin has seemed to begin earlier and grow every year. In any grocery store you can find pumpkin-flavored everything. From granola bars to ice cream, to tea, cereal, yogurt and cream cheese-there is certainly no shortage of pumpkin-flavored items to choose from. With many of these pumpkin-flavored items full of added sugar and artificial ingredients, I’ve created a few homemade pumpkin recipes as healthier alternatives. So if you consider yourself a pumpkin-lover like me, I hope you’ll give one of these recipes a try.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 mug of milk
• espresso

Directions:

This Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe tastes so delicious, you wouldn’t believe that it wasn’t made with a fancy coffee machine or that it has half the amount of sugar compared to the famous Starbucks version. All you need are these simple ingredients, a regular coffee maker, and a blender. Brewing espresso in a regular coffee maker is pretty easy. The key that I’ve learned for making espresso this way is that you want a lot of espresso, and very little water to get it to turn out just right. The amount of espresso is up to you, but I generally think about half espresso and half milk/pumpkin mixture is a good ratio for this latte.

After getting the espresso brewing, I add the canned pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and maple syrup into a saucepan on low. Basically just simmer this for a few minutes, stirring frequently until smooth. While doing this I heat up a mug full of milk in the microwave. It is totally up to you which type of milk you use, and how hot it is. I’ve used almond milk frequently in this recipe and even regular half and half. Once the espresso is brewed, the milk is hot, and the pumpkin mixture is smooth and simmered you are about one minute from your homemade pumpkin spice latte! Just add the milk and the pumpkin mixture to your blender, and blend on high for about a minute. Add your espresso to the bottom of your desired latte cup (this makes a good-sized latte, and may be best in a tumbler) and pour the blended milk/pumpkin mixture on top. Throw a dash of pumpkin pie spice on it if you’d like.

Pumpkin Banana Bread

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup avocado oil (olive oil can be substituted)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup (honey can be substituted)
• 2 eggs
• 1 ripe banana
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/4 cup almond milk (can substitute any type of milk)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (I never measure this, I just add in a very small dash)
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup of chocolate chips (totally optional)

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan (to do this I just rub some avocado oil on the pan with a paper towel). Whisk together the oil and maple syrup. Next add the eggs, banana (mashed) and canned pumpkin followed by the milk. Add in the baking soda, vanilla, salt and pumpkin pie spice. Lastly, with a big spoon gently stir in the flour until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips if you desire. Pour the batter into your greased loaf pan, and sprinkle some extra pumpkin pie spice on top. Before placing into the oven, take a butter knife and lightly make a zig-zag pattern across the very top. Bake the bread for 55-60 minutes.

Pumpkin Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 6 ice cubes
• 1 banana
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• half cup canned pumpkin
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1/2 cup almond milk (or milk of your choice)

Directions:

This recipe really couldn’t be any easier. Just add all of the ingredients to a blender, blend until smooth and ENJOY!

I can’t wait to hear what you think of these pumpkin recipes!

Pumpkin = Happiness.

In the Spirit of Adventure,

Demie