This is my time of year, my friends. Some people live for those hot summer days with barbecues and boat rides. Others wait all year for picnics in the park on a spring afternoon. Still others are all about hot coffee in the snow while skiing and sledding. Me? I enjoy few things in life as much as being inside on a blustery fall afternoon. Something about a cozy afternoon with soft throws, warm drinks, and my people together brings peace and joy to my soul.
This Sunday was such a day. I awoke early and filled my crockpot with delicious pumpkin spice latte ingredients, turned it on, and waited for the amazing scent of fall to fill our home. Little by little, my people awoke and we enjoyed a morning together in our jammies. Marian was here, and soon we were playing games, watching movies, and drinking pumpkin spice lattes with homemade whipped cream. Later in the day, we gathered in the kitchen and made some yummy and festive caramel apples.
Outside it was windy and cold. Inside, we were happy and cozy and warm. And blessed.
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
In a slow cooker, whisk 8 cups of milk (I used Almond Milk), 6 cups freshly brewed coffee, 1 cup canned pumpkin, 1 cup sugar, 2 Tbsp. vanilla extract, and 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice. Add 1 cinnamon stick, cover, and cook on high for 2-4 hours. Top with whipped cream.
Maple Whipped Cream
2 cups cold heavy cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. maple extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
Whip in chilled bowl until stiff peaks form.
Enjoy your cozy fall days, my friends!
*I attended a cooking class at a culinary school this past weekend. The chef and instructor had the pumpkin spice latte warming in the crockpot when we arrived. We made the whipped cream together and then tried a cup of the latte. It was amazing! Marian and my sister-in-law Sally were there with me. Neither drinks coffee, but both of them loved it!!!
I was so happy the chef printed out the recipe for us and went straight to Walmart to get the things I needed to make it at home. : )
I applaud you and your cozy home and family. Thanks for both the recipes - they are both amazing. Happy Monday and weekend ahead.
ReplyDeleteI was about to ask how to make that and WAH-LAH, there is the recipe. Thanks! Have a blessed and beautiful Fall day. Hugs
ReplyDeleteooooh.... those apples! Are gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteAnnnnnd why wasn't I invited?!? Hehe!! You and I think alike! I live for the fall! Such a beautiful season! Wish it were longer:) So which version did you think tasted better?? Made with milk or made with almond milk? In my house we drink regular milk, almond & soy so I wanna use what you think tasted best cause I definitely plan on making this for my family! Post here & I'll check back incase any else is wondering the same question ;) Happy Fall!!! !
ReplyDeleteHello Sweet Friend!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I couldn't tell the difference!
I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk, and it was delicious.
Let me know how you all like it!
So happy to chat!!!
Thank you!! I am thinking about making this on Halloween when my sister comes over to trick or treat with us :) I'll let you know how it comes out! Xoxo
DeleteMmm everything look delicious.
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of fall as well.. but our fall is feeling a lot more like winter. :(
http://www.henatayeb.blogspot.com
I'm so glad to know you made this with almond milk because I have a non-dairy person here and would love to be able to make this for everybody. It sounds delicious! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the recipes with us, my friend. It all sounds so good...and loved the way you spent your time on Sunday with loved ones and doing "fall" things. The caramel apples look amazing!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge pumpkin spice person but this sounds delicious! I could go for a big mug of it right now! We woke up this morning to temps in the 30s! Last week we had highs in the low 80s and now it's cold! Enjoy your favorite time of year!
ReplyDeleteSounds delicious, on the list of things to do. I am thinking maybe at the weekend when we have friends over. Those apples looked like a fun make.
ReplyDeleteI know what I am making this weekend!! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a near perfect weekend!! I'm sure the house smelled great and those apples were delicious!
ReplyDeleteI always feel relaxed reading your post. I love all those things too, but find myself on the go most of the time. My husband and I snuggle together in the evening and your homemade pumpkin spice latte sounds like a wonderful way to enjoy a cool evening. I don't drink coffee but I'm sure it would be just as delicious without the coffee and those Carmel apples look amazing!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!!
Saimi
Yum!! What a cozy treat! Your perfect day is almost identical to mine!!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds perfect! I want to try that recipe right now except I'm not sure how healthy it would be to drink an entire crock pot of pumpkin spice latte by myself...better wait until I have help with it. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
ReplyDeleteLike JEAN, above, I'd better wait to make this when all my family gather here for Thanksgiving. Thanks for the recipe.
ReplyDeleteMmmm... your pumpkin spice latte sounds amazing, my friend. I would love to wake up to such a wonderful scent :)
ReplyDeleteAnd those caramel apples are quite the beauties! Hugs to you, dear one!
Sound like perfection! And that crockpot latte sounds like my kind of coffee! Will have to try it very soon. <3
ReplyDeleteRemind me again why we aren't neighbors???? Thank you for sharing this recipe. The sad part is I'm the only one in my entire house who would drink it! But I think I could probably polish off the whole thing in a weekend! : ) Sounds so delicious with the maple whip cream! YUM I am planning on making caramel apples soon! Your day sounds so lovely! As does the cooking class! Sign me up! xx
ReplyDeleteI'd love to live somewhere where it's fall every day! I just LOVE how it feels and how cozy everything seems on a beautiful fall day. :) Just reading your posts makes me feel cozy and warm. :)
ReplyDeleteI am completely drooling all over this fall post! Yum, yum and yum!
ReplyDelete