So, why would anyone pay $6.00 for a beverage from Starbucks when you can make it for way cheaper at home? You also know everything going into it when you make it yourself, and I’ll tell you what isn’t going into it – four pumps of pure sugar.

Here is what you will need to make this bevvy yourself:

• Espresso or strong coffee
• Plant-based milk (I love cashew milk)
• Pure pumpkin puree (homemade or canned)
• Maple syrup (optional)
• Pure vanilla extract
• Pumpkin pie spice (homemade or store-bought)

To make your drink more latte-ish, frothing the milk is essential. One of my favourite kitchen tools is this handheld milk frother that I purchased from amazon. It is super cheap and works so, so well. I use it every day. I highly recommend investing in a frother if you are looking to save money by creating your own coffee-based beverages.

Pumpkin pie spice can be found for purchase at most grocery stores, or online here. You can also make it yourself by combining cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and some cardamom. If you don’t often use many of these spices, I would recommend just buying it as you will have an abundance of leftovers that will just be taking up room in your pantry.

To put this yummy drink together, you first want to get your coffee ready. Brew 1-2 shots of espresso, depending on preference, in your espresso maker. Alternatively, you can use regular coffee instead. Next, combine your milk with all of the other ingredients, steam and then froth it up. Pour over espresso and top with an extra sprinkling of pumpkin pie spice and you got yourself a PSL.

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Servings: 1

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plant-based milk (I use cashew milk)
• 1 tbsp pumpkin puree
• 1/2 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1-2 shots of espresso (or 1/3 cup strong coffee)

Instructions:

1. Add the milk, pumpkin, maple syrup, vanilla and spice to a small pot over medium heat and whisk. When the milk begins to steam, use a milk frother for 20 seconds or until foamy.
2. While the milk is steaming, brew the espresso or coffee.
3. Pour the espresso into a tall mug and top with the frothed milk. Add a sprinkling of pumpkin pie spice on top, if that’s your jam.

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Not only are these pancakes gluten-free, they are also dairy-free and refined sugar-free. You. Are. Welcome.

This recipe was inspired by the extra pumpkin puree that I had after making my favourite pumpkin pasta dish. I hate waste and when I was thinking about what I could use the leftovers for, my brain immediately went to pancakes. Usually when I try recipes for pancakes that are gluten-, dairy- and refined sugar-free, they often turn out flat. It was my goal to create healthy pancakes that taste and look like normal pancakes. I think these are it. And, by “think” I mean “know.” I just didn’t want to sound cocky.

Because these pancakes are refined sugar-free, they are on the less-sweet side. They include the natural sweetness from a banana, but feel free to add some brown or white sugar to the wet ingredients. I, personally like to aggressively drizzle them with maple syrup after they are made and ready-to-eat, and this covers the necessary sweetness!

To start, whisk up all of your dry ingredients. Buckwheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. The use of buckwheat is what makes these pancakes gluten-free. Buckwheat is actually a seed, not a wheat, as the name suggests. The seeds are ground up into a flour. It is my preferred ingredient for pancakes as I have found it to have a similar outcome as regular wheat flour, unlike other gluten-free flours, like almond and coconut.

The wet ingredients include: pumpkin (of course), canned coconut milk, a mashed banana, an egg and some vanilla. These all get whisked together. When combined, add in the dry ingredients and stir until everything has been incorporated. The batter will be thick. Set it aside to allow the ingredients to get to know one another.

When ready, add the batter to a hot pan. I find it easiest to use two spoons to help shape your pancakes the way you would like them. They only need a minute or two on each side until they are ready.

Serve with your toppings of choice. I love fresh fruit on these, cinnamon, and some yogurt. Oh, and pools of maple syrup, of course!

The Fluffiest Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pancakes

Servings: Makes 8 pancakes

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 10-15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup buckwheat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg (or the packaged powder)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup pure pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
• 1 very ripe banana, mashed
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup canned coconut milk
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Coconut oil

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk the buckwheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the pumpkin, banana, beaten egg, coconut milk and vanilla together until smooth. Add the dry ingredients and stir until everything has been combined. Batter will be thick. Set aside for a few minutes to allow the flavours to meld.
3. Preheat a pan over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of coconut oil to grease the pan. Use two spoons to dollop the batter into the pan and to help spread and shape the pancakes. Cook for 1-2 minutes – you will notice the edges begin to set and bubbles begin to form on top – and flip, cooking another minute. Remove from pan and continue with the rest of the batter.
4. Serve with your choice of topping – I recommend pure maple syrup, fresh fruit and dairy-free yogurt!

The post The Fluffiest Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pancakes appeared first on Never. Not. Eating..