Notes of vanilla and pumpkin spice, fresh whipped cream, and a steaming cup of joe…the perfect recipe for an easy afternoon fall flavor fix!

Ingredients

  • Brew 4 “cups” of your favorite coffee, per your coffee maker’s measurements
  • 1/4 c heavy cream
  • ¼ c half and half
  • ½ tsp McCormick vanilla flavor, divided
  • ¼ tsp McCormick pumpkin pie spice extract, divided (see notes below)
  • 1 Tbsp powdered sugar
  • Turbinado sugar (to garnish, optional)
  • *Ice (optional – see notes below)

Tools & Timing

  • Electric beaters
  • Two prep bowls, one small
  • Coffee Mugs (or cocktail glasses, if serving iced)
  • *Sugar rim: two small plates; slightly larger than the rim of the coffee mugs
  • Makes two servings; prep time 5 minutes

Background

I love, love, love coffee! And while I enjoy going to Peet’s, Starbucks, or local coffee shops as much as the next person, sometimes I just want to stay home in my comfies. This Vanilla Pumpkin Spice coffee lets me relax in my yoga pants (or pajama pants haha) at home and enjoy a fun fall drink. I hope you enjoy!

Step-by-step

  • Brew your coffee. Set up your coffee maker to brew 4 “cups” of your favorite coffee (I have found that beginning with 3 measured cups of water results in about 2 ½ cups of coffee, in baking measurements – my coffee maker calls this 4 brewed cups of coffee – and shows 5 “cups” of water to begin).
  • In a small prep bowl, combine half and half with ¼ tsp McCormick vanilla flavor and about 5 drops (1/8 tsp) of pumpkin pie spice flavor. Set aside.
  • In large prep bowl, beat heavy cream on high just until it starts to form thicken (about 45 seconds). Add powdered sugar and ¼ tsp of vanilla and 5 drops of pumpkin pie spice flavor. Continue to beat until you have stiff peaks (this takes another 30 – 45 seconds or so).
  • Divide half-n-half mixture between two mugs.
  • Add coffee and top with your whipped heavy cream.
  • *If garnishing with turbinado, sprinkle on whipped cream.

Serve and Enjoy

Serve with some Brown Butter Pumpkin Spice Cookies or Fudgy Buttermilk Brownies: a fall afternoon flavor treat!

Other Options

This coffee concoction is delicious served cold as well. Simply follow the same steps using ice!

Mix up your garnishes: serve with a cinnamon stick for added fall fun and flavor.

Tips, Tricks, and Tweaks

  • If you chill your large prep bowl ahead of time, your whipped cream will stay whipped longer.
  • You can also make this recipe using powdered pumpkin pie spice; 1 tsp of extract = 1 tsp of powdered spice. However, I prefer the extract because it’s smoother. I couldn’t find the extract in my local grocery store this year, so I ordered mine online.