Why You'll Love This Homemade Pumpkin Spice Sauce Recipe!
Sure, we all love that first sip of a Pumpkin Spice Latte every fall, but can we really be beholden to Starbucks prices? In this economy? I don’t think so!
That’s exactly why I recreated Starbucks Pumpkin Sauce—so you can enjoy the flavors of pumpkin spice season anytime, right from your own kitchen. It’s easy, budget-friendly, and tastes just like the real thing!
I'm no stranger to making homemade coffee syrups and sauces! It's becoming one of my favorite things to create! Once you learn just how easy they are to make, you'll never go store-bought again!
Ingredients in Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Sauce
In order to replicate Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Sauce, I took a look at the ingredients listed on their Pumpkin Spice Latte. For the sauce they indicate it mostly consists of a few simple ingredients: Sugar, Condensed Milk, Pumpkin Puree, and Natural Flavors. So that’s exactly what I used as the foundation for this recipe.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: This is not the same as evaporated milk. Sweetened condensed milk is a thick, sweet mixture of milk and sugar, which adds the perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess to this sauce.
- Pumpkin Puree: Make sure it’s real pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. The only ingredient should be pumpkin!
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: You can find this spice mixture in the baking aisle, it is a pre-made mixture of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a sweet depth to the sauce.
*See recipe card below for ingredient quantities.
Can I make a Dairy-Free Pumpkin Spice Sauce?
Yes! You can swap the sweetened condensed milk for sweetened condensed coconut milk or even sweetened condensed oat milk to make this completely dairy-free. Both make an equally delicious sauce!
I Really Love Pumpkin, Can I Add More?
Yes, you can absolutely add more pumpkin if you want a stronger pumpkin flavor. While I think the balance in this recipe is just right, that’s the beauty of making your own sauces—you can adjust the flavors to your liking.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Sauce
- Combine sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin purée, and pumpkin pie spice in a small saucepan.
- Stir or whisk over low to medium heat.
- Let it warm for about 5 minutes—just enough to heat through and bloom the spices for the best flavor.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
How Long Does Pumpkin Spice Sauce Last?
Stored in an airtight container, like a mason jar, in the fridge, this pumpkin spice sauce stays fresh for up to 2 weeks.
It may last a bit longer, but keep an eye out for signs of mold or an off smell—if you notice anything questionable, it’s best to toss it and make a fresh batch.
Can You Freeze It?
Yes! Pumpkin spice sauce freezes well and stays good for at least 3 months.
Since sweetened condensed milk doesn’t freeze solid, you can simply scoop out a tablespoon at a time as needed.
Top Recipe Tip
The sauce doesn’t have to be heated, but if you skip this step, it’s best to let it sit for a while before using—a few hours or overnight.
This is because the spices can have a gritty texture or give the sensation of getting caught in your throat. Giving the spices some time to hydrate will eliminate this problem.
Ways to Use Pumpkin Spice Latte Sauce
This sauce isn’t just for espresso—you can use it in so many ways! Try it in:
- Coffee: Stir it into your cold brew, iced coffee, or hot latte for that classic pumpkin cream flavor.
- Hot Cocoa: Stir into a mug of hot chocolate for a pumpkin-spiced twist.
- Oatmeal: Swirl it into warm oats for a cozy fall breakfast.
- Pancakes, Waffles, or French Toast: Drizzle over your stack instead of maple syrup.
- Yogurt or Ice Cream: Mix it into vanilla yogurt or spoon it over ice cream for a seasonal treat.
- Smoothies: Blend it into a pumpkin spice smoothie for a creamy, spiced flavor.
- Baking: Use it as a filling for muffins or a topping for cheesecakes.
Recipe FAQs
Nope! Despite the name, allspice is a single spice, not a blend. It comes from dried berries and has a warm, peppery flavor. Allspice alone won’t replace pumpkin pie spice—in fact, it can make your sauce taste bitter!
Pumpkin pie spice, on the other hand, is a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves (sometimes allspice, but not always).
If you’re out of pumpkin pie spice, you can make your own blend using some spices you might have on hand.
DIY Pumpkin Spice Mixture: 1 ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon ginger, ⅛ teaspoon cloves or allspice.
Yes, and they are just as easy to make as this pumpkin sauce too! Try my Starbucks mocha sauce recipe or my white chocolate mocha sauce!
More Homemade Coffee Syrups and Sauces
For sauces, check out my Starbucks Mocha Sauce and White Chocolate Mocha Sauce recipes! See a few of my homemade syrups below!
Pumpkin Spice Sauce (Starbucks Copycat)
Ingredients
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk
- ½ cup pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin purée, and pumpkin pie spice in a small saucepan.
- Stir over low to medium heat.
- Let it warm for about 5 minutes—just enough to heat through and bloom the spices.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Use to taste in your favorite coffee or espresso drinks! Start with 1–2 tablespoons and add more if you want a stronger pumpkin spice flavor.
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