Cozy fall coffee recipes you can make at home (including a homemade pumpkin spice latte) 

Every September, the air turns crisp and the leaves start to turn and then fall—or so we’ve heard. If you’re headed to our coffee shop near downtown Oklahoma City, you should know that autumn isn’t really a thing. We’re more of a hot as hell until Halloween then confusing as hell till May kind of state, but regardless, there’s no better way to celebrate a real or theoretical season change than with Fall coffee recipes from Elemental Coffee. 

If you’re local, we hope you’ll swing by one of our Oklahoma City coffee shops to try out our new cozy Autumn Specials (officially dropping next week), but we wanted to share with you some tips and tricks for bringing some of our favorite cozy fall flavors into your own home. So put on your most oversized sweater, blast your moodiest playlist, and read on to learn how to create fall coffee recipes at home that will feel like you’ve invited a small town harvest fest right into your living room. Don’t worry. We’re including a pumpkin spice latte recipe 🙂 

First up, let’s choose some coffee. We recommend our 228, our flagship blend that is as quintessentially Elemental as pecan pie is fall. 228 is the coffee superhero of our company. It’s a consistent, drinkable coffee that works great as espresso or filter coffee. It’s roasted into medium to maximize sweetness & pair well with milks, syrups, and all your Autumn feels. If you’re looking for an easy drinking, consistent cup of coffee, 228 should be your go-to. You can snag a bag here (link) or at our shops on Hudson or in Capitol Hill!

Once you’ve got your coffee, let’s talk about all the coffee flavors. Pumpkin spice is everywhere, and with good reason. You can catch us serving pumpkin butternut squash from Pink House Alchemy all season long. But there’s so much more to explore when it comes to seasonal fall coffee drinks at home. Whether you’re a seasoned home brewer or just looking to try something new, we’ve got a few DIY fall coffee recipes to bring in the season. 

Cozy Fall Coffee Recipes for Homebrewers

When the seasons change, we welcome in new flavors. Maple, caramel, pears, and spices like cinnamon and ginger are just waiting to shine in your seasonal coffee creations. Below, you’ll find some simple recipes that bring the best of fall right into your cup—all easily made at home with ingredients you can find in your pantry or at your local market.

Choose your favorite at home coffee brewing method and try one of the drinks below: 

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

Let’s go with the heavy hitter first. We all know why you’re here. And look, we would never hate on pumpkin. They’re indigenous to central and north America, part of the “three sisters” sustainable agricultural system developed by the Iroquois, and they’re downright delicious.  Read on to make your own DIY pumpkin spice latte with coffee at home. 

 Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy like almond, oat, or soy)
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon sugar (or more to taste, can use maple syrup or honey as well)
• 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup brewed coffee or 1-2 shots of espresso
• Whipped cream (optional, for topping)
• Extra pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Heat the milk: In a small saucepan, combine the milk, pumpkin puree, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the milk starts to steam. Don’t let it boil.
2. Add coffee or espresso: Pour the brewed coffee or espresso into a mug, then add the pumpkin milk mixture.
3. Add vanilla extract: Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Serve: Enjoy your delicious homemade pumpkin spice latte!

Caramel Apple Latte Recipe (with homemade caramel sauce!)

Looking for a twist on the classic fall caramel apple? This drink combines sweet homemade caramel and the warm taste of apples for a latte that’s as comforting as a stroll through a pumpkin patch. Plus, I’ll walk you through how to make a simple caramel sauce up front, so you’re ready for any caramel-flavored drinks you want to brew.

Ingredients for Caramel Sauce (use store bought if preferred!)

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Pinch of salt (optional, for salted caramel)

Caramel Sauce Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the sugar, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. The sugar will clump before melting into a smooth amber liquid.
2. Once completely melted, carefully add the butter (it will bubble up, so use caution). Stir until the butter is fully incorporated.
3. Slowly pour in the heavy cream, continuing to stir as the mixture bubbles up again. Allow the mixture to cook for about 1 minute, then remove from heat.
4. Stir in a pinch of salt if you’d like a salted caramel sauce.
5. Let the sauce cool slightly before using. Store any extra in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Now, let’s move on to the caramel apple latte.

Ingredients for Latte:

• 1-2 shots of espresso or ½ cup of strong brewed coffee
• 4 oz of your favorite milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 2 tbsp homemade caramel sauce (from above)
• 1 tbsp apple butter (or a dash of apple-flavored syrup)
• Ground cinnamon
• Optional: whipped cream and extra caramel for topping

Latte Instructions:

1. Brew your coffee or pull a shot of espresso.
2. In a saucepan, heat the milk and apple butter until warmed through, then froth the milk.
3. Pour 2 tbsp of your homemade caramel sauce into the bottom of your mug, followed by the espresso or strong coffee. Stir well.
4. Add the apple butter milk mixture to the mug, stirring until everything is combined.
5. Top with whipped cream, a drizzle of more caramel sauce, and a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra fall flavor.

Spiced Pear & Honey Latte Recipe

If you’re looking for a fall drink at home with a little less sweetness but full of flavor, this spiced pear and honey latte is perfect. It’s a play on one of our favorite specials in the cafes this season, tweaked to make it perfect as an at home DIY fall coffee drink option. Pear might not get the same attention as apples in autumn, but their subtle sweetness paired with honey is sure to win you over.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 double shot of espresso or ½ cup of brewed coffee
• 3 oz milk of choice
• 1 pear, diced
• 1 tbsp honey
• ½ tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, cook diced pear with a tablespoon of water until soft. Mash into a purée.
2. Combine pear purée with honey, cinnamon, and vanilla. Stir well.
3. Brew your espresso or coffee, then steam the milk.
4. Add 1-2 tablespoons of the spiced pear mixture to your mug. Pour in the coffee and steamed milk.
5. Stir well and top with extra honey if you like it sweeter.

Maple Cinnamon Mocha Recipe

The rich, earthy flavor of maple syrup pairs perfectly with chocolate and a hint of cinnamon in this decadent mocha.

Ingredients:

• 1 double shot of espresso or ½ cup of strong brewed coffee
• 6 oz steamed milk (any variety)
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• Whipped cream and cinnamon for topping (optional)

Instructions:

1. Brew your coffee or espresso.
2. In a mug, mix together the cocoa powder, maple syrup, and cinnamon.
3. Add the espresso or coffee to the mug and stir until smooth.
4. Pour in steamed milk, stir well, and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Any of these recipes are easy to whip up at home with just a few ingredients, but each one brings the comforting flavors of fall right to your mug. Whether you’re a fan of sweet, spiced, or rich flavors, there’s a drink here for everyone. So grab your favorite brewing method, a bag of Elemental Coffee  and start experimenting with the tastes of the season! Let us know on Facebook or Instagram which one is your favorite. Personally, we think they’re all tied for first.