It’s the season for all things pumpkin spice. I can’t say I’m complaining, especially since I’m able to experience some fall-ish weather in October while I’m traveling for a cookbook photo shoot job (if you follow me on Instagram, you can see updates of what I’m doing, of “what work looks like today”/#wwllt). I love that I'm getting to experience the changing leaf colors, the slightly cooler temperatures, & rain.
About this time last year, I created my own homemade pumpkin spice latte, which I loved making, only now my lifestyle & dietary choices have prohibited me from enjoying that version (and any other commercial PSL). Not wanting to miss out on a favorite treat, I went back to the drawing board on making a new version, paleo style, that is dairy free, AIP friendly on the spices, & naturally sweetened using dates instead of refined sugar. And I wanted it to contain actual pumpkin, unlike most store-bought PSLs.
Coffee isn’t allowed on the initial portion of the Autoimmune Protocol, but after going through my initial detox period, one of the very first things I reintroduced was coffee. I know, the experts usually recommend reintroducing other things first, but I really love the ritual of drinking a little coffee in the morning. I don’t drink it every day, but when I do, I usually mix half coffee and half coconut milk & more often than not, I make also make the beverage “bulletproof” by adding coconut oil (or you could add butter/ghee, if you tolerate dairy).
For this pumpkin spice version, I also needed to create an AIP-friendly pumpkin pie spice blend. I substituted mace for nutmeg, omitted the allspice, and added a little ground cloves. This spice mix is a great blend of warmer fall-ish/winter-ish/holiday-ish flavors. Now that I have it on hand, I find myself adding it to more than just pumpkin things, like homemade applesauce, and cranberry compote, and even mashed sweet potatoes.
If you’re following AIP & have not reintroduced coffee yet (or if that reintroduction did not go well), you could make this as a steamer instead. Just omit the coffee & add additional coconut milk, or substitute brewed tea for the coffee.
Bulletproof Pumpkin Spice Latte (Dairy Free & Paleo)
serves two
Technically, my version is more of a cafe au lait (meaning, it has extra coconut milk), but for “Pumpkin spice latte” is more fun to say ;)
6 fl oz / 3/4 c Coconut Milk
3 Medjool Dates, pitted & coarsely chopped
2-3 Tbl Organic Canned Pumpkin
1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice (see AIP recipe below)
1 tsp Vanilla (may omit on AIP)
6 fl oz / 3/4 c Coffee, freshly brewed, plus additional if needed (may substitute Tea if following AIP)
3 Tbl Coconut Oil
- In a small skillet or saucepan, whisk together the coconut milk, dates, pumpkin, spices & vanilla. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking constantly.
- Pour the heated milk mixture into a high speed blender or food processor, and add the coffee and coconut oil. Blend on high speed until smooth.
- Pour into two cups & enjoy. Top off with additional coffee if desired.
AIP Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 Tbl Ground Cinnamon
2 tsp Ground Ginger
3/4 tsp Ground Mace
1/4 tsp Ground Cloves
- Mix all together & store in a small airtight container.
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