PUMPKIN SPICE HOT CHOCOLATE

Wrap your fingers around a warm cozy mug of pumpkin spice hot chocolate. It feels and tastes like love and happiness. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the fall season. Add more joy by topping hot cocoa with mini marshmallows and a light sprinkling of pumpkin pie spice. So delicious!

PIN PUMPKIN SPICE HOT CHOCOLATE

Pumpkin spice is the hallmark of the fall season. When September rolls around, it’s the flavor and aroma we all crave most!

If you enjoy Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate Starbucks, you’ll also love this easy homemade drink with a decadent flavor profile. You’ll feel pampered and satisfied. Like sipping a beverage from a neighborhood coffee house.

After a busy day, treat yourself to something special. You deserve it. Carve out time just for you. Sip and savor this comforting hot cocoa while reading, soaking in a warm bath, wrapped in a blanket on the porch, or sitting by a roaring fire.

INGREDIENTS

Pumpkin spice hot cocoa is easy to make in 15 minutes with some simple ingredients you may already have at home.

• Whole milk
• Heavy whipping cream
• Semi-sweet chocolate bar (high-quality)
• Sea salt
• Maple syrup
• Pumpkin pie spice
• Pure vanilla extract
• OPTIONAL: Mini marshmallows or whipped cream

EASY INGREDIENT SUBSTITUTIONS

Missing an ingredient for this pumpkin spice hot chocolate recipe? Don’t put on your shoes and head to the store. Instead, head to your fridge and pantry. Check for these easy ingredient swaps.

It’s convenient and money-saving to use ingredients you already have on hand!

• WHOLE MILK: Use 2% instead. Although non-fat milk can also be used, this delicious beverage will lose its satisfying mouthfeel. The sumptuous sensation of thick rich texture is just as important as flavor and taste.
• SEMI-SWEET SOLID CHOCOLATE: A bar of dark chocolate is the best swap. It’s more intensely chocolaty and less sugary, so you might need to add a little sugar to balance out the flavor. You can also use semi-sweet chocolate chips. Milk chocolate will give hot cocoa a sweeter flavor. If using that, you may need a pinch of salt to offset sweetness.
• SEA SALT: This ingredient wakes up the chocolate. It enhances the flavor. It makes this drink more delicious. If you’re on limited salt intake, go ahead and just skip this ingredient.
• PUMPKIN PIE SPICE: Sub with 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
• MAPLE SYRUP: Sub with light brown sugar or granulated sugar.
• VANILLA EXTRACT: Sub with brandy, amber rum, or bourbon.

RECIPE STEPS

• STEP 1: Gather ingredients together. Pull out a liquid measuring cup and measuring spoons. Roughly chop or snap the semi-sweet chocolate bar into small chunks.
• STEP 2: In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring milk and cream to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally. Once the milk starts to bubble, add in the chocolate pieces and a pinch of salt. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Remove pan from heat. Add maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla extract. Stir briefly to combine.
• STEP 3: Pour pumpkin spice hot chocolate into a coffee mug.
• STEP 4: If desired, top with mini marshmallows or whipped cream. Garnish with a light sprinkling of pumpkin pie spice. Enjoy!

HOW TO RAMP UP THE FLAVOR: Add a bit of espresso. It’s an easy way to enhance the flavor of chocolate. Or drizzle this creamy beverage with thick chocolate syrup and caramel.

RECIPE FAQ

These are the most commonly asked questions when making pumpkin spice hot chocolate, and the most helpful answers for recipe success.

MORE DRINK RECIPES TO MAKE ASAP

If you loved this homemade Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate Starbucks, you’ll really enjoy these trendy coffee house and eatery favorites. Add them to your recipe arsenal now so you’ll have them at the ready.

• MAPLE WHIPPED COFFEE
• ICED VANILLA LATTE
• HIBISCUS TEA
• HORCHATA
• WATERMELON SLUSHIE

RATE THIS RECIPE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When friends come over for evening visits around the backyard fire pit, they often enjoy mugs of this pumpkin spice hot chocolate. They rave about how delicious it is, and how they look forward to enjoying it here at our house.

If you too love this easy drink with a Starbucks vibe, give the hot cocoa a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. Share it with a friend.

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