Kat's Kitchen

September is here, and for many of us, that means one thing: pumpkin-flavored everything! While it’s tempting to swing by your local coffee shop for a festive pumpkin drink, making your own cozy and delicious creations at home can be just as fun—plus, it saves you money.

If you’re looking for a new twist on your usual pumpkin spice latte, I’ve got just the thing: a delicious Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte that combines the creamy, comforting flavors of pumpkin, cheesecake, and coffee. You are going to love it!

This drink is perfect for a cool autumn morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up. It’s indulgent yet simple to make, using ingredients you probably already have at home. With the rich, sweet flavor of Torani Pumpkin Sauce, a hint of cheesecake, and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, this latte feels like fall in a cup. The best part? You don’t have to wait in line at a coffee shop to enjoy it!

Ingredients Needed to Make This Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte At Home:

• Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce: This Pumpkin Pie Sauce screams fall time! It seriously tastes like liquid pumpkin pie, and if you haven’t tried it already, you need to! This Pumpkin Pie Sauce will go inside the cup as well as drizzled overtop for extra pumpkin-flavored deliciousness. If you want a lower sugar option, you could combine the Torani Sugar Free Pumpkin Pie Syrup and a sugar free sweetened condensed milk to get the same drizzle action and delicious flavor, but for less sugar! Note, I do share a Homemade Pumpkin Spice Sauce in this recipe that you could use instead!

• Brewed Espresso: Since this drink is a latte, we need espresso. Espresso is made by pushing hot water at high temperatures through finely ground coffee. This type of coffee cannot be bought at the store, and needs to be made at home. Whether you have an espresso machine or not, I got you covered. See my post on 5 Ways To Make Espresso At Home for how you can make espresso for this drink and any other espresso based beverages!

• Torani Cheesecake Syrup: I love the Torani Cheesecake Syrup! It has a deliciously sweet dessert-like flavor that pairs so nicely with espresso and pumpkin flavors! You can find this syrup on Amazon as well as the Torani Website. Alternatively, you could use a Cheesecake Flavored Extract. Add 1 teaspoon to your drink for a fabulous cheesecake flavor, without the sweetness!

• Milk: Again, this drink is a latte, so we need some type of milk. You can use whatever milk you like best for a latte: oat milk, soy milk, almond milk, 2% milk, whole milk, skim milk, whatever you love most. For an iced latte, you will need cold milk, and for a hot latte, you will need to steam the milk. I’ll share various milk steaming methods later in this recipe!

• Ice: If you’re making an Iced Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte, you will need ice! For a hot version, no ice is needed.

• Whipped Cream: One of my favorite easy toppings for lattes is whipped cream. It gives the drink an extra sweetness and creaminess. You can opt for a store bought whipped cream, or you can make your own at home with Vanilla Syrup and heavy whipping cream in a whipped cream dispenser (and N20 chargers). Feel free to use a dairy-free or sugar-free whipped topping substitute based on your preferences.

• Pumpkin Pie Spice: I love a good pumpkin pie spice action on top of my fall drinks. This spice adds such a lovely fall flavored scent and flavor to any drink. Feel free to add cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, or ground cloves instead.

Since espresso is an essential ingredient in this recipe, let’s dive into how to make espresso at home for our Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte.

How Can I Make Espresso At Home?

There are five ways to make espresso at home:

• Instant Espresso Powder
• Nespresso Machine
• Moka Pot
• Aeropress
• Espresso Machine

See my 5 Ways To Make Espresso At Home blog post for step by step instructions of each espresso making method!

Once you establish which method you want to use for making espresso, then we can decide on exactly which coffee products to buy!

What’s The Best Coffee to Use For Espresso?

If you are using an espresso machine, a Moka Pot, or an Aeropress to make espresso, these are my recommended coffees:

• Laka Java Wahine Blonde Roast Espresso (Use code: katerinafaith for 10% off)
• Press Coffee Twitch Espresso Beans
• Blue Bottle Coffee Espresso Beans

If you are using a Nespresso machine, these are my recommended espresso pods:

• Double Espresso Dolce (each pods is two shots of espresso)
• Double Espresso Chairo (each pods is two shots of espresso)
• Peru Organic (each pods is one shot of espresso)

If you are using instant espresso, these are my recommended espresso powders:

• Nescafe Gold Instant Espresso (light/blonde roast)
• Cafe Bustelo Instant Espresso (dark roast)

Note for instant espresso, I like to follow the following ratios:

• Single shot: 1/4 tablespoon instant espresso + 1.25 ounces warm water
• Double shot: 1/2 tablespoon instant espresso + 2.5 ounces warm water
• Triple shot: 3/4 tablespoon instant espresso + 3.75 ounces warm water
• Quad shot: 1 tablespoon instant espresso + 5 ounces warm water

What is a “Shot” of Espresso?

A common espresso term you’ll see a lot is a “shot” of espresso. When you brew espresso using an espresso machine, the liquid that comes out of the machine is considered a shot, since the machine pushes out the liquid at high pressure.

• A single shot or one shot of espresso is roughly 1.25 ounces of liquid.
• A double shot is roughly 2.5 ounces of liquid.
• A tripe shot is roughly 3.75 ounces of liquid.
• A quad shot is roughly 5 ounces of liquid.

How To Steam Milk For a Hot Latte?

All hot lattes require steamed milk as one of the ingredients. To steam milk at home, you have a few options:

1. Steam Wand: If you have an espresso machine with a steam wand attached to it, watch this Milk Steaming Video Tutorial for how to steam milk! You simply add milk to a milk frothing pitcher, insert the tip of the steam wand into the milk, and create air bubbles, heat and texture to create perfect, velvety steamed milk at home!
2. Electric Milk Frother: Add your milk to an electric milk frother, and select the hot setting. The milk frother will heat the milk as well as create a thick and foamy texture. The texture will be a little different than a typical steam wand, but it’s very similar and pleasant, and a great option if you don’t have an espresso machine with a steam wand.
3. Handheld Milk Frother: Add cold milk to a large coffee mug and place the mug in the microwave for 60 seconds. Alternatively, you can heat up milk in a pot on the stove until warm, just make sure to constantly stir it so it doesn’t burn. Once your milk is warm, insert a handheld milk frother into the warm milk. Froth the mixture until the milk doubles in size and becomes bubbly and frothy, and you have steamed milk for your hot latte!

Note, for an iced latte, you do not need to warm or steam the milk. Simply skip this step, and use cold milk straight from the fridge.

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Sauce

If you prefer to make your own homemade Pumpkin Spice Sauce instead of using the Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce, follow this recipe!

• ¼ cup cane sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup water
• ⅔ cup pumpkin puree
• 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
• ¾ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. In a small pot or saucepan, add cane sugar, brown sugar, and water and place over medium heat. Stir to dissolve the sugar, and then bring the mixture to a simmer.
2. Once simmering, add in the pumpkin puree, sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin pie spice, and salt, and stir to combine.
3. Allow the sauce to come to a boil, and then reduce to simmer and allow the mixture to simmer for 3-5 minutes.
4. Remove the pot/saucepan from the burner, add the vanilla extract, and stir to combine.
5. Cool at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before adding it to a jar or a container.
6. Once completely cooled, add a lid and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

How to Make an Iced Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte

1. Brew a double shot of espresso using an espresso machine, Nespresso machine, Moka pot, Aeropress or instant espresso powder, then set aside.
2. To a separate cup, add Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce all around the inside of the cup, and then add in the Torani Cheesecake Syrup.
3. Add the espresso shots into the cup and then add in the milk and ice.
4. Top with whipped cream, more Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce drizzle, and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice!

How to Make a Hot Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte

1. Brew a double shot of espresso using an espresso machine, Nespresso machine, Moka pot, Aeropress or instant espresso powder, then set aside.
2. To a separate mug, add Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce all around the inside of the mug, and then add in the Torani Cheesecake Syrup and espresso shots.
3. Pour milk into a milk frothing pitcher and steam using a steam wand. You could also froth the milk inside an aerroccino, or microwave the milk for 60 seconds in the microwave and froth with a handheld milk frother until thick and frothy.
4. Pour the steamed/frothed milk over the espresso mixture, and top with whipped cream, more Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce drizzle, and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice!

How Can I Make A Low Sugar or Sugar Free Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte?

To make a lower sugar or sugar free Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte:

• Use Cheesecake Flavored Extract instead of the Torani Cheesecake Syrup.
• Use the Torani Sugar Free Pumpkin Pie Syrup and a sugar free sweetened condensed milk to make your own Sugar Free Pumpkin Pie Sauce! I like to do 1 tablespoon of the syrup and 1/2 tablespoon of the condensed milk.
• Use unsweetened almond milk for the milk inside the latte.
• Use a sugar free whipped topping.

How Can I Make This Dairy Free?

• Combine the Torani Pumpkin Pie Syrup or the Torani Sugar Free Pumpkin Pie Syrup and Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk or Sweetened Condensed Oat Milk to make your own Sugar Free Pumpkin Pie Sauce! I like to do 1 tablespoon of the syrup and 1/2 tablespoon of the condensed milk.
• Use any plant based milk for the base of the latte.
• Use a plant based whipped topping such as coconut whipped topping or oat milk whipped topping. You could even make your own dairy free whipped topping at home with Vanilla Syrup and dairy free heavy whipping cream in a whipped cream dispenser (and N20 chargers).

How Can I Make This Drink as a Cold Brew or an Iced Coffee?

Going from a hot or iced latte to a cold brew/iced coffee is simple! You’ll need:

• Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce (for drizzling around the cup and on top)
• 1-2 tablespoons Torani Cheesecake Syrup
• 12-16 ounces cold brew or iced coffee
• Ice
• 2-3 tablespoons milk/half & half/heavy cream (or your preferred milk/creamer for cold brew/iced coffee)
• Whipped cream
• Pumpkin Pie Spice

1. Drizzle the Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce all around the inside of your cup, and then add in the Torani Cheesecake Syrup, the cold brew/iced coffee, ice, and milk/half & half/heavy cream/etc.
2. Top with whipped cream, more Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce drizzle, a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, and enjoy!

How Can I Turn This Into a Frappe/Blended Coffee?

For a Pumpkin Cheesecake Frappe, combine the following in a blender:

• 1 cup milk
• 1-2 tablespoons Torani Cheesecake Syrup or Cheesecake Flavored Extract or Sugar Free Cheesecake Instant Pudding.
• 1-2 teaspoons instant coffee
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 3/4 cups ice

Blend the ingredients until smooth. Then, drizzle the Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce all around the inside of your cup, add in the frappe, and top with whipped cream, more Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce drizzle, a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, and enjoy!

How Can I Make This Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte Using a Keurig?

If you’re using the shot option on your Keurig:

1. Add Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce all around the inside of your cup, and then add the Torani Cheesecake Syrup.
2. Brew 2-4 ounces of coffee into your cup, and add 4-6 ounces of cold milk and add ice to fill the cup. For a hot latte, add 4-6 ounces of STEAMED MILK and no ice.
3. Top with whipped cream, more Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce drizzle, a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, and enjoy!

For a regular hot or iced coffee using a Keurig:

1. Add Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce all around the inside of your cup, and then add the Torani Cheesecake Syrup.
2. Brew 8-12 ounces of your favorite kpod right into the cup, and add 1-3 tablespoons of heavy cream/half & half/milk, and add ice to fill the cup. For a hot coffee, don’t add any ice.
3. Top with whipped cream, more Torani Pumpkin Pie Sauce drizzle, a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, and enjoy!

This Pumpkin Cheesecake Latte is a fun, indulgent way to enjoy pumpkin season without leaving your house. The combination of rich pumpkin and creamy cheesecake flavors with the bold espresso is the perfect treat for any fall day. So, why not try this new combo and savor the season from the comfort of home?

Feel free to customize the drink to your taste—experiment with different types of milk or adjust the sweetness with more or less syrup. The beauty of making coffee at home is that it’s completely up to you! Happy sipping!