...break out the sweaters, the crispness of fall is in the air!
To me the first real true signs of fall aren't necessarily the orange pumpkins sprouting in the country fields, or the first few leaves turning blazing reds, burnt oranges or cheery yellows. (Although, it is my favorite season hands down and I absolutely live for all things fall ) I know it's fall the moment I find out Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte's are back!!
Yep, the 380 calorie annual autumn treat for me is the epitome of the beginning of fall. I wouldn't necessarily call myself a Starbuck's Snob (I hit McDonalds each morning for my $0.63 just as good coffee each morning... oooh, slam, I went there! :)) but This little treat is a must for me each season - even though I get corrected every time I order a large..
Anyway, each year I try to make baked treats for each season. ie; Winter = peppermints, ginger, etc. Last fall I played around with pumpkin desserts. I stumbled upon pumpkin cupcakes...which then led to pumpkin spice... which then lead me to Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes! Brilliant! I excitedly googled this idea and found out I wasn't the only brilliant person to think of this. But, because I'm stubborn, I needed to make it my own.
I started off with a pretty basic cake recipe and added pureed pumpkin, festive fall spices, espresso, etc. Once the cupcakes baked and came out of the oven I dabbed the tops with a little more espresso. Then when cooled I piped on homemade whipped cream, drizzled some caramel and sprinkled with cinnamon.
d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s.....
The good news is that I can get this pumpkin spice latte flavor year round... the bad news is that I can get this pumpkin spice latte flavor year round! :)
