Easy Homemade Pumpkin Sauce for Fall Drinks
If you love adding a little pumpkin spice to your favorite fall drinks, this easy homemade pumpkin sauce is one of those recipes you’ll want to keep in the refrigerator all season long. Made with just a handful of simple ingredients, this creamy pumpkin sauce comes together in minutes and doesn’t require any cooking. It’s an easy way to bring those cozy fall flavors to your favorite drinks without making a complicated syrup.
Reader Summary
In this post, you will learn:
- How to make an easy homemade pumpkin sauce with just five simple ingredients
- How to make a creamy pumpkin spice sauce without cooking
- The best ways to use pumpkin sauce in coffee, chai tea, milk, and other fall beverages
- How to store homemade pumpkin sauce in the refrigerator
- How long pumpkin sauce will stay fresh
- Simple ways to customize the pumpkin spice flavor to your liking
If you’re looking for more cozy fall recipes to make at home, be sure to check out these other seasonal favorites: Sourdough Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Pumpkin Icing, Easy Baked Oatmeal Recipe, Pumpkin Cold Foam Recipe: 5-Minute Fall Coffee Upgrade, or while you enjoy your pumpkin beverage, have a warm slice of Cozy Pumpkin Bread!
Why I’m In Love With This Pumpkin Sauce
Every year, I get so excited when the leaves start changing, the temperatures start cooling down, and I can officially go into full pumpkin mode. I try to make as many pumpkin things as I possibly can while the season lasts because I just love it that much!
And fall pumpkin drinks are at the very top of my list.
I used to love going through the drive-through at different coffee shops and trying all of their seasonal pumpkin drinks. There is one Seattle-based coffee company in particular that completely stole my heart with their pumpkin spice latte. It was always one of my favorite fall treats, but those $8 coffee runs just weren’t in the budget anymore.
So I started looking for a way to make my own pumpkin spice latte at home.
After doing a little research, I learned that the coffee shop uses a pumpkin sauce in their pumpkin spice latte. And that got me thinking: I need to make my own pumpkin sauce!
After some experimenting, I came up with this simple version using just a handful of ingredients. And while I originally made it because I wanted to recreate my favorite pumpkin coffee at home, I quickly realized that the sauce could be used for so much more.
It’s delicious stirred into coffee or chai tea, but you can also mix it into milk for a simple pumpkin spice milk, spoon it over ice cream, and probably find about a dozen other ways to use it once you have a jar sitting in your refrigerator.
So yes, I’m pretty much obsessed with this recipe. It’s something I’m planning to keep on hand all fall long, and I hope you love it as much as I do!
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Sauce
- No cooking required: Just whisk everything together and refrigerate.
- Made with simple ingredients: You only need five ingredients.
- Perfect for fall drinks: Add it to coffee, chai tea, milk, and more.
- Make it once and enjoy it all week: One batch makes 16 servings.
- Creamy and flavorful: Sweetened condensed milk gives this sauce a rich, creamy texture while pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice bring all the fall flavor.
Ingredients
Sweetened Condensed Milk
A 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk creates the creamy, sweet base for this pumpkin sauce.
Pumpkin Puree
Use plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. The pumpkin adds beautiful color and plenty of pumpkin flavor.
Vanilla
A little vanilla extract rounds out the flavors and adds warmth.
Pumpkin Pie Spice
I use my homemade pumpkin pie spice blend, but your favorite store-bought pumpkin pie spice will work beautifully too.
Salt
Just a small amount of salt helps balance the sweetness and brings all of the flavors together.
How to Make Pumpkin Sauce
This pumpkin sauce couldn’t be easier to make.
1. Combine the ingredients
In a medium bowl, add the sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
2. Whisk
Whisk everything together until well blended and smooth.
3. Refrigerate
Transfer the pumpkin sauce to an airtight container. I like to use a pint-sized Mason jar for easy storage and serving.
Store in the refrigerator and use within 5–7 days.
Pumpkin Spice Sauce (Better Than Starbucks!)
Ingredients
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tsp` pumpkin pie spice I use my homemade blend!
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add in the sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Whisk until well blended.
- Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Use within 5-7 days. Enjoy in your favorite beverages like coffee, chai tea, and even use in milk for a pumpkin spice sweet milk.
How to Use Pumpkin Sauce
There are so many ways to enjoy this easy pumpkin sauce throughout the fall.
Pumpkin Spice Coffee
Stir pumpkin sauce into your morning coffee for an easy homemade pumpkin spice coffee. Add as much or as little as you like depending on how sweet and pumpkin-spiced you want your coffee.
Pumpkin Chai Tea
Add a spoonful to a warm cup of chai tea for a cozy pumpkin chai that’s perfect for crisp fall mornings and afternoons.
Pumpkin Spice Milk
For something simple, stir the pumpkin sauce into warm or cold milk for a sweet pumpkin spice milk. This is especially delicious when you want all those fall flavors without making a full coffee or tea.
Other Fall Beverages
You can also experiment with adding this sauce to your favorite homemade fall drinks. It’s an easy way to add creamy pumpkin spice flavor to your favorite beverages.
How to Store Pumpkin Sauce
Store the pumpkin sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I use a pint-sized Mason jar because it’s easy to keep in the refrigerator and makes it simple to scoop out a little whenever I’m making a drink.
Use within 5–7 days.
Because this sauce contains pumpkin and dairy, don’t leave it sitting at room temperature for extended periods of time. Return it to the refrigerator after use.
Pumpkin Sauce Variations
Use Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
My favorite way to make this sauce is with my homemade pumpkin pie spice blend. If you already have a jar of homemade pumpkin spice in your pantry, this is a great way to use it.
Adjust the Spice
Want a stronger pumpkin spice flavor? Add a little extra pumpkin pie spice. Prefer something more subtle? Start with less and add more to taste.
Make It Extra Pumpkin-y
For a stronger pumpkin flavor, you can experiment with adding a little more pumpkin puree. Keep in mind that this can change the consistency and sweetness of the finished sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pumpkin sauce the same as pumpkin syrup?
Not quite. Pumpkin syrup is generally a thinner, pourable syrup made with sugar and water, while this homemade pumpkin sauce is creamy and rich thanks to the sweetened condensed milk.
Do I have to cook pumpkin sauce?
No! That’s one of the things I love most about this recipe. Simply whisk all of the ingredients together until well blended. No stovetop or cooking is required.
How long does homemade pumpkin sauce last?
Store the pumpkin sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use it within 5–7 days.
Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?
I recommend using plain pumpkin puree. Pumpkin pie filling already contains added sugar and spices, which would change the flavor and consistency of this recipe.
How much pumpkin sauce is one serving?
One serving is 2 tablespoons, and this recipe makes 16 servings.
In Closing
A little homemade pumpkin sauce is such an easy thing to keep in the refrigerator during the fall. Whether you’re making your morning coffee, brewing a cup of chai, or simply craving a sweet pumpkin spice milk, you can have that cozy fall flavor ready in minutes and with only a few basic ingredients.
If you make this recipe, I would love to know what you think! Please come back and leave an update in the comments!
Happy Fall my friend!
XO, Bri
More Recipes For Your Fall Mornings
If you’re building a cozy fall coffee or beverage routine, here are a few more recipes to keep on hand. From homemade coffee concentrate to pumpkin spice and creamy pumpkin cold foam, these recipes make it easy to bring your favorite fall coffeehouse flavors home!
Let’s Stay Connected!
If you liked this recipe, I would love to connect with you beyond the blog! Follow along with me for more from-scratch recipes, sourdough, seasonal recipes, and cozy home inspiration on these other platforms.
