Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer
I LOVE pumpkin spice lattes during the fall. But, especially the Starbucks version, is packed with refined sugar, preservatives, and artificial flavors. This recipe is quick and easy to make. It keeps well in your fridge and tastes like everything I dream of when I think Pumpkin Spice. Just brew coffee at home, add this creamer and take a big sip of fall!
Ingredients
1.5 cup milk (I prefer unsweetened coconut milk
2 tbs pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
2.5 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 tbs Grade B/Dark maple syrup (add more to taste if you like things sweet)
Directions
Add all ingredients to a small saucepan
Heat over low heat for 5-10 minutes or until hot
Whisk together with a fork, whisk or immersion blender
Brew coffee your favorite way
Add creamer to your hot coffee to your taste
Store the rest in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to one week
Goodies In this Recipe
Pumpkin-Pumpkin is high in beta-carotene which your body converts to vitamin A, essential for eye health. In addition, one cup of pumpkin contains 7g of fiber and 3g of extra protein.
Maple Syrup-REAL maple syrup is AMAZING stuff! Make sure to look for the Grade B kind as it is the least refined and still has all the good stuff in it. Nutrient-wise, maple syrup contains calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus sodium, potassium, and zinc as well as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and B6 are also found in maple syrup. It's also a sweetener with a glycemic index meaning it gives you energy without causing a sugar crash.
Organic Coffee-Non organic coffee has particularly high levels of pesticides and toxins because of the growing and harvesting process. Organic coffee is free of those and has some other amazing health benefits. Coffee has a high anti-oxidant content that has been shown to decrease inflammation in the body and may reduce the risk of diseases like cancer. A study, published in the "Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism," found coffee may also help to prevent and treat diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels after meals. So drink up!