Pumpkin Spice Syrup!

Oh my goodness. I think I am in love. Every year around this time I eagerly anticipate the arrival of pumpkin creamer. I would love to say I cure my craving by stopping by some cute coffee shop, but I do not. I don't have it in me to dole out that much for their drinks. I stumbled upon this Pumpkin Spice Syrup recipe from Annie's Eats. I pinned another one of her recipes on Pinterest and ever since I have been visiting her site daily. That's a whole different post about my Pinterest addiction.



Pumpkin Spice Syrup (adapted from Annie's Eats)

Go get it:

1½ cups water

1½ cups sugar
4 cinnamon sticks (You could use 2-3 tsp. ground cinnamon, but it may be slightly gritty.)
1 tsp. ground nutmeg (I used half of this amount as I used real nutmeg and ground it myself.)
½ tsp. ground ginger
½ tsp. ground cloves
4 tbsp. pumpkin puree
1 tsp. vanilla extract (Oops, not in the picture. Vanilla likes to be fashionably late....)

Go make it:

Combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat until sugar has dissolved; stirring once in a while. Once sugar has dissolved add cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves and pumpkin. If you don't want this as "spice-y" you can reduce the amount of cloves and nutmeg. Fresh ground nutmeg is very "spice-y." Make sure mixture doesn't boil, but it should simmer. We don't want this to turn into candy, although that would be something to try! :) Cook for 5 minutes or so until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let sit until it has cooled a little. It will thicken as it cools. Strain this mixture through a cheesecloth or do like I do and use a giant coffee filter. Once strained stir in vanilla. This will last about a month in the fridge. Well, maybe at your house.  ;)

Now you know what that goofy side of your grater is for. And, no that is not a gigantic piece of nutmeg. It's a super duper cutie-pa-tootie mini grater!

This isn't looking so good, but smells amazeballs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Giant coffee filters are my friend.

This is after about 15 minutes of straining. I like to use the cinnamon sticks to stir it. This gets things a moving. I was totally tempted to take a little bite here because it reminded me of apple butter, but knew better. 

 

 

 

 

 

To get frothy steamed milk just pour desired amount of milk in your cup. Microwave until hot and steamy, but take care not to boil the milk over! Then take a narrow whisk and roll it between your palms like you are trying to start a fire. What? You've never tried to start a fire with a whisk before? Whisk for as long as your heart desires or until your hands hurt. Ta da!

 

 

 

Pour in your shot of espresso, coffee or heck even hot cocoa. Add pumpkin spice syrup to taste. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh look at that perfection!