Fall is coming just around the corner and everything pumpkin or pumpkin spice is everywhere! I recently just saw Limited Edition Pumpkin Spice Twinkies at the grocery store! I mean it has got to be good because the box says limited edition right? Maybe. Maybe not, but they sure did look good. Although they were extremely tempting, I did not cave in. Mainly because my husband just gave me that look as he said "Really?". I said, "Ummmm... of course not. I was just looking.", but in my head I was thinking... but they are pumpkin spice! You just don't see it too often. Pumpkin spice things ONLY come out a few weeks of the year. Oh well. I guess I am going to have to make my own pumpkin spice things to satisfy my cravings.
Of course the first thing I had to make was Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. Oh my goodness! That coffee drink just screams Fall! I love the combination of warm spices that make up pumpkin spice. Then you add it to cold coffee with a few other ingredients and you have yourself one heck of a drink. If you do not have pumpkin spice at home, don't fret! You can can easily make it yourself.
Here is the recipe:
Pumpkin Spice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground cloves
Combine all ingredients together and store in an airtight container.
Now that you know how to make pumpkin spice, don't go putting it everything. People may start to look at you weird. Although, you could always blame it on the Fall season. I do!
One thing I wanted to add is that we can have pumpkin puree on the Medifast plan. Hallelujah because you know how much I love pumpkin! We can not have a whole bunch of it, but 1 tbsp of pumpkin puree is 1 Condiment. A little bit of pumpkin can go a long way, especially in your shakes! I usually get the canned pumpkin because it is convenient. You are probably wondering well gosh... that whole can of pumpkin is going to go to waste if I can only have one tbsp at a time. You are right, but I found a way to save my pumpkin! I put one tbsp of pumpkin in each compartment of an ice tray.
Then I freeze the tray and then add the pumpkin cubes into a Ziploc bag. I used a small sandwich sized Ziploc bag for one small can of pumpkin puree. Make sure you do not use the pumpkin pie filling which is usually next to the pumpkin puree.
Then when you need one tbsp of pumpkin puree for your shake, your brownies, your pancakes or whatever you may have in mind, just grab one of those frozen cubes. It is easy peasy because you already measured it out.
To make the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino, add one of these pumpkin puree cubes in a blender.
Then add really cold coffee. I like to use this coffee because it is really bold and strong. I say the stronger the better when it comes to coffee!
Next add pumpkin spice and ground cinnamon. I actually had some pumpkin spice in my pantry, so I didn't have to use the recipe above. Once I do run out, I will be making more!
I added Walden Farms Maple Walnut Syrup to the coffee drink because I think it enhances the flavor. I am not a huge fan of all Walden Farms products, but I do like their sugar free syrups. You could also use Torani, DaVinci, or Skinny Girl syrups.
Add everything into a blender with a few more ice cubes. Blend and enjoy this delicious treat!
Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino
Ingredients:
3/4 cups cold strong coffee
1/2 cup unsweetened cashew milk (1/2 Condiment)
1 tbsp pumpkin puree (1 Condiment)
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon (1/4 Condiment)
1/8 tsp pumpkin spice (1/4 Condiment)
1 tbsp Walden Farms Walnut Maple Syrup or sugar free pumpkin pie syrup such as Torani, Da Vinci or Skinny Girl (1/2 Condiment)
1 pkg Optavia Vanilla Shake or a scoop of protein powder (1 Fueling)
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender.
Add desired amount of ice and blend until smooth.
Makes 1 Serving
1 Fueling and 2.5 Condiments
